What directions has your audio hobby taken you?

phoneisbusy

This hobby has evolved from a simple interest on speaker placement and tweaking for my RT12's into some upgrades to a HT setup and now to the assembly of a two channel rig.

The unexpected path that I've been down lately has been in the area of subwoofer construction and now speaker design. It's an interesting topic that I can just barely follow. I expect some day I may try my hand at building my own speakers.

Just wondering if anyone would care to share their experiences with this hobby that borders on fantical at times.

regards

Dave

gatemplin

I started coming to forums just to learn about speaker placement etc with no intention of posting but I got hooked. I have built a few subs, speaker stands and flexy rack. Now I also want to design my own speakers but realize it is very hard to do it right on your own. I am thinking about building a kit based upon the upcoming 4.5" driver from Adire Audio using the XBL2 motor.
This hobby is expensive but it is also rewarding. Especially when you build something yourself.

Graham

faster100

for me, For years i thought i knew about audio and HT because i knew alot more then the people i knew and hung out with and thought my setup sounded good, That was however until i came to club polk.. I signed up a year or longer before i started posting.. I just thought it was part of the warranty signup,


Then one day i just came inside, where i learned so much, changed my taste and idea's on movies and music.. and what a spl meter realy does. when i took a break from the board for 4 months i never feal the need for upgrades... just kinda was happy with what i had, soon as i came back and all the talk daily of new toys, new speakers, gear, I ended up getting a Pb2-isd, dvd-audio player and daily think about what i should get to improve.. so to say this board keeps you thinking is true... i gotta take another break just so i stop thinking about buying stuff

I now listen to jazz, smooth jazz, lots of action movies (a must with the svs) classical music... Ive grown largely due to the info i have learned and soaked up around here.

It's been great, but it kills the bank account... all this talk keeps me wanting more....

Jstas

In the general direction of the poor house.

I'll be in the dog house too probably when the SWMBO finds out what I just grabbed.

Shizelbs

I am just starting more or less, but I find myself being draw away from HT and more towards high quality 2 channel, be that stereo or headphones.

Ron-P

I'm right there with Jstas. It's taken me to a new low in the checking account. But, at least it's all mine and does not belong to some credit card company.


Peace Out~:D

organ

Away from HT and concentrate on 2ch. Also, I used to think a single box to do all the job was best but now I'm seperates all the way. So far my system starts here: Source-->Jitter reducer-->DAC-->Pre amp-->amp-->and of course, speakers.

Maurice

dragon1952

I had a Dolby Pro-Logic setup already...a pretty nice setup upstairs which I hardly used anymore, and kind of a rinky -dink setup downstairs, when the analog audio connections crapped out on my two Toshiba DVD players (at practically the same time). They did have digital audio outs though so I figured maybe it's a good time to upgrade both receivers to new ones with digital inputs. It's been downhill ever since. Here's what I've bought and sold in the last year.
1) Bought an Integra DTR 7 HT receiver for upstairs
and a Kenwood KR-6050 for downstairs.
2) Bought 3 Audiosource Amp One's
3) Bought an Onkyo M-501 2-channel amp
Now I get interested in 2-channel-
4) Bought a vintage Hafler DH-110 2-channel pre-amp
5) Bought a Sherwood Newcastle CD player
6) Bought a vintage Marantz 2270 receiver
7) Bought a vintage Marantz 2250 receiver w/ wooden cab.
8) Bought a vintage Marantz 2220 receiver w/ wooden cab.
9) Bought an Audio Alchemy DAC-MAN (external DAC)
10) Sold all 3 Audiosource amps
11) Sold the Onkyo M-501
12) Sold the Hafler DH-110
13) Sold my old Klipsch KG 5.2 mains
14) Sold my old Polk LS-50's and CS-350 center
15) Bought Paradigm Studio 40's
16) Traded my Integra DTR 7 to a friend for his Phase Linear 400 amp and 4000 pre-amp w/ wooden cabinets.
17) Bought another Marantz 2270 w/ wooden cab.
18) Bought about 6 different sets of audio cables along the way
19) Forgot this one....Bought an Infinity IL-120 sub
20) Bought an old set of Advent Graduate bookshelfs.

