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State of the Art? I don t care anymore.

I appreciate the endless obsessive quest to reach the next level of audio nirvana. But I am starting to wonder if it is really making me happy. It seems that the relationship between cost and pleasure is by no means linear. Some systems I have assembled seem to have had just enough performance and resolution to reveal how terrible a recording sounded, or how badly I needed to upgrade an associated component -- but didn't sound good enough to get me to the next level of reality. While I guess that is all part of the "fun", I just want to enjoy music again. I still love audio and I love reading all of your posts, but has anyone else sometimes felt this way? Could someone suggest a romantically, musically colored component or system where, despite their audiophile credentials and enthusiasm, they have forgotten about the equipment and just listened to music? I don't care about earth shattering volume, the deepest bass, the finest resolution, extended highs, accuracy, rock solid imaging etc. Just want to enjoy music again. I know this is not necessarily a new idea, but I find it very very difficult to achieve.
cwlondon
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Good thread Cw. Been there, in fact still going-- but haven't reached your level of desparation yet. I smoked cigarettes for 19 years and then quit "cold turkey", and I've now been off cigs for 20+ years. Well, HiFi is more addictive. The problem is we all go beyond the "knee" of the famous diminishing returns curve, ie we spend a lot more money for rapidly decreasing music quality/character. But music, not hifi, is good for us, so my suggestion is to set yourself a fixed "brick wall" (can't even get away from "hifi" talk in philosophical maundering) budget, say $5K, and put together a musical system based on that amount-- give yourself a plus or minus 10%, and that's it-- no more hifi gear. Spend the rest of your money on music. I'd base such a system on a decent integrated, maybe tubed, and go from there. But don't spend one cent more than your budget on your "system". Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Cheers. Craig.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Now for a musical inexpensive system John 1 I tink you've got it!! Oh the midrange magic of the Spica's. Nobody did it better for the dough.
stokjoc
43 posts
 
I think you must first start with the objective of building a system to serve the type of music you most like to listen to. Every type of configuration has it's strong points and weaknesses. I would then visit every audio store you can and relate your objectives to a competant salesman. You might also join a local audio club and try to network. I personally love tube equipment and nearfield listening but that might not float your boat. I am purposely avoiding the name game because personal discovery part of the fun.
njonker
107 posts
 
This is an interesting subject. I guess for me this has always been about the music. I have improved my system as I saw the need to better experience the music and as budget allows. The system I have now is my first 'high end' system by most definitions. It happened because I was looking for better music representation, and this just produced that. I am now done, I guess until I find a major flaw in the music experience through this system.
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