Disillusioned with "high end".

[Joe Schmoe]

My Alesis Monitor Ones were the final piece in my 2.0 puzzle. Now when I listen to my system, I feel no need for anything more, ever. Since then, I have auditioned several much more expensive systems (one over 50K), and been decidedly underwhelmed.

Has anyone else lost the "upgrade bug".

 

[bandphan]

deja vu

 

[GlocksRock]

I haven't lost the upgrade bug, I just don't have the funds to get anything else right now. Eventually, I think no matter how good your stuff is, you just want to try something new, in hopes that it will be better than what you already have, and since it's fun to research new gear, and actually get it.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

deja vu

Nah. I have had these plenty long enough for that first flush of newness to have long since worn off. Unlike all other new speakers, I have felt precisely zero temptation to A/B them with any of the others (not even my Def Techs) because I am 100% certain. Every time that I play a recording that I have heard before, but not on these speakers, I immediately think "this is the best that this particular recording has ever sounded."

As for electronics, I already knew that my Cambride setup left no room for improvement.

My conclusion is that (for 2.0) a well-chosen $1000 system is all anyone needs.More than that is a waste.

(Note: I also have something new to occupy my mind. Dating!)

 

[Halon451]

You haven't lost the bug, it's just lying dormant for now. As good as anyone's setup is, there's always something better out there. Subjectively speaking of course.

 

[Seth=L]

deja vu

What? LOL

 

[Seth=L]

(Note: I also have something new to occupy my mind. Dating!)

That'll do it.

 

[cornelius]

You can definitely get a nice 2.0 system for around a 1K, but I would not say spending more is a waste. You just have to spend it wisely, I've heard (much) more expensive systems than mine, some sound better, some don't.

The disillusionment comes when guys spend way too much on cables and tweaks that don't make a difference... I auditioned some Totems yesterday and the salesman put those Beaks on the top of the speakers - I heard no difference. He even had me put my hand on the top of the cabinet, and as he put the Beaks on, said that I'll feel less vibration. The cabinet still vibrated the same amount - I thought my ears couldn't detect a difference, but my sense of touch? this is the stuff that I can't stand...

 

[MinusTheBear]

For a lot of audiophiles, they will always have an "itch" to upgrade. In a lot of cases people are very satisfied with their current rig but like any hobby it gets to a point of addiction where you feel the need to constantly try to find something "bigger" and "better". Myself, I am too cheap to upgrade to anything else. Maybe that is a saving grace, because I can see a lot of people going into debt with upgradtitus. I guess this is why they call this site Audioholics.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Note: I also have something new to occupy my mind. Dating!

What?

Wait just a minute, here.

What?

You mean dating your wife?

Something else you want to add, Joe?

 

[Seth=L]

What?

Wait just a minute, here.

What?

You mean dating your wife?

Something else you want to add, Joe?

????????????????

 

[Halon451]

Joe's not married - he recently just got into the dating scene full swing.

 

[trnqk7]

Gee, I thought everyone knew that after that one thread...

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

????????????????

For some reasons I thought Joe was married all this time.

 

[Halon451]

For some reasons I thought Joe was married all this time.

I can tell you this much - if I wasn't married myself, I'd have a hell of a lot more than $1K to spend on gear!

 

[jamie2112]

I can tell you this much - if I wasn't married myself, I'd have a hell of a lot more than $1K to spend on gear!

I am in total agreement with that statement

 

[Joe Schmoe]

I can tell you this much - if I wasn't married myself, I'd have a hell of a lot more than $1K to spend on gear!

I have never been married, but I also don't make a very good salary. A lot of the extra cash I do have goes into books, CDs, and DVDs.

 

[Halon451]

Well, truth be told my own salary doesn't quite hold the weight in today's economy as it might have otherwise. Being married is part of the equation of course. I don't feel disillusioned by higher end stuff - thankfully I've learned enough to avoid most of the snake oil items, but do know that as much as I like my current system, it's still pretty much a budget hitter - good as it sounds, I would not hesitate (given enough money) to get rid of the Yammy in exchange for a good flagship AVR, and pair up the SVS sub with another one like it, etc., but my system is geared more towards HT anyway - not 2 channel music listening, which yours is. I think $1K gets you a bit further to where you want to be in stereo than it does in HT.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

If I were not married + 2 kids...

I would be OUT OF CONTROL.

B&W tube-loaded Nautilus + Mark Levinson Preamps/Amps + Lexus LS 600h L =

.....In another life.

 

[chadnliz]

I get on and off the merry go round from time to time, as this is a hobby or passion for some the fun is trying new things to have a different sound, almost all who enjoy a hobby do exactly what we do within their on passions.
I went a couple weels ago to get a new cart on my dads table and our dealer took us out for lunch and mentioned a great new amp he wanted us to hear, well its $8000 and I figured I would listen say thanks and move on but in the demo it was same speakers, wires and pre as in current system and the amp clearly made a huge difference.....well its on order. Even when you think you are not looking something just happens sometimes that is a real eye opener and you buy something you didnt even plan on wanting, now old mono blocks are getting boxed up to knock off a bit less then half the new amount to limit the financial bleeding, the amps are 13 yrs old purchased new so this new amp will be around a long time.....a very long time!
The amp is in for review so hope it pops up soon, its an Aesthetix Atlas it is a hybrid which is neat in that it also has high pass filters built in with input from Richard Vandersteen..its an awesome amp!