Crazy Audiophiles Thread #2

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited September 2008