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Post by jandl100 on Jan 14, 2023 13:47:57 GMT
I think we might be. There's Oli buying, not daring to use, and then selling eye wateringly expensive cartridges. Then buying another even more expensive one. Mikey eyeing up yet another tt to add to his already extensive collection. SteveW lusting after the next digital cable upgrade that he simply can't live without. There's me heading in the other direction, totally convinced that the DAC in my budget £500 rrp Emotiva AV preamp (that ASR measured and found to be a technical disaster) is the best I've heard, compared to well thought of up to £3k dedicated audiophile DAC competitors. And I'm currently using an amp I bought new - £30 amp, £50 psu. Once again convinced it's the best I've heard, compared to multi £k alternatives. What's probably worse, using it with £25k speakers. Just yesterday I bought 2 new headphones to add to my existing collection of half a dozen or so. And yet another headphone amp. Undoubtedly many more examples can be found throughout the forum. We're all barmy. But, I guess, as long as the family isn't going (too) cold and hungry it's OK.  Anyone else like to Out themselves (or defend themselves) regarding personal hifi absurdities? |
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 13:59:39 GMT
Wibble
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 14:01:31 GMT
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Post by macca on Jan 14, 2023 14:03:15 GMT
I'm foo-free, don't use vinyl and my main system was not expensive compared to those of a lot of 'serious' enthusiasts.
I do like to accumulate equipment which I suppose is a bit nuts but at least I know why I do it.
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Post by peterthebutcher on Jan 14, 2023 14:03:32 GMT
I WAS going for new speakers a couple of months ago, but had the old "kick up the arse" moment, and thought why, there is nothing wrong with what I have, and would need to spend quite a bit more to improve on them... 6/7K at least
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 14, 2023 14:08:32 GMT
I'm foo-free, don't use vinyl and my main system was not expensive compared to those of a lot of 'serious' enthusiasts. I do like to accumulate equipment which I suppose is a bit nuts but at least I know why I do it. Well, there is a big hunk of Krell amp you have anguished over, when a far smaller, cheaper and more reliable alternative could be found of equivalent spec and far less ££. That's a bit bonkers, I think. |
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Post by macca on Jan 14, 2023 14:10:23 GMT
everything rated by price, that's a bit nuts in itself. It's possible to spend thousands on an amp or speakers or DACs or turntables that are in fact complete tat.
The higher the price the more likely it is to be rubbish, especially speakers once you get past a certain price point.
It's not a crazy hobby it just attracts a lot of crazy people. Who then egg each other on to see who can be the craziest.
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 14:11:40 GMT
It’s also the fulfilment of a lifetime of ‘chasing the dragon’.
A few standout moments for me over the last 40 years when I heard something/ a system and thought ‘wow’
A dealers in the early 80’s with a top of the line Roksan/ion nexus system.
The bloke who owned Mana acoustics.. at his place. All sorts of Linn stuff. Had Dire Straits perform in his hifi room.
More recently hearing things at Olivers and Angus
All contributed to bonkers striving.
Nearly there though..!!
Lol (manically)
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Post by macca on Jan 14, 2023 14:12:52 GMT
I'm foo-free, don't use vinyl and my main system was not expensive compared to those of a lot of 'serious' enthusiasts. I do like to accumulate equipment which I suppose is a bit nuts but at least I know why I do it. Well, there is a big hunk of Krell amp you have anguished over, when a far smaller, cheaper and more reliable alternative could be found of equivalent spec and far less ££. That's a bit bonkers, I think. Nope not at all, my speakers are a tough load, cheaper amps will not drive them optimally. I wish that was not true! second hand Krell was still cheaper than buying a brand new amp that would do the job to the same degree. |
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Post by robbiegong on Jan 14, 2023 14:24:09 GMT
It's not bonkers if you have an idea of what you are doing/trying to achieve. That said, often is the case that you finally know what you're trying to achieve after a journey consisting of more than a few of those what would be regarded as bonkers moments, truth be known  |
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jan 14, 2023 15:05:45 GMT
everything rated by price, that's a bit nuts in itself. It's possible to spend thousands on an amp or speakers or DACs or turntables that are in fact complete tat. The higher the price the more likely it is to be rubbish, especially speakers once you get past a certain price point. It's not a crazy hobby it just attracts a lot of crazy people. Who then egg each other on to see who can be the craziest. Definitely agree regarding speakers! It's crazy how poor most relatively pricey retail speakers are. With an 8-10 times mark up on material cost it's not surprising really. |
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Post by lurch on Jan 14, 2023 15:15:37 GMT
I don't know, possibly. After all I have a tt, arm, cart combo with an rrp of £18.7k yet it forms only around 5% of my current listening.
