I'm done chasing the illusion

[biscuithead]

I've been in the game since the 70's and I just don't think I can do it anymore. Countless pieces of gear, hours spent piecing together and dollars spent - and I'm never satisfied. I though switching from SS to tubes was the answer, but to no avail. I could spend the rest of my days changing things and never be satisfied. Between tinnitus and the constant "need" inside my head for critical listening, picking apart what my system is and isn't doing...It's a never ending cycle of disappointment & disillusionment.

I need to have music, but at this point I want to sell everything and just get a simple bluetooth speaker and call it a day. Eff me

I reached this point about 2 years ago. Mine was more to do with some kind of aversion to excess and anti-materialism. It took me two years to dump 90% of my audio collection. It was actually fun. But after turning the audio hoard into $$$ it was insane that I had that much money tied up in this crap.
I really recommend the purging catharsis though.
Good luck on your decision to simplify.

 

[sqlsavior]

Funny, but at one point I regarded everything but my turntable(s) as end-game pieces - totally satisfied and could hardly imagine better (for my needs) at any realistically attainable price. Then things stated breaking. Still need to get my PrimaLuna amp fixed, but have resigned myself to living without the turntable of my dreams. I know I am blessed as it is. Since I want to get my amp fixed, I suppose I am still chasing the illusion, but damn, I had it caught! Can I catch it again?

 

[Bicyclemike]

I never had the need to get the best of the best, as I was always on a budget and had to get lower end to mid-range quality equipment. I was happy with that. Now I could get about anything I want, but get more of a kick out of still using some of my ‘70s vintage stuff that I have little desire to get the latest and greatest. I will upgrade to some higher end speakers at some point, but am in no rush to do so. If our local “Vintage Voltage” show takes place this year, which is normally in April, I will talk to some folks there about speakers and maybe grab a pair if the deal is right.

 

[chipper246]

Take a shot or a toke, put on a piece of music you like... and stop listening to the stereo and listen to the music.
Relax Francis

I was thinking the exact same thing just the other day...Sometimes we think about the sound quality too much and forget to just listen to the music.

 

[gizzyman47]

I didn't read through all the posts.. but did the OP ever address room acoustics? If not, he might want to. A lot of people just keep dropping large amounts of money on equipment and never address the room. It's as big a component as the hardware.

 

[opnly bafld]

I didn't read through all the posts.. but did the OP ever address room acoustics? If not, he might want to. A lot of people just keep dropping large amounts of money on equipment and never address the room. It's as big a component as the hardware.

I think it is his not so cozy office area at work.

 

[gizzyman47]

How can you expect great sound at work? Why would you even try?

 

[opnly bafld]

How can you expect great sound at work? Why would you even try?

I would say he was looking for enjoyable sound.

 

[the skipper]

You're never going to achieve perfection. The best you can hope for is a pleasing emulation of what you consider a satisfying musical experience. Contentment is priceless.

 

[CraigVMN]

I didn't read through all the posts.. but did the OP ever address room acoustics? If not, he might want to. A lot of people just keep dropping large amounts of money on equipment and never address the room. It's as big a component as the hardware.

I've known for some time now that while my Dali Zensor 1 speakers are very good, they are still a small speaker, and sound as such. Integration with a subwoofer in a cube shaped office proved difficult. I thought for the longest time one of the issues was my tube amplifier not being up to task when producing bass. I recently obtained an old pair of Paradigm Phantom v3 floor speakers, with dual 6.5" woofers. These provide all the bass I could ask for. The tweeters were shot, so I swapped in a pair of Vifa soft domes, and they sound alright. I'm still tweaking the EQ in the app I use for playback to get them to sound the way I want, but so far I'm liking the change.

I've also recently adopted a mantra I repeat whenever I begin the chase again - "It's just background music, and I'll never be satisfied"

 

[restorer-john]

I've known for some time now that while my Dali Zensor 1 speakers are very good, they are still a small speaker, and sound as such.

They are merely cute little toys. They are not remotely "very good".

I have a pair myself and they are totally underwhelming. Clearly voiced for audiophiles of a certain age with extensive HF hearing loss and an aversion to anything bigger than a 6" bass driver. And, I have perhaps 20+ pairs of similar 5"-6.5" two ways which sound way better. I love Dali in general, but the Zensor 1 is a disappointment.