I think that's about it, but I swear to God this whole thing started strictly because the analog audio went out on the DVD players.
Un-freakin-believable!

dorokusai

This hobby has provided me Mapquest directions straight to Hell.

-justin-

I now work for Polk Audio

~JB

VR3

Debt

AsSiMiLaTeD

Well I've only been on here for a month or so, and have already made several purchases:

(1) - Harman kardon AVR80MKII
(2) - Klipsch Promedia DD, would have never found that without this forum
(3) - CSi30 Center
(4) - over $300 in cables
(5) - H/K PA2000 amp purchase here
(6) - R10s purhcased here

most of that just a a month or so...

And I'm still fairly new, I know there will be alot more...

phoneisbusy

Originally posted by dorokusai
This hobby has provided me Mapquest directions straight to Hell.

Do we turn left or right at the handbasket?

madmax

So far it has taken me from Maryland to Chicago to pick up some SDA-SRS, to Virginia to deliver some LSi's, to PA for some audio racks, to PA again to deliver some other LSi's, to VA to pick up some 1.2's, to Baltimore to pick up the Polk Audio logo, to Baltimore again for a get-together/tour, to Middletown to pick up a pair of Carver Amazings, and all over the local area to go to audio shops and to UPS.
madmax

Jstas

Originally posted by phoneisbusy
Do we turn left or right at the handbasket?

No, no, no, you are supposed to get IN teh handbasket and then it just takes it from there.

RSTERN

Reaching deeper into the pockets and wanting more gear.

Now my 3 year old wants a stereo in his room. Grandpa gave his old speaker to my son, I sold grandpa some rti70 that I bought on close out. Now looking for a receiver to get him going. Hoping grandpa will upgrade his rec. and pass his old one to his grandson. That will save daddy some money to do some upgrades himself.

Rob Stern

amulford

To divorce court...;)

dorokusai

Jstas and Phone - You got the idea, thanks for being traveling companions No turns involved when you go into the Audio Abyss.

Max - You left this world ages ago, you are 100% Polk crazy. I hope to meet you there when I press the power button in a couple weeks.

kingkip

It all started innocently enough with a HTIB....

mantis

Started as a musican to a 2 channel hobbie/love to Home theater to Working For Tweeter,then Soundex,then back to Tweeter.

I live breathe,sleep,dream audio and video.

Dan

steveinaz

My system has come full circle and I've finally gotten back to the basics---enjoying the music. I don't plan on upgrading anything for a long time, unless I have some technical problems. I've got 2 other expensive hobbies I've been neglecting: My motorcycle and my gun collection!

Man I need a night job....

gidrah

I found the internet relatively recently. After I found all the free **** (about a week) I came here.

Since then, I went from a 2ch guy to a HT guy. I bought the sub, surrounds, center, and a new receiver. I still use the sub and receiver.
I also found the potential of DIY and full range drivers. Now I have a bunch of parts, unfinished projects and a few boxes of full range drivers needing cabinets. Atleast I've made some cables and one pair of speakers out of it.
I have also found the rebirth of tubes, vintage gear and vinyl. This is probably the best part for me. Through forums like this I met a guy that's about an hour away that has stacked A-7s
:eek: This would truly be Trey's wet dream.

Full circle indeed. I'm once again listening to my Polks that were set aside when I hit that DPL faze, but I've been looking into getting my Kenwood pre and amp combo repaired that I used to listen them with. I've gotten a couple more turntables, but still like my Pioneer that I had growing up. Lately, I've given up "the pursuit" and wanting for more prestigious (but not necessarily better) gear and have been enjoying the music much more. Sure I'm on the lookout for a deal when I go to the thriftstore (my new vintage JBLs cost $20 and just need surrounds, or I'll sell "as-is" on E-bay and make a few hundred), but I mainly go there for albums.

PolkWannabie

Audio is to assets as liquid plumber is to a clogged drain, but a lot more fun.

Tour2ma

Over the past two years this forum revived my audio interests and created my HT interest. And that's fine... The problem has been that my free time has allowed me to act on both interests. Add ebay and a few good folk here to the mix and it's been playtime.

I own speakers I've always wanted to own. My interest in vinyl has been reborn. I've discovered tubes...

So Hell... I'm just playing and having a freakin' blast...