Smoke and Mirrors and Upgraditus

[admin]

Upgraditus. In the AV community, it is a real phenomenon. What is it? Well, simply defined, it is the feeling that something in your AV system needs to be changed or added. Unfortunately, manufacturers know all about upgraditus. They're counting on it. But just because a speaker manufacturer is changing the model number and the shape of the speaker, doesn't mean they are making a better one. When upgraditus strikes, and it will, make an informed decision. Take your time. Don't be blinded by the hype, and most importantly... DON'T PANIC!

Discuss "Smoke and Mirrors and Upgraditus" here. Read the article.

 

[Ubermod]

Upgraditus

So Tom, Are you telling me that if my wife says, "Yes, you can buy that McIntosh amp." that it will be a worthwhile upgrade over my emotiva amp?

 

[kevon27]

Why buy new? Don't we all have to go through a burn-in period for any new gear?
Your speakers have to be burnt in for xxx amount of hours before they can begin to sound just okay. Same goes with a new amp.
So if we stick with the burn-in idea.. Your new, fresh out of the box purchase will never sound as good as your current, already used stuff.

 

[markw]

This entire industry exists by fanning the flames of audio nervosa on those who are too weak-minded to realize the difference between the addition of minor, incremental features that look impressive in the ad copy and the advent of real performance enhancements.

 

[mperfct]

I'd have upgraditis, but I'm too lazy.

 

[Casey01]

For those that enjoy this hobby and are forever looking for the latest and greatest, what eventually happens is when you catch "upgraditis" AGAIN and after you go through the process a number of times, when you bring that new piece of A/V equipment home and hook it up, you finally realize that what you already had was about as good as it gets!

 

[majorloser]

I'd have upgraditis, but I'm too lazy.

And broke

 

[markw]

This is tha basis for an old but accurate axiom.

For those that enjoy this hobby and are forever looking for the latest and greatest, what eventually happens is when you catch "upgraditis" AGAIN and after you go through the process a number of times, when you bring that new piece of A/V equipment home and hook it up, you finally realize that what you already had was about as good as it gets!

"Sometimes you have to spend a lot of money only to learn that you didn't have to spend a lot of money to get the same results."

 

[kevon27]

And broke

Audioholics should have a poll asking.
Who is now in serious credit card debt because they upgraded their HT?

 

[surveyor]

I have upgradeitis! I don't try to defend it. I could have turned out worse- ie Politician or Heroin Addict. LOL

 

[crackinhedz]

...wonder if the guys over there running the Audioholics Store are excited about this article?

 

[ht_addict]

Get the feeling all the time. Its all about having something new and shinny. But I've learned overtime, its not worth it, except for in TV's. Bigger is always better.

 

[timoteo]

Well I took your advice & just put a new Emotiva XPA-5 on a card. (seriously!) Told my wife that I came across a deal. (actually just free shipping) But now i've got "cantwait-atitis".....what can i take to cure that??!!! HURRY HELP!!!

 

[gholt]

I have the upgraditis. I just bought speaker 2 years ago, and wondering if I should trade the drivers out and have them put in their reference drivers.

 

[Mika75]

"Sometimes you have to spend a lot of money only to learn that you didn't have to spend a lot of money to get the same results."

yup, what he said

 

[gmichael]

I found a cure to upgraditus. Have a baby.

 

[bjohnson]

Jsut noticed this post... gmichael said it. And it seems we're still stuck in thatmode, even when they're 7 years old. It becomes: "we'll upgrade when it breaks" which, semantically, is replacing, not upgrading

 

[jeffsg4mac]

Well I took your advice & just put a new Emotiva XPA-5 on a card. (seriously!) Told my wife that I came across a deal. (actually just free shipping) But now i've got "cantwait-atitis".....what can i take to cure that??!!! HURRY HELP!!!

Congrats! I am seriously enjoying my new XPA-3. Fantastic amp.

 

[jeffsg4mac]

I found a cure to upgraditus. Have a baby.

Can you believe my wife is 39 and I turned 46 in june and we are going to try and have another? We don't have any together.

 

[Rickster71]

Can you believe my wife is 39 and I turned 46 in june and we are going to try and have another? We don't have any together.

Sounds like you got the XPA-3 just in time.
Good luck Jeff.