Struggling with lateral moves & multiple systems, is it just me?

[HowlerMonkey]

So I have found myself struggling with a problem that I always wanted to avoid and doubting myself if I am approaching this in the wrong way. Maybe others can learn from my mistakes or give some advise.

The plan was to have a solid music room (cave) but with family duties and everyday schedule I found myself spending considerably more time in the living room than the cave. Specially during the long winter because the cave is in a detached building. On top of that as the cave system took off in quality (and enjoyment) I realized how crappy my HT / living room system was and I started investing on those also. I now have (almost) 3 systems.....And they are all just above average but none of them exceptional yet....If I do the $$ numbers $$ I think It could have been more rewarding if I had stuck to the original plan (?!)

Now when I have to upgrade a weak link in a system I have to split budgets or have too many choices and it seems that I do more lateral moves than necessary. Should I just back off of one of them for a while ? Do you have multiple systems at home? in what order do you prioritize them? do you spend more time on the better system than the "ok" one?

 

[toxcrusadr]

I've got, let's see, 5 systems. Most of it is mid-fi except for the main living room system which I think is my finest gear. I have a garage system, basement cave system, shop building system, and oh yeah one under the bathroom sink. But most of these others are bits and pieces collected at low cost or even free, sometimes fixed up (like refoaming/recapping speakers). Since I like to do that sort of stuff, I can have that many stereos on a fairly low budget. Using profits from the sale of some repaired gear, I upgraded the receiver in the main system to separate amp and preamp and a DAC last year. Noticeable improvement and I would now say this rig is no longer mid-fi. I am still working on various pieces in the other systems, but I don't plan to just spend big bucks to get all of them to sound like the best one. They're low budget but great sounding convenience stereos.

I don't have time to sit and listen to music very much, I'm on the move a lot, so the music has to be where I am.

 

[OMGCat!]

I have only one system which makes upgrading (if I feel the need) easy.
I don’t really feel the need or want to have multiples but can imagine it would get expensive trying to keep a few on a solid upgrade path.
I’d prioritize on the one you listen to most and go from there.

 

[onwardjames]

Right now, my struggle is a tiny listening area, only 10x11.

The added problem is I've stumbled ass-first into end of the road speakers, all very large.

How does one choose between McIntosh XRT 20's, Ohm Walsh 300 mk2's, and EV Sentry VI's ?? They all have their strengths, and all are pleasing to me.
This, with Yamaha NS-690 III's, Polk SDA 1-B's, Vandersteen 2C's, Epi 20's, all sitting idle as well as several other sets.

And to think, I've liquidated perhaps 15 pair in the last 6 years or so.

Then there is sources, amplifiers, vintage receivers (when I was heavily into that).....

 

[maxhifi]

I have a dedicated home theater/music room in the basement, and a living room stereo in the living room.

I used to put effort into both of them, but when we redecorated I vastly pared back the living room system to a simple setup with a Sansui 5000 receiver and a small pair of bookshelf speakers.

I don't enjoy it one bit less than before... actually it is perfect for using when family or friends are around. Critical listening or viewing still in basement, but the simple lo-fi living room system is totally fine for what I use it for.

 

[sqlsavior]

When my wife wanted the HT setup in the family room gone, I made sure that was what she really wanted - just the TV, not even the front speakers (Vandersteins), and didn't argue. Sold the Rotel prepro, gave the speakers to my neighbor. She lived with just the TV speakers for about 5 years, until I gave her a soundbar/base this Christmas, one that includes dialog enhancement. But she never uses that mode, so it remains loud, and now has a woofer component (which I like for movies, but don't for TV) always on.

Still, I never really thought that HT setup was worth the effort, so the simplification was a plus. Happy wife, happy life, right? She still uses her kitchen system, and it's all on one shelf, so out of the way.

Since we moved into our final house fifteen years ago, and since I got back into the hobby ten years ago, I've had my main stereo system in the living room, and I will not put a television in that room. I have a 4.1 system in my bedroom, but my main stereo system has always been my focus. So, in the sense that I dallied with HT for while, but took my main system as far as I could despite those distractions, I voted for: I used to, fully recovered now.

