You're selling that? But you just got it!

jaxwired

This post is for all you guys that have a SO or wife that sometimes gives you a hard time about the audio addiction. Wives rarely understand this hobby and often object to the expense. It doesn't help that for some reason woman are generally less into music and almost never excited by shiny electronics. So I thought I'd share what worked for me.

My wife was on board with the initial equipment I purchased several years ago when I first got back into hifi after a long break, but she definately was perplexed by any box switching after that and objected to the money spent.

At one point I had a little talk with her and her objections were permanently silenced. The problem was, she just did not understand the hobby. She was under the impression that the hobby was entirely about listening to music. Once you purchased a nice system, you just bought music and enjoyed. While buying and listening to music is also a hobby and also one I enjoy very much, the pursuit of hifi is a different hobby. That's what she did not understand. Once I explained to her that experimenting with different components and various tweaks was all part of the hobby that is the pursuit of hifi perfection, she understood what I was doing. It made sense to her and she stopped objecting. The box swapping IS the hobby. That's what the hobby is! Changing things up in a never ending pursuit to improve the sound quality. The wives and girlfriends just do not understand this unless you explain it to them. It also helps if you explain how you buy and sell used equipment with minimal financial loss. And if you compare the expense (and time spent) to friends that are into golf, lol. You're at home, golfers are never home.

BTW, I'm not talking about crazy box swappers that never even let the dust settle on a piece of equipment. There is no defense for that.

nooshinjohn

I equate my swapping of gear to her swapping of wardrobe... The only difference is I can SELL my gear and aquire another piece without adding to the original investment. She on the other hand, needs to spend ever increasing amounts of money to replace the stuff she donates to Goodwill. I have about 1k worth of her clothing in the trunk of my car now that will just be given away.

When this is pointed out in a joking and non-threatening matter, she just smiles and shuts up.

miner

Do those rules/guidelines apply to all 'swapping'?

nooshinjohn

miner wrote: »

Do those rules/guidelines apply to all 'swapping'?

LOL... no, but if you are smart and judicious in applying those principles, it can get you out of trouble more than once.:p

fishbones

Good points to bring up to the wife on the audio purchase addiction, jaxwired. I'm similar to you in that I had to take a long break from hifi due to my expensive passion for saltwater tournament fishing. But, I'm taking a break (a little burnt out after 15 years straight) from that, so hopefully I can convert her over to hifi? Just wish she had some addictions to support, so I could justify my spendages easier.

But I wouldn't change it. She is great with math and even better at managing money and if it were up to me, I'd probably spend it all! :eek:

kevhed72

Here's a question...has anyone resorted to having stuff shipped to your place of employment, then sneaking it into the house and hooking it up...sort of sad I suppose, but whatever it takes sometimes...:o

fishbones

Lasareath wrote: »

...every single magazine that anybody from Twilight is in!

LMAO, my wife and yours would get along great. She loooves Twilight, although, I have read them all too :eek:...and they are a fantastic read. Make fun of your wives all you want, but if you actually read them...you'll understand.

fishbones

kevhed72 wrote: »

Here's a question...has anyone resorted to having stuff shipped to your place of employment, then sneaking it into the house and hooking it up...sort of sad I suppose, but whatever it takes sometimes...:o

Tsk Tsk!
....umm, not yet!

Amherst

Funny thread.

Comparing the cloths and shoes is a good one.
I actually went so far as to add up all the downloaded itunes between my wife and kids and asked why that expense was OK compared to mine.
Was very surprised to find out how much was spent over the years, totaled way more than the cost of a high quality pre/pro,

Kev's idea also works here too. Don't recognize the difference if the equipment is the same size and color. Hint: the Parasound halo line does not hide well.

Lumpwithgoodear

:rolleyes:Jax!!!! I got an idea if you got one of your extra tweeters you could strap it across mouth you might like the new sounds that come out! LMFAO!:D:cool:I'm sure if I put a pair of glasses on and a cup I could collect enough for RDO194;)

tonyb

I've been lucky in that respect,that I have a wife that appreciates good music and good SQ. Whenever I make a change in gear,I just make sure the SQ will be noticable so the cash layout never becomes an issue. Plus I don't waste money on other things, like designer clothes,other hobbies, etc. I'm pretty much a miser, but when I do spend it, it's in the thousands so I have to be carefull not to do it too often. The other rule I have applied to myself is if you want something new or different,you have to sell something to get it. That way the net cash outlay is minimal and so far,we have never argued over it. My wife has a great passion for music,but untill she met me,she didn't know or understand quality.....sound quality, that brings the music's passion forward. She now makes comments about poor sound quality where ever we may be....I just smile and nod my head.

dpowell

Amherst wrote: »

Don't recognize the difference if the equipment is the same size and color. Hint: the Parasound halo line does not hide well.

This suggestion only works if you don't have small kids in the house that blab what you're doing. Last time I replaced the pre in my 2-channel rig, my 4-year old son helped me and then went and told mommy that we just installed a new amplifier.

GoBigBlue

kevhed72 wrote: »

Here's a question...has anyone resorted to having stuff shipped to your place of employment, then sneaking it into the house and hooking it up...sort of sad I suppose, but whatever it takes sometimes...:o

I did this in college. I had my speakers shipped to my dorm and came home late at night when I knew everyone was asleep. The only difference is I had a girlfriend and parents to hide my Monitor 60s from.

cnh

My wife is a shutterbug....cameras and phones are her addictions. She probably took THOUSANDS of shots this last year in Asia. But I still can't make the link from stills and videos to audio convincing to her though she goes through cameras like some women go through clothes so you'd think I'd have a chance?

Oh well......

cnh

Danny Tse

kevhed72 wrote: »

Here's a question...has anyone resorted to having stuff shipped to your place of employment, then sneaking it into the house and hooking it up...sort of sad I suppose, but whatever it takes sometimes...:o

Oh yes, my music purchases. I don't switch components that often, so I'm good for that. But it's hard to explain why I have 5 (or more) copies/versions of the same album

treitz3

So, basically you tell the truth?

lightman1

I am a single, balding, could give a f*ck individual. The only entity I have to answer to is my bank account. Ya dipshits!

Ranger0912

Whenever I get inquiries about audio expenditures I point to the 200+ (I'm not kidding) pairs of shoes in her various closets. Touche...

madmax

Man cook with flame. Man choose upgrade.