Am I right for this forum?
I’ve been an Audiogon member for some years now; I remember (fondly) "millercarbon," for example, which will mean something to some of you. And I’ve been a lover of audio equipment since high school—so, for over 50 years (I graduated in 1973). And yet...more and more, I find myself alienated from this forum, even though I do still read it regularly.
I do have what I consider a very "high-fidelity" system. I’ve written a very long account of my "audio journey," complete with many photos, but not "published" it on this site. I’m also a member of our local audio club, which includes several very well-heeled members who have systems costing more than most homes (one of them owns equipment valued at nearly a million dollars, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg: his system is housed in a separate structure purpose-built for it that cost well over a million). I play cello and guitar; my wife plays piano, my daughter piano and violin. We play those instruments in the same room occupied by my main audio system, and so I can attest to the "fidelity" of that system’s reproduction.
And yet...my system cost me less than $3,000 in total. I don’t lust after any particular "upgrade," even though I read reviews and all the many accounts of improvements in "SQ" documented in this forum.
So...am I an "audiophile," or not? Do I belong here, or not?
I’m listening right now to a wonderful bit of Mozart. I also love Tool. And Christy Moore. And Eva Cassidy. And so many others. I agree with Nietzsche: without music, life would be a mistake. But am I an audiophile? Do I belong on this forum?
Any sympathy here? Anyone else feel alienated from the "audiophile community" despite loving the miracle of audio technology?
@tomic601...regards to my home ....the more it changes, the more it stays the same.....😏 But most of that I'd recognize likely doesn't exist anymore..... |
@mahgister , You found it! I was mostly just joshing/joking with you on my earlier post. It came in today btw. On these type of cheap chifi speakers, I usually add bracing, put some no-rez (sold by GR) and I will spend a considerable amt of time with the crossover. I have a stock of the good parts GR sells. That’s the extent of it for me, typically. I have tinkered with many similar cheap speakers, amp kits, etc from AliExpress, e-bay, etc. After it meets my fidelity requirements and I don’t feel like dealing with it anymore, I give it away on FB, artist groups, etc ( possibly creates a few new/young ’audiophiles’ or not....but, keeps the audio stuff cluster in my hoarder’s paradise under control). The Sony (sscs5) was one i couldn’t let go of in recent times, especially after I put the GR upgrade on it...that one’s staying for a bit. It seems like you would enjoy some of the content in the diy audio forums. |
I understand why you like to play with the gear...😊 Myself i am not someone who like to play with things at all ... I am more of a books worm... But i get in the obligation to learn about acoustics because i was going nowhere buying audio gear...😁 My 9 headphnes where trash...😁 even after my improving modifications they do not satisfied me ( save the AKG K340 the best headphone ever created probably but even it need my help 😊 ) I disliked even My Tannoy dual gold concentric...Because during the 40 years i owned them i was ignorant of acoustics science basics ... 😁 After reading acoustics books and articles i felt compelled to experiment... I do it full time 2 years because i was retired and i disliked my audio system , nevermind the upgrades... Things improved a lot when i discovered how to decrease vibrations/reasonance, how to shield my gear from the main panel up, when i played with various minerals to use on my connectors, when i experimented with Helmholtz tuned resonators in a specific grid distributed in the room and the right balance of reflection-absorption-diffusion in my room. i used other controversial devices as shumann generator i modified , at the end the same system was so transformed that they were no comparison between before and after... Unlike most people who dream only to buy new gear pieces, i learned how acoustic knowledge improve the gear way much than most upgrades , the only exception will be to go from cheap speakers to way more refine one , but even this upgrade will not compare if you put these speakers in a living room and then in a room dedicated to the speakers specific properties... Acoustic rules for me the rest is marketting mostly ... 😊
Now i own an headphone able to project the soundfield out of my head with deep bass and natural timbre... And the cheapest speakers i ever owned which i disliked for 10 years became my best one AFTER my modifications ...Thanks to Helmholtz...
Then i became a book worm anew, no need to tinker anymore and i can listen music 5 hours a day in sonic heaven ... 😊
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@asvjerry Yes…it has changed…i’ve spent considerable time in LB and assorted zip codes since 1987 mucking about w jets and stuff that goes higher… You are right…changed…. You know IF you get back here Winters, you are welcome. i expect in the future i i shall be blessed to keep a bottle at the Orange Peel in your neck of the woods… i pray that happens… keep being YOU :-) |
