Jay's "Ugly Truth" video

I was in heaven with my AKG K340 and my Sansui alpha...

But being an audiophile i decided even if i was completely happy to order an amplifier i dreamed about for years... nevermind his brand name, it is not the subject here...

It takes 20 minutes to decide to return it... One of the most well reviewed tube amplifier for headphone in the world....Versus a 35 years headphone out of a S.S. amplifier...

I was satisfied with my system Sansui anyway because on all acoustic counts all was perfect for me...

I lost 400 US dollars in postal fees, insurance, customs fees... I am let with nothing because i did not listen to my acoustic knowledge but to my curiosity of audiophile ...😊

Upgrading is stupid half the time... Especially when you understand what are the acoustic meanings behind audio experience by learning experiments as i did...

Call this an "error" caused by a slight OCD in audio.... The same obsession that guided me through one year full time acoustic experiments ... But doing this i learned something in acoustic... What did i learn with my "upgrade" ?

I learn that it is acoustic experience and synergy that define what is a good sound first, not marketing or price tag...

I will never upgrade my amp. nor my headphone...

Not even my small optimized active speakers box, because for the price after modifications i hit the jackpot, with my modifications they sound at their optimal level...They did not compare with their sound right out of the box...

Now how it will cost for me for a real upgrade of all my system ?

10,000 bucks minimum ...For a 700 bucks system....

I will listen music and i will forgot upgrading...

😁

And i dont say it because my sound is average... It is not.... It is more than good in the ratio S.Q. /price...

Music is the only cure for sound obsession... Buy music...Or buy books... I never regret the cost of all my books reading and music listenings ...And it is way over my audio cost... it was the cost of a house... 😊

OCD in science, philosophy, meditation, martial arts, books, gardening, art etc can be enlightening and helping in a way ... But buying gear by obsession is preposterous if you dont have the money to begin with... Most people dont... And those who have the money anyway dont even bother to study and experiment with acoustic, they really think that they dont need to... I remember the sound of Jay room few years ago.... It was bad ... With gear of price tag near my first house price...Very bad... Musical has nothing to do with "details"....I had more details with the tube amp. i returned on the spot than with my Sansui by the way ... Lesson learned...

I thought the video was pretty good, although I did skim through some of it. I’ve never watched any of his other ones. Being of an addictive nature anyway, I do have to remind myself on and off that it’s about the music for one and two, it’s supposed to be a hobby to play with and tweak my system (as I have an electronics background, in high end audio). I can relate to laying down to go to sleep at night sometimes, and still reading on my phone about the next good parts I need to buy, or interconnect cable, etc., etc. Fortunately, I’m retired now and don’t have kids in the house. My wife works a few nights a week so I get to have time in front of the stereo without any problems and fortunately she understands my love for it. I remember as my kids were growing up I pretty much set all of my audio needs to the side and rarely listened to the system.
At times in my marriage we’ve had those “conversations” about the money I’ve spent on my equipment or music, or the time I’m spending working on it compulsively. So I do understand that compulsive area very well. There’s always some better equipment, better capacitors, better, interconnects, better isolation feet/base, better AC filtering, needing new tubes, always looking for a better sounding tube, etc. So yes, it is a real problem for somebody with an addictive nature anyway. A hobby where you have to constantly tell yourself to stop, it’s enough for now, just listen to the music!

I try to balance consumption-based hobbies, like audiophilia, with creation-based hobbies, like woodworking. Usually the remedy for obsession and burn out in one is picking the other back up. The cycles usually last several months, and there's always something to do.

Our time on this planet is short and I see no harm in being obsessed with things that bring joy and a sense of personal enrichment--within reason. If you're not stealing from your kids' plates and futures, neglecting your wife, and mortgaging your house for audio equipment that costs more than it, knock yourself out. If you are, stop.

Never been able to truly enjoy overspending. It's like somethings telling me Im.oit of line. I appreciate seeing a carefully cobbled together system that punches above it's weight. Many of the virtual systems here reflect a well thought out process leading to an enjoyable experience to the user.

Have often thought how nice it would be to take a tour from system to system and appreciate the myriad results  music lovers have achieved. As far as going down the rabbit hole some care should be taken.  

Audio hobby isn't for those who wishes to be under heels all life.