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How did U get into this expensive hobby?

So I was up last night listening to my system and thought to myself, when am I going to be 100% satisfy with my set up. Just for once I like to listen without thinking well maybe if I can add this or remove that I can improve on this or that area. A mist all that I thought how did I ever got into this hobby any way? Well, the nightmare began for me when I was working in my college university's periodical section. We had over 3000+ magazines on file. The first stereo magz I ever picked up was the AUDIO annual price list which was about 300 or so pages of all major audio mfg. and models..also known as the audio bible; what ever happened to Audio magazine anyway? I remembered being so intrigued by so many brands that I have never heard of before and how the workmanship and industrial design seemed so much far superior than the average Kenwood and Pioneer back then (no offense to Kenwood and Pioneer owners). This was 10 years ago and I started by scraping every pennies I had to purchase my first NAD integrated amp. Although 10 years have passed, I am still scraping for money to own something new every now and then, but this time instead of pennies, it's dimes a nickels since my tasted have upgrade with my salery. It'd be interesting to hear how some of you fellow audigoners got started in this hobby. Upon adding to this thread, you'll find that you'll get a little grin on your face after spilling your guts out on how you began on this deep pocket journey and how far you have come. Happy Holidays guys and gals.
3chihuahuas
jadem6's avatar
jadem6
1,074 posts
 
Hey Garfish, I'm not sure who your talking to, but this and any audio site is first about the music and then about the "GEAR" used to reproduce it. It would be of little use to have the $35,000 I've invested if I wasn't going to enjoy music. I would guess that if I could find agreement on this site it would be that none of us bought our systems to listen to RF interferance. So don't attack me or anyone else for first caring about the music! The tread was how did I get into this expensive hobby. The music, the pure love of music!
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Oh by the way Leafs I find quite a few music lovers on the audioasylum.com site. Look at the music forum. There are some very serious collectors and music discussions going on there running the full gamut. I have gotten quite an education and have picked up several titles because of that site. Highly recommended.
darmstrongdd98e
6 posts
 
Well it was a rainy day. I was at one of those "Snooty" high end stores picking up a new needle ($25.00) for my "BIC" turntable and I heard some music coming from one of the "High end" rooms. I mentioned to the salesman that the song that was playing was one of my favorites of Joni Mitchell. He asked if I wanted to sit in the room and listen. The room was all Mark Levinson gear and some huge Wilson speakers totalling over $100,000.00. The salesman turned up the volume and told me to sit and listen to the Joni CD for as long as I wanted. Well within 30 seconds I realized I was in sonic nirvana. I heard 3 dimensional sound, depth and separation like never before. Thank goodness that saleman took the opportunity to show me what high end was all about. I have saved and slowly purchased over the past 8 years and have now a system that is one that is very satisfying. Always buying one component at a time, spending as much as possible on it, and then the next year doing the same. Audio retailers must realize that the guy buying a $25.00 needly might one day with the right education and knowledge come back and buy a $2500.00 cartridge (from same salesman).
nomad
21 posts
 
In the early 70s, a buddy and I used to hitchhike about 3 miles down the road to Atlanta's only real hifi store (HI FIDELTY SS I think). Had no business being there (i.e. way out of the summer highschool job budget). Just drooling over the gear. A seed was sown. Saved all summer and bought a Harmon Kardon receiver and no-name speakers. Found a Philips 212 at a second hand store. My first stereo. Went to concerts and collected vinyl. Really enjoyed the music. 25 years go by with an upgrade every 5 years or so to another mass produced stereo. Keep up with the Jones. Last year as I listened to my "decent?" Denon/JBL stereo I noticed I heard the music, but somehow it just wasn't right. Call it midlife crisis if you want. I just wanted a way to find the music again. Well, after saving all year, I'm close to putting together my first audiophile (for lack of a better word) system. Looking for speakers now. I knew I could do better than I had but I AM TOTALLY AMAZED at the music contained in those little CDs. Thanks for the thread, JEFF.
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Jadem6; wasn't really responding to you-- more to Leafs, but I do agree that to the end user, ie you and me, that it really is "about the music". But, IMO, Audiogon is much more narrowly focused on "gear" that makes recorded music great, ie that's what drives this site-- without the gear, no Audiogon. I will admit that the music threads here are some of my favorites, and I usually participate in them. Yes, this hobby is expensive because of the gear, but Audiogon has helped me increase music quality, while keeping gear costs down-- this is a really valuable service. I'll stand by my above post. Cheers. Craig.
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