Not impressed


Just getting sick of the Hi Fi Merry Go Around...getting ready to throw in throw in the towel. Price to performance ratio is not all that rewarding. Sucks not being able to Audition before I buy....find a a nice amp.......good luck finding a preamp to match......on and on
djverne
In all seriously, the biggest variable in a listening experience may well be the person listening.

Most who have been around a while know this. It can be used constructively to help them better understand what is heard or to manipulate someone case by case, depending on intent.

Just something to always keep in mind. Nothing unique to audio really though the fuzzier aspects of high end audio make it inviting turf for such games.
get a pair of full range single drivers, pay a guy ti put em in a well designed padded box and buy a tiny tube amp from ebay. and buy an oppo universal disc player, cheap, so you can listen to all styles of cd. best sound of your life and a tiny system with lamp chord wires and 1 inpt conection. it got me off the merry go round for good. go to common sense audio. entire setup under 1K and i am blown away. i wasted countless thousands to end up listening to some of the cabinet radio consoles from the 40's basically. except in small speaker enclosures. use the rest to but an aquarium cuz u r gonna rediscover just listening to music again
A conspicuous absence of posts supporting or in agreement with Psag's
excellent post.

I have often mentioned the parallels that exist between a musician's
experience and an audiophile's; some good, some bad. This is a popular
working musician's joke that one can apply to this topic:

Q "How do you make a musician unhappy?"

A "Give him a gig"
Really good posts and quite funny also. In my opinion, I feel that anyone that believes they are on the merry-go-round is there because they chose to be on it. Yes, it may take some time and effort to find that just right system and sound, but, once you do, you are done unless you find a piece of equipment that makes you say wow to your music again. I don't consider that to be a merry-go-round, just musical evolution. And, it is totally your choice to do it. I look at this as enjoyable fun. I know what I can and can't afford and never let someone talk me in to a purchase I really don't want, need or can't afford. I routinely (every three months or so) visit my favorite store in San Diego for several reasons. 1. my good friend (also music lover) lives in San Diego and this is fun, 2. I like the people at that store, just to listen and talk about the industry and music, 3, San Diego is nice. But, I am very satisfied with my system and sound. it took many years to get to that level of sound satisfaction. I'm sure there exist equipment that would impress me, but the price would be rediculous (to me) and the slight increase in resolution, dynamics, etc. really aren't cost effective. I have heard many times the Audio Research REF 250 amps and all I can say is wow!. Really nice. If I can get a pair, I will, but it will be when I can afford them and when I decide to do so on my schedule. if ever. merry-go-round? no! hobby, fun and enjoyable, wonderful music? absolutely. As people keep telling me, life is short. Live, learn, help others, enjoy your friend and family and smile.

enjoy
i meant merry go rund in the true sense, they are enjoyable while you ride them but at the end of the day it stops and you will want to get on it again. as a metsphor tho tbh,, it does not lead anywhere by basic design. off the mgr to me means i had enuff fun riding it and wanting to get back on but am now happy in the beer gardens on the side.