Did your system getting better the more money you spent or more experience you gained?


This is something that wanted to ask folks. Initially I said I would never spend x amount of dollars in this audio journey. 20 years later I’m here and did what I said I wouldn’t but I’m happier than ever. Best system to this date. But it wasn’t about money only. I gained knowledge on what was possible and the quality and design of the gear I wanted. I see people just throw money into audio and never be happy or satisfied. I think that happens because they don’t think for themselves as well as have the resources? Thoughts ?

calvinj

A combination of the two!!! Actually, system building is a combination of: Your budget, exposure and experience/knowledge. You can’t spend money you don't have, so you have to be very thrifty by maximizing what purchasing power you do have, in order to get the most for your money. For example, about 15 years ago, I spent above my budget for speaker cables.  The speaker cables performance  have withstood the test of time.  I have no plans on replacing my 15 year old speaker cables (money well spent).  My speakers have been around for over 15 years as well, and I have no plans of replacing them either, as they are my end- game speakers (money well spent). I just replaced all the other cables in my system, except for my ethernet cables, only because, for what I paid for them, I felt that there was room for improvement and, I was right. This time, I was able to spend enough to purchase cables that I feel are at that level of diminishing returns. I knew going in what cables I wanted, I searched for them online, pre-owned, which allowed me to purchase cables at a significant discount, that I would have never been able to afford new, at retail prices. The cables that I’ve just purchased perform at such a high level of proficiency that they will be in my system for years and years to come. All my purchases over the past 20 years or so were based on: budget, exposure and experience. Happy listening!!!

More money was the answer.  I knew what I wanted sonically and tried to do it on a lesser budget and it was fine but didn't have that certain something I was looking for.  Now it sings and waxes poetic to me and I am happy with it.

@vitussl101 the truth is you really got to spend a little to get up to the exceptional gear.  With proper matching it sounds great. 

I started down this path when I built a Dyna Stereo 70 at the age of 14.


I am 69 now. I’ll be writing about the journey for this group sometime soon but not today.

My system design can be found at the bottom of the page link below.


The law of diminishing returns applies. I spent more than most, and nowhere near as much as some. I think that it compares well to systems costing up to 10 times as much.

Component matching and room treatment are critical.

 

Sounds "better" but does not mean I enjoy it more. "Better' is a tricky word.