 

[E-Stat]

There is no right answer. It all depends upon your needs. Don't sweat it.

Not counting the office system, I have three: main, garage and HT. The main system is heads above the resolution of everything else. That's where I go when I want to lose myself in the music. The garage system is pretty good and ironically, I likely spend as much time listening to it as I enjoy being exposed to the outdoors - even when it is snowing!

The HT is not really used for music. Wifey is the video buff so it really is HER system. Not as transparent as main with Emotiva and Oppo electronics, but still uses electrostatic mains and Magneplanar center.

 

[Yamaki]

I had a similar struggle some years ago. My "main" system was really a listening system but morphed into an HT system with some inherent compromises.

Once I learned how I could create a pass through from my listening pre-amp, through the AVR (the compromise) without the AVR processing the signal and on to my amps without having to switch amps, speakers, etc...things got a LOT better.

I did put together a small 2-channel vintage listening system in another room I can retreat to if the Mrs. has her friends over for drinks, dinner and dice. It's a good system but just not as good as the main system. But I'm gonna keep it just in case I get sent to the dog house.

 

[xero-D-hero]

Do you have multiple systems at home?

Yes I do.

in what order do you prioritize them?

I dont... I mess with whatever I'm messing with whenever the motivation to do so strikes.

do you spend more time on the better system than the "ok" one?

Not really no. That's likely because right now the system I listen to most is often just being used for "background" listening.
Also that system is in very close proximity to my "best" sounding system,so I only fire that one up for more in-depth listening.

Now when I have to upgrade a weak link in a system I have to split budgets or have too many choices and it seems that I do more lateral moves than necessary.

This is purely dependant on one's personal goals for any given system.
Me I rarely ever set any goals for a given system other than to see how it'll sound with a given configuration.
That affords me some sense of "living in the moment" as far as that system is concerned.
So lateral moves are'nt a big problem to me,they're all just part of the journey,and all add to the "experience" side of this hobby.

I now have (almost) 3 systems.....And they are all just above average but none of them exceptional yet....

Again this is related to the above situation.
If you set a goal for any system to have an "end game" configuration,then you're just going to have to accept this situation.
Also because this is often tied directly to one's budgetary limits,it becomes one of those "it is what it is" sorta things.

If I do the $$ numbers $$ I think It could have been more rewarding if I had stuck to the original plan (?!)

If you made all the right decisions the first go-round yeah that indeed might've been the case.
But should one or two decisions have been sub-par,then it all could've went seriously sideways on you.
Would've ~ could've ~ should've we cant change the past,so all you can do is move forward from here.

Me,I'm mostly just living in the moment these days,for better -or- worse.

JM2¢

Bret P.

 

[rickb119]

I have 4 systems (2 in the living room, office and garage) and have improved/upgraded each of them over the past 10-12 years (I'm a late bloomer). Other than 3, relatively inexpensive new DAC's, everything else has been on the cheap (but good stuff), either via CL or DIY (cables). There are still a few things I would like to improve. And a few things I would like to add. But only if the right item and right deal comes along.

When I see this,

when I have to upgrade

I think this,

just back off

You don't have to upgrade. Especially if it hurts the budget. Take your time. Only buy a good deal. Preferably one that can be sold at no to little loss if you don't like it.

 

[ConradH]

I used to have "The System" in the living room but SWMBO rearranged things to the point where it was impossible to use it. I gave up and set up a simple receiver and speakers for TV movies. My better stuff is in the lab, but the speakers are cheap little Polk bookshelf models. The truth is I get a great deal of pleasure out of whatever I happen to pick up and refurbish. I don't spend any real money on the hobby at all, save for binges at the LP store. If I had all the money in the world there aren't many things I'd feel a need to buy. Maybe a nice Deckel universal milling machine and heat for the garage shop. I've already got enough spare hifi stuff to put a nice system out there if it weren't so cold.

 

[toxcrusadr]

BTW, when I upgrade something, there is a trickle-down effect as the replaced item bumps something of even lower quality in one of the other systems. A rising main system lifts all boats!

 

[superdog]

Right now, my struggle is a tiny listening area, only 10x11.

The added problem is I've stumbled ass-first into end of the road speakers, all very large.