I also have a 2nd system, a system that would probably match or beat some people's main rigs for SQ and yet it gets used for maybe an hour a month. When I do have a brain fart and actually use it I begin to wonder why I have the main rig as system 2 is so musical and the difference between the two certainly doesn't reflect the vast difference in cost.
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Post by nonuffin on Jan 14, 2023 16:21:47 GMT
I am cured of the madness since I became a hi-fi reviewer, which taught me that the overwhelming majority of it sounds pretty close to each other and it is only the smallest of differences that occur between the budget and the esoteric, so it is only the reaction of the listener to those differences that ranks anything where it lies in the heirarchy.
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 14, 2023 16:58:03 GMT
I am cured of the madness since I became a hi-fi reviewer, which taught me that the overwhelming majority of it sounds pretty close to each other and it is only the smallest of differences that occur between the budget and the esoteric, so it is only the reaction of the listener to those differences that ranks anything where it lies in the heirarchy. Hmm, interesting. I don't agree with that at all! I hear substantial differences between components; transducers and electronics. Both in my own choices, and as a reviewer for Hifi Pig for a couple of years. Still, we're all different. |
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jan 14, 2023 17:02:09 GMT
I am cured of the madness since I became a hi-fi reviewer, which taught me that the overwhelming majority of it sounds pretty close to each other and it is only the smallest of differences that occur between the budget and the esoteric, so it is only the reaction of the listener to those differences that ranks anything where it lies in the heirarchy. Hmm, interesting. I don't agree with that at all! I hear substantial differences between components; transducers and electronics. Both in my own choices, and as a reviewer for Hifi Pig for a couple of years. Still, we're all different. I agree with you Jerry. I have been demoing speakers a lot lately and have heard absolutely massive differences in systems and speakers. |
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Post by hifinutt on Jan 14, 2023 17:33:51 GMT
yes its tricky when friends say they can only afford to heat the house 2 hours a day !! you think about the morality of spending huge amounts . as the good book says "suppose a bother or sister is without clothes and daily food . if one of you says " go i wish you well, but keep warm and well fed " but does nothing about his physical needs , what good is it ?..
just this week i had a letter from a charity we have supported for years that may have to close . its a fine line to tread but giving is good for you and providing i think you strike a balance bwteen giving to those in need and spending on yourself i am happy with that . Its a great hobby and i personally dont drink much, dont go out clubbing nor do i drive a fancy car so i dont mind spending a bit on my hobby . Certainly much more careful now what prooducts i buy even if some speakers are exceedingly tempting !!
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 17:54:05 GMT
yes its tricky when friends say they can only afford to heat the house 2 hours a day !! you think about the morality of spending huge amounts . as the good book says "suppose a bother or sister is without clothes and daily food . if one of you says " go i wish you well, but keep warm and well fed " but does nothing about his physical needs , what good is it ?.. just this week i had a letter from a charity we have supported for years that may have to close . its a fine line to tread but giving is good for you and providing i think you strike a balance bwteen giving to those in need and spending on yourself i am happy with that . Its a great hobby and i personally dont drink much, dont go out clubbing nor do i drive a fancy car so i dont mind spending a bit on my hobby . Certainly much more careful now what prooducts i buy even if some speakers are exceedingly tempting !! Tricky chaps, guilt. We all find ways of dealing with it whilst being kind to our fellow man. Ok, not everyone does. But that’s up to them and their conscience. Used to have interesting chats with well healed Indians about this very subject. They had a cultural approach where you spent a certain period of your life ‘giving back’ to society. Often in your older years after you had made your money/wealth and taken care of your family. Mind you.. then there were some who really couldn’t give a toss. Hey ho |
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optical
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Post by optical on Jan 14, 2023 17:59:22 GMT
Bonkers/commited/perfectionists.... Whatever. 🤣
I think the reason people get disheartened and start to question the entire hobby is subjective results.... Or should that be the subjectivity and variation of "results".
It's a unique hobby compared to say having an interest in fast cars where you would pay a certain amount of money for a part/tune and you gain *** horsepower or improve your braking distance etc.
Set measurements for set outcomes.
With hifi apart from THD, frequency response, audible noise reduction (and others) there is no measurable effect on enjoyment where as the more power you have in your car (or shorter stopping distance etc) the more "fun" you will/should have.
In that regard it's a fairly unique hobby and none of us have unlimited budgets (I'd imagine) so it's understandable if people end up questioning the feasibility of "chasing" results that people subjectively can/will disagree on.
