Has it all been worth it?
I recently turned 63, and I've been into all things audio since the mid 70's. In that time I've spent countless thousands of dollars chasing that damn rabbit down the hole. Solid state, vinyl, cassette, CD, tubes, big speakers, small speakers, pricy gear, cheap gear...been there, done that. Sitting here in my less than acoustically friendly office listening to a Hi-Res version of Angie by TRS this is probably the nicest stereo I've ever had. And even with my compromised hearing (bouts of tinnitus, and a stroke) I know the music sounds as good as it ever has, but yet I can't help but ask myself - has this journey all been worth it? The money, soul searching, reviews, disappointment in the review when it didn't live up to the hype, "am I missing out by not owning _____" etc. Sometimes I wish I were more like my wife who just bought a cheap shelf unit to listen to her CD's and is perfectly pleased with what she hears.
Anyone else find themself at this point sometimes?
Well worth the journey and as they say with motorcycles "$2 of gas is worth $2k in therapy". Been playing this game since I got my first crystal radio (shaped like a cartoon rocket 4" tall). It was tuned by moving the nosecone antenna in and out and had the obligatory 2 cent ear piece. We're talkin' late 50s here. I did the same thing as @biwire and collected speakers from thrown away TVs and music consoles. Built my first subwoofer at 14. Bought my first REAL stereo from Radio Shack at 16. My dad thought I was completely bonkers, whole thing cost $400. He was driving a car that cost very little more than that. Fast forward a bit and I started to make real money and it was off to the races. In the @ghdprentice mode of upgrading, it was a clean sweep, all new and exciting. Now I'm on my last/best system and it's not going anywhere. With the past as prologue, the best constant in my life has been music. There is always some BS going on. But the music, the music is my synaptic drug of choice. So, to answer your question directly: A RESOUNDING YES! Regards, barts
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One thing I've taken up recently is spending several hundred dollars investing in HiRes music. I've bought & downloaded a lot of music I already owned, but now that I have a system capable of resolving all the extra 1's and 0's , and while I'm selective in what I buy, I'm enjoying these familiar pieces on a whole new level now. |
@retiredaudioguy, +1 At the end of a particularly powerful work by Salonen (who also conducted) at the CSO last month someone's phone went off during the extended decay of the last notes of the performance. You could see Salonen's head drop in disappointment because the moment was ruined for everybody in the auditorium. Turn off your ****** phone!! |
I grew up wanting to get a job as soon as possible, getting a Marantz receiver in my room, getting an affordable car, and installing a nice car stereo. Through the decades that has not changed much for me. However, after a lot of research, once I decide on a home stereo system, I usually keep it for decades. My journey has mostly been going from receivers, to amp/preamp separates, to tube amps/preamps. It has been fun, but, hobby money has always been an issue for me, so, I almost always buy my equipment used. I have also found that most people do not understand the logic for this hobby. |
