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After 25+ years, feeling discouraged and thinking of giving up the chase.

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Brett a

Brett a

~◦●○o0o○●◦~
Thousands of dollars in and out and countless hours of consternation and I once again find myself pretty dissatisfied with my system.

Lately, I've realized that the new speakers I bought about a year ago are pretty glaring and fatiguing (so why keep them?). And for the amount of time I spend listing to music (not much), it's hard to justify it taking up half the living room.

I've been fantasizing about purging it all and getting something I can simply enjoy w/o wracking my brain over; something that can be part of the living room, not the whole center of it.

And this has made me realize I've never had a casual relationship with audio gear. I've fussed over equipment as far back as I can remember; certainly into the early 80's. I wonder if I'd be able to unhook from it.

I'm starting to wonder if I'd be just happy with a Bose Wave Radio in the corner of the living room. (Well, maybe not that exactly, but you know...)

It might feel good to wipe the slate clean.
But maybe it wouldn't...

:sigh:
 
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Think that's not a bad idea. You might then feel the urge to get new gear again.
If not, good for your bank accounts.
 
Actually, wiping the slate clean can be refreshing.

The only issue is then you start fretting over what to get next.

Sorry, that's no help but it is my personal experience.

Best of luck!
 
Wow, that's major thinking there, strong thoughts put down to words, which just may lead to action. :scratch2:

Hopefully it's just a phase in passing? :smoke:

But I can fully understand and comprehend and above all respect your views on this subject. I mean, who hasn't had those exact same thougths at one time or another through out one's 'audio' journey in life? :sigh:

As for a replacement that does not take up a whole lot of living room space but can punch out those sounds, can I recommend one of these?

http://www.bose.com/controller?url=...ystems/index.jsp&perfsourceid=K9677&src=K9677


My wife purchased two of these, one for me and one for our daughter. ( I guess she was trying to give me a hint about hopefully replacing my racked audio system in our living room with six speakers-but I wasn't buying it :no:)

Let me tell you, the Bose Sounddock is something else. It's perfect for listening whether it's just yourself or with others. For it being compact in size it can really punch out those sounds, inside the house or outside! :yes:

Anyway, just a suggestion! :D

P.S. may I suggest that before you actually toss out all of your audio equipment, have a final finally, get your favorite beverage and snacks and crank it up one last time! Kinda like a final 'farewell'! :tears:



Brett a said:
Thousands of dollars in and out and countless hours of consternation and I once again find myself pretty dissatisfied with my system.

Lately, I've realized that the new speakers I bought about a year ago are pretty glaring and fatiguing (so why keep them?). And for the amount of time I spend listing to music (not much), it's hard to justify it taking up half the living room.

I've been fantasizing about purging it all and getting something I can simply enjoy w/o wracking my brain over; something that can be part of the living room, not the whole center of it.

And this has made me realize I've never had a casual relationship with audio gear. I've fussed over equipment as far back as I can remember; certainly into the early 80's. I wonder if I'd be able to unhook from it.

I'm starting to wonder if I'd be just happy with a Bose Wave Radio in the corner of the living room. (Well, maybe not that exactly, but you know...)

It might feel good to wipe the slate clean.
But maybe it wouldn't...

:sigh:
Click to expand...
 
I always feel like my gear is stale, even if it is only a short time in use, satsfatction, seems elusive.
 
Maybe you're just trying too hard...Let the gear find YOU...That's kinda what I did w/my Boatanchor collection...There is NO WAY I could have/should have scored a TENTH of the Tooob-Era marvels I possess, ESPECIALLY seeing as how I live in Bugtussle... I honestly think somehow, a LOT of it found me...Or I just had to be the LUCKIEST SOB that ever came down the pike.
 
Let it all go (with the exception of the Well Tempered - hard to top that) and start over. Maybe a 70's era solid-state integrated or a 60's era tube receiver and some period appropriate speakers. Troll CL for a while and see what catches your fancy.

-D
 
From the tone of the OP it would seem that dissatisfaction with speakers is at the root of the discouragement.:tears:

Why not get some speakers you really like and can actually live with? ESLs took me off the speaker-go-round. They may do the same for you. No drama. No "crisp, clean" highs. No breathtaking midrange. No subterranean bass and no harshness, just music you can listen to for hours.

How about a pair of Quad ESL 57 a moderately powered tube amp (~35WPC) and just listen for a while.
 
Grass is always greener.
I sold everything I owned and began anew with low power hi eff gear. I felt like you do now, and it was a nice change for me. It happens that I like this type of gear better, but it's not why I did it.
I don't think I (nor you) could live with the wave radio in the corner concept for very long.
 
Instead of focusing on the gear, have you considered working on the acoustics of your listening room?
Lots of gains to be had there and it can be done reasonably cheap too.
 
Been thru this type of thing before with other things.

Pick out the best receiver, best speakers, best turn table (the pieces that fit best together and sound the best) and sell everything else, sit back and enjoy what you have.

I tell my wife all the time (an really mean it) - if I found not another piece of stereo gear the rest of my life I would be happy with what I have now.
 
Time to take a break? Use another system for the time being while developing or focusing on another hobby. I'm sure it may be difficult because the main system is in the living room, but this would be my best suggestion. Once you're ready to return to audio with a fresh perspective, put on your best recording and reevaluate.
 
Treatment

Not to get too personal, But. Have you considered treatment? How refective is your room? I know this is where my quest is taking me. Therapy might help as well. :D
 
Please do not take this the wrong way , but maybe it is just a stage of life you are going through . Is there any other parts of your life that you have the same feelings ? I do know that at one time in the not to distant past , you were very happy with a old pair of Bose you were using . But I got the feeling you could not live with them just for the simple fact they were Bose . I could be way off and probably am . Just ask my wife . :D


But like you said , maybe some time away would be helpful . I know we butt heads sometimes over vintage-modern , but I for one would miss your thoughtful , intelligent posts involving audio .
 
sebrof said:
Grass is always greener.
I sold everything I owned and began anew with low power hi eff gear. I felt like you do now, and it was a nice change for me. It happens that I like this type of gear better, but it's not why I did it.
I don't think I (nor you) could live with the wave radio in the corner concept for very long.
Click to expand...

This! ^^^^^^ Is where I am at as well.

AlTinkster92 said:
Yep, take a break from it and then you'll appreciate it again one day.
Click to expand...

This, also. My spring and summer months are for the outdoors and my other hobbies and activities. I hardly even touch my gear. Fall and winter is audio season for me; I fall in love with my gear all over again.
 
I see the speakers have aluminum domes.

You're probably like me, I find sibilance and brightness to be very hard to live with. I've only really liked silk domes in conventional speakers.

Maybe you need to switch out your speakers with some silk domed ones.

Of course the other thing you could do is to roll the treble right down.
 
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