How does one choose between McIntosh XRT 20's, Ohm Walsh 300 mk2's, and EV Sentry VI's ?? They all have their strengths, and all are pleasing to me.
This, with Yamaha NS-690 III's, Polk SDA 1-B's, Vandersteen 2C's, Epi 20's, all sitting idle as well as several other sets.

And to think, I've liquidated perhaps 15 pair in the last 6 years or so.

Then there is sources, amplifiers, vintage receivers (when I was heavily into that).....

10 x11??? ...not good. I hear you though.

 

[superdog]

I've made so many lateral moves it doesn't bother me anymore.

 

[sqlsavior]

How does one choose between McIntosh XRT 20's, Ohm Walsh 300 mk2's, and EV Sentry VI's ?? They all have their strengths, and all are pleasing to me.
This, with Yamaha NS-690 III's, Polk SDA 1-B's, Vandersteen 2C's, Epi 20's, all sitting idle as well as several other sets.

You'll need to get rid of all the clutter to hear new 'stats at their best.

 

[quiet]

It's a one room deal here.
Except the dust collector stereo in the garage, it's mostly for doors open outdoor use. I don't work on the cars anymore, except to wash them. Then there's another dust collector stereo in the boat modification garage. And another in the mower house. Mowers stink, they need their own house. I don't think a nice stereo in a dedicated detached building would get any sit down listening here.
The only recent SQ improvement I've made was pulling the pre-outs on the receivers that have them, and running the sources straight to the receiver amps. It's amazing how "quiet" things get with the old receiver pre-amps not in play.

Other than that I just keep reading and fiddle around with what I have until it works better. That's easy to do if you started at the bottom.
So nothing's competing for dollars here.

 

[onwardjames]

10 x11??? ...not good. I hear you though.

Yeah, and the one saving grace is that the back "wall" is actually opening into the kitchen, where I usually sit to listen. Plus, the low ceiling slopes UP at about 25 degrees, or so.

Impossible to tame, difficult to manage.

You'll need to get rid of all the clutter to hear new 'stats at their best.

'stats? Do you mean I need to empty the room to hear each set of speakers at their best?? I totally agree.

Plus, I have about 2000 records and 3000 cds in there as well. It's so wrong, and yet, I just have nowhere else to put it all. Keep hoping that something will give, that perhaps the wife will agree to move, or something.

You spend you whole life searching, obtaining, and restoring the speakers you dreamed about as a kid, only to come to the realization that you have to choose just one pair, perhaps 2. I'm in a bit of a holding pattern on this.

 

[Ross6860]

...perhaps the wife will agree to move, or something.

With, or without you?

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

My wife doesn't care much for the stereo gear unless it supports the HT system, and she doesn't need surround. She has a collection of pre-war Hollywood movies that make my music collection look like a joke.

My main system is relegated to a three-sided room in the basement just slightly larger than yours (roughly 11.5' x 14'). The "back wall" doesn't exist since it opens to the rest of the basement. This is a massive help since you don't have to deal with reflections off the rear wall.

Magnepan 1.7i, Klipsch Chorus II, and Infinity RS-II share rotation. All big speakers in a small room, and they do work. The Maggies are usually the ones in play.

Back to the OP's original questions. When I got back into the hobby I would pick up anything that was a name brand component that had a good rep, and was a good deal. I ended up with a bunch of decent receivers and speakers that took up a bunch of space. After a couple of years I focused on getting "better" gear and selling what I wasn't using.

I have only one vintage receiver left, and I still have a couple pair of speakers I should get rid of. I'm much more selective now.

Of course I still browse BT, CL, etc. You never know. I missed a pair of Ohm I last year, and a pair of Theil CS 3.6

 

[prighello]

We have three. Main one in the living room gets the best gear. The one in the TV room, where I actually spend the most time, gets trickle down and the bedroom is just the leftovers. I would be fine to see the bedroom one go.

I basically only focus on the main system for improvements and if I don't sell a piece of gear I'll pass it along to another part of the house. The only money I've spent recently outside of the main system was some room treatments for the TV room since it was an echo chamber.

 

[onwardjames]

With, or without you?

Whoo boy, I could elaborate on that, but shan't. Wrong thread.