Just keep it fun is what I say.
👍
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Post by bencat on Jan 14, 2023 18:28:54 GMT
My answer to the question has to be yes we are all bonkers most people just do not care about the details we do . I know that all of the systems in my house sound very good to excellent so why did I buy another USB cable not half an hour ago ? No other reason than I think I will sound better .
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Post by lurch on Jan 14, 2023 18:39:58 GMT
bencat I hope that usb cable was a Supra Excalibur Andrew, coz if it was then you'll definitely like what it does. It walked all over both a Chord Shawline & Epic I had here so they went back and the Excalibur stayed.
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Post by misterc on Jan 14, 2023 19:23:23 GMT
bencat I hope that usb cable was a Supra Excalibur Andrew, coz if it was then you'll definitely like what it does. It walked all over both a Chord Shawline & Epic I had here so they went back and the Excalibur stayed. I thank you and we don't even sell them, gald it working out for you |
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Post by misterc on Jan 14, 2023 19:37:06 GMT
I think we might be. There's Oli buying, not daring to use, and then selling eye wateringly expensive cartridges. Then buying another even more expensive one. Mikey eyeing up yet another tt to add to his already extensive collection. SteveW lusting after the next digital cable upgrade that he simply can't live without. There's me heading in the other direction, totally convinced that the DAC in my budget £500 rrp Emotiva AV preamp (that ASR measured and found to be a technical disaster) is the best I've heard, compared to well thought of up to £3k dedicated audiophile DAC competitors. And I'm currently using an amp I bought new - £30 amp, £50 psu. Once again convinced it's the best I've heard, compared to multi £k alternatives. What's probably worse, using it with £25k speakers. Just yesterday I bought 2 new headphones to add to my existing collection of half a dozen or so. And yet another headphone amp. Undoubtedly many more examples can be found throughout the forum. We're all barmy. But, I guess, as long as the family isn't going (too) cold and hungry it's OK. Anyone else like to Out themselves (or defend themselves) regarding personal hifi absurdities? Hello Jerry,
How are you ben a while hope you and the good lady are well.
As usual some good observations, its not difficult to be tempted by a lot of items currently a signifcant amount of equipment on the market at some advantageous pricing. Just for a change I'm been quite a well behaved boy apart from snapping up the odd Wadia from time to time, my only personal audio purchases were a set of Track audio isolation feet for the rack & an Aurender N20 its been quite barron for the last few months. It's been mainly new workshop tooling and a few piecesof lab test gear.
Space is getting seriously interesting at the moment must put a smile on your face.
T.
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Post by macca on Jan 14, 2023 19:43:33 GMT
My answer to the question has to be yes we are all bonkers most people just do not care about the details we do . I know that all of the systems in my house sound very good to excellent so why did I buy another USB cable not half an hour ago ? No other reason than I think I will sound better . actually I think it's the people who don't care about having a decent sound system who are bonkers. Compared to them even the nuts who've spent hundreds of thousands are sane. |
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optical
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Post by optical on Jan 14, 2023 20:09:14 GMT
My answer to the question has to be yes we are all bonkers most people just do not care about the details we do . I know that all of the systems in my house sound very good to excellent so why did I buy another USB cable not half an hour ago ? No other reason than I think I will sound better . actually I think it's the people who don't care about having a decent sound system who are bonkers. Compared to them even the nuts who've spent hundreds of thousands are sane. Hear! Hear Macca. It's like when you're having a conversation with someone "what music do you like?" "Well I don't really listen to music" Faints on floor. |
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Post by lurch on Jan 14, 2023 20:53:19 GMT
bencat I hope that usb cable was a Supra Excalibur Andrew, coz if it was then you'll definitely like what it does. It walked all over both a Chord Shawline & Epic I had here so they went back and the Excalibur stayed. I thank you and we don't even sell them, gald it working out for you Yep thanks for the steer Tony, and at £99 delivered for the top Supra cable, excellent value as well. |
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Post by bencat on Jan 14, 2023 21:29:47 GMT
Hi John following your experience and feelings about the Excalibur I bought the deluxe silver version used on e-bay for less than a new standard one . So hopefully it is as good as the standard of possibly even better .
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 22:25:14 GMT
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 14, 2023 22:34:23 GMT
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Post by stevew on Jan 14, 2023 22:54:33 GMT
Ahh..bit of a con then!
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Bigman80
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Post by Bigman80 on Jan 14, 2023 22:57:25 GMT
They don't claim it is tbf. It's the same stuff they make the Interconnect out of. |
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