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At what point do you say, "This is a really good sounding stereo, and I'll live with it," even though it's not perfect and nothing like the real thing? Because there's always something better out there, in theory.
Follow Ups:
..not to try and improve your system....
:-)
Jonesy
"I know just enough to get into trouble. But not enough to get out of it."
...I find the question pointless and is navel gazing at its best.
Smile
Sox
But isn't that what this place is for? And yet you were interested enough to post a response.
... Shows you are smarter than I first thought! d:o)
This place is for folks to express their opinions, which is precisely what I did and I am doing now.
In reality most opinions are pointless, even mine!
Life's good, enjoy it, I do.
Smile
Sox
"...even though it's not perfect and nothing like the real thing?"
I don't get it. You seem to be suggesting, why bother because the real thing is always perfect.
"Because there's always something better out there, in theory."
Why "in theory"?
My answer to this question is whether you're experiencing the music to a depth that "approaches" how you would experience it live. To a degree which you find satisfactory.
Note I say "approaches", because no system is capable of recreating the live music event to its fullest degree.... Or even close to that. We need to realize that, and capture enough of the experience to where we'd be satisfied.
Yes, but the "close to that" can be mighty impressive! If every recording I put on is a musical experience, and not just listening to an audio system in terms of how it comes across, then it's doing most things right ...
Frank
Which kind restates my question, in statement form. We can only reproduce what is one the recording in the first place, which is a very compromised representation of the actual musical event. As soon as a microphone is involved, so much is lost, even at a concert. Our brains are good at filling in the missing information and fooling us, to an extent. For me, the key is to get the timbre of the instruments right, along with rhythmic coherence. Being satisfied with the compromise is another matter, and if I were easily satisfied, I'd still be listening to a boombox (and loving it!).
get better sound w/o breaking the bank. Major upgrades about every 10/15 years but little things constantly in-between.
By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox.
Galileo Galilei
nt
I love the music of Dmitri Shostakovich
And I've been happy as a clam ever since. My system sounds plenty good enough for me and I reckon I'll keep this setup for at least another decade or so.
In order to satisfy my "upgrade jones", I seek out the best recordings I can find. And *nothing* upgrades a system better than a fine recording!
-RW-
I still upgrade, but very slowly and cautiously. The quest for great recordings - content + recoding quality + format is fun and less risky.
...when
1. you've heard enough equipment to realize what it is you want in music reproduction,
2. then decide what you have is pretty close to that and
3. to go any further the diminishing returns of upgrading are not worth the cost.
I've been there for 15 years now and never think about upgrading or listening to new equipment - just enjoying the music.
About half way into the first song.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
Hi, Matthew,
My system has been evolving since 2005, when I started to take my stereo seriously after 25 years of compromise. It's basically as good as it will ever get because I'll be retiring in the next year or two and won't have the financial means to continue upgrading like I have the past decade. As components start to degrade and wear out I'll be replacing them with lower priced components. It won't always mean a big reduction in sound quality because the level of performance for many components has gotten better with advances in design and materials.The two components that I think will be the toughest for me to lower my standards on are the speakers and the phono cartridge. Not surprisingly, these are the beginning and ending of the analog signal chain and both rely on mechanical transducers. But I was enjoying my stereo through several iterations before I purchased the speakers and cartridge that I'm using now so I think I'll survive. Still, I will miss the current peak of performance. If there's any consolation, my hearing will get worse as I get older and I wouldn't be able to tell the difference anyway. :-)
Regards,
Tom
Edits: 07/09/15
and that is the problem with the concept of 'good enough'. when your reference moves to a better place every recording you own sounds better.and that is when it gets really fun! you have those late night sessions and cannot stop listening.
OTOH I am personally at an end place in my own system pathway where there seems to be only sideways choices, I've done pretty much everything that can be done. recently I've done some minor acoustical tweaks looking for that last little bit. I've added signal path grounding. so I am facing that 'good enough' or 'as good as I can get it' situation. but I've spent considerable resources to reach this point.
mikel
Edits: 07/09/15
I'd say your system probably sounds "good enough." Any time you want to invite me over to listen . . . :)
thanks.
you would be welcome to visit whenever you are in the neighborhood.
I enjoy listening sessions with fellow audiophiles/music lovers.
mikel
there will always be room for improvement, at least for me as I am never able financially to get what I really want. There may be some level at which I might say "good enough" and stop window shopping, but as truly wonderful as my system is, I'm not there yet. If I have to live with what I've got, and all financial indicators these days point that way, I am certain I could be and stay satisfied.
Nt
Or interest wanes in hifi.. you enter a new best hobby world..
Rodney Gold
I have a pool of components that I like/love and mix them up at times. If/when I arrive back at my original setup it is refreshing.
but seriously I understand. Just make sure you don't just upgrade gear and not look at things like " the room, AC delivery and so on. I have the same gear as in 2003 but a MUCH BETTER sounding system from dealing with the following: room treatments, AC outlets, AC cords, everything AC really, interconnects, vibration isolation.
E
T
Spot on. Improvements in room acoustics and AC power will do far more
to improve a system than anything else. I'm not sure about interconnects
and power cables, as I believe that once you have acquired decent ones
any additional money spent on such things yields very very minimal
"improvements" - you many just be getting differences, not improvements.
I actually spent less on my interconnects going from a Kimber KCTG and two Hero's to Anticables interconnects. Selling the Kimbers payed for the other and then some. A couple hundred I think.
E
T
...when you have had zero desire to change anything for a few years. That may well be better than good enough.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
I think the system is as good as its going to get. I haven't added or deleted from any of my many systems since the mid 2000s.
Main system: Jadis Defy 7, Acoustat 2+2, McIntosh C36, B&O 4004
On the sidelines: McIntosh 275, C22 and loads of other crap (such as unbuilt Scott, Dynaco and Eico kits, EMT turntable, Stromberg Carlson mono amps, amps, amps and speakers and speakers and the stash goes on and on. Then there's the tubes....from floor to ceiling, wall to wall. One of these days the flood gates are going to burst open.
I recently borrowed a pair of MIT speaker cables (using in a different system). I hear absolutely no difference over a pair of cables made for me from orange Home Depot extension cord wire. What aren't I missing?
Anyone need some MITs? Just kidding. They're no mine to sell.
"I can't compete with the dead". (Buck W. 2010)
For me good enough is when you have made all the swaps and tweaks you can reasonably make within your budget and you like the sound. Like wealth there is always another level, but satisfaction is more about feeling you have done the right things and you can now enjoy what you have.
I have the means to apply multiples of what I spent on my gear, but I put reasonable restrictions on my spending and I now like what I have. I drove my wife crazy while I was changing gear until it is now "good enough".
Different for different people for many different reasons. I imagine that, for some, the stopping point is dictated by contentment. For others it is cost, exasperation, etc...
I have not arrived at the stopping point yet but I'm getting closer. Always closer.
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