Regardless of how much you've spent...

Calbrs03,

You now you aren't supposed to chew those right??

For me it's been an obsession for over 30 years starting with my first integrated amp... a Pioneer 60 Watt model in silver brused aluminum with two huge vu meters... WOW was I happening with that! Well, it stills goes strong today, actually far stronger as the finances are more prevelant.

How sick am I?? Well, I am on my second HD DVD player and have Blu-ray players in several rooms of my home, the wife can even compare the two formats and fortunately doesn't mind the entire back bedroom (though she will whe we get guests) being full of my 'extra' audio gear....

Yes I know I have a problem but I can't find any decent eleven step programs....

I have been a Stereo Geek from age 8 probably.

It all started looking at the JCP catalog and wanting those old MCS componets, little radios and endless sitting around the farm rocking in a chair to music. Still try to find a Hi-End shop if I am out of town, attend the big shows when I can and am active in a audio club here in Ohio. The thing that has changed for me is I am skeptical now, it is like any item, gear, tweak, or cable has to proove itself....I no longer buy the hype so maybe I dont enjoy the way I use to but I still enjoy the hobby, have a few subscriptions I read, on here too much and waiting to go to NYC with friends from here to see the show in May.
So here I am, I believe nothing but enjoy everything, the debate is half the fun. Oh yeah, I am buying as much music as I can and not really thinking about any upgrade, 'sept for a dream of my own room.

From the days when TV's were only in Black and White and ours came with a record player as well. It took over my attention much more than TV. Followed quickly by my older brothers record player in which the front side had a speaker in it, and somewhere, probably underneath there were the electronics. Seems it was an Underwood?. When the Stromberg-Carlson with multiplex and record player came I began to play around with the speakers and adding others. Its been going ever since.

sadly I range from apathy to liking it okay. maybe it's the time of year...

O

o

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what a timely inquiry.

last night, I almost threw my entire system out the window. this hobby can be the ultimate in frustration.

why?

1. after waiting almost 6 months for the return of my tubed DAC from repair, it has been not working properly, i've been trying to diagnose what is going on.

2. audio racks which are too narrow, components that are too wide.

3. cables which have locking RCA,and hard to reach when you have limited space between the wall and the rear of your gear.

4. having to remove spiked cones each time you need to acess your gear.

5. BrightStar sandboxes, sand spilling all over the floor.

6. trying to unplug and plug in huge power cables into a Power conditioner without being able to see the outlets.

7. tugging on a cable then accidently removing another RCA cable, getting a huge hum which scares the crap out of you.

8. having to re-balence the height of your adjustable audiophile audio rack

9. having to move enormous speakers and cables to get to the rear of your system.

i could go on and on, but the above occured between 615pm and 745pm last night.

I think my neighbors think I am crazy for screaming in anger....

i screamed and cursed the maker of the DAC which was causing my anger. My neighbors must be asking themselves who the hell is this person is.

but yes, today I checked audiogon for more gear 6 times today so far.