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How often to Audiophiles upgrade their equipment?

I am eternally confused as to how and when I should spend my money. I started into this hobby a little more seriously about 3 years ago and have the bug in full now. I do very much enjoy listening to music. However, there is always confustion on how to spend my money. I am not being very clear. Let me start again.

Currently I have a home theater setup in the family room with a Rotel RSX-972 reciever, B&W 603S3 mains, LCR600 CC, ASW1000 SW, 602S2 surrounds, Sony 999ES DVD/SACD and Sony KP51WS500 TV. I have started a second budget system in the main living room for music only and it has Monitor Audio Bronze B2 speakers, Rotel 1060 Amp, and Rotel 961 CD player.

I am generally quite happy with this setup and enjoy them very much. But off course I am always thinking what can I do better and if I should at all. Having a young family, I doubt I will ever buy some of the very high end euipment or if I would want to. But I have an opportunity to uprgade my speakers now with a very small loss. I was thinking of the 604S3, but having looked at them, they are just too big and frightened me off. The next step up to the B&W CDM series is quite a bit more. But to go to that line, I should probably also upgrade my amplification first.

I guess what I am getting at is, how long do "real" audiophiles stay happy with their equipment and when do they decide it is time to upgrade. For example, I was thinking of always sticking with a budget, and stick with my equipment for say 5 years (unless their is something terribly wrong) and then get new equipment/newer models different brands but using the same amount of money as in the original budget five years earlier.

If this question makes any sense, please relate your thoughts and experiences.
schugh
aceto
273 posts
 
Slappy, the last Slappy I knew was my history teacher and Golden Gloves champ. Slappy used to entertain us in the cafeteria by grasping a fly in front our noses with his massive fist. He would slowly open his fist to reveal the compacted fly. He taught the same way. There was a music point I was going to make...
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artizen65
273 posts
 
I relize this is an older thread but couldnt resist. My first system was put together in 1985. NAD receiver, tt and a pair of bose. In 86 i dumped the bose in favor of a pair of minimus 7's and 2 diy bass cabinets and added a JVC 6 disc changer. This system lasted untill 1990 when I upgraded to an Adcom pre GFP 555II and a pair of Adcom GFA 555's 1 pair of Klipsh 1 pair of Pioneer a Dennon CDP and a yamaha tt with an orthophon om20. This system lasted untill 2001. The reason for a complete system rebuild is a long story. But in 2001 I picked up a pair of B&W CDM9NT and a Dennon DVD2800 then I ended up getting a B&K pre and a B&K amp. At the and of 2003 came the bug. I went in for a few minor upgrades, cables and a power conditioner.

The rest of the story is in my current system (Bit By the Bug). Yes I am tweeking.

The moral of this story is listen to Elizabeth.

Remember to take the system as a whole.

Michael
timf
237 posts
 
It depends what you are in it for. There are many different reasons why a person might want to "upgrade" their equiptment. Personally, I liked EliZabeths last bit of advice. Enjoy yourself now, in the way you feel inclined to do. If it is about exploring then explore. You need not apologize. If you have a sense that your system would benefit from a change, then do it. Even be wrong- or feel you are. You will recover, and maybe be wiser for the risk and happier for the experience. That is a possibility! Or- if you need to be sensible as well as informed, you could forgo any action until the way makes itself clear to you.It could be something as simple as one of components begins to show signs of failure and it is time to replace it.The perfect excuse will make the process all the more enjoyable.For me it was because I thought my system sounded like shit. It did to me.And-at that, I was not very scientific or creative when the time arrived for me to put to practice anything I may have learned over these years.You cannot imagine how pleased I was when it worked out! My system deviates from some ideal I have what the perfect system might be, but I am truly happy with what I have. I would not reccommend my approach to anyone. However, I would reccommend being happy doing what you are doing. It is your money- by robbery or inheritance or work, and your life, regardless. Enjoy yourself!
slv
87 posts
 
For me it revolves around what I could afford. I've always wanted an excellent sounding system, and have spent the last 28 years getting there. I bought the best sounding basic system I could afford, and then slowly upgraded each weak link as I learned more about audio, and when funds allowed (this includes tweaks). I am still at it, having just added power conditioning, which will be followed by power cords and then a new CD player. Next will be to add a turntable, tuner, and an SACD/DVD-A player.

I am thrilled with the sound of my system, and I thoroughly enjoy the way I have approached it. In recent years I usually change something about once a year, giving me plenty of time to enjoy it while I research my next purchase. This way, each decision is carefully thought out to the best of my ability.

It sounds to me like you already have the makings of an excellent system already. If it was me, I would maximize what you already have before I changed anything. Since you didn't mention cables or power conditioning (unless it was just an omission), I would start there. Had I known years ago what I know today I would have added power conditioning long ago. Only by trying it did I find out how much dirty electricity affects the sound of audio electronics. This would be my recommendation - make this change and you will realize the full potential of your current and future equipment. You may find your current system to be so enjoyable that you won't want to change it, or if you do it will be for the right reasons.
thom_y
195 posts
 
How often do audiophiles 'upgrade' their spouses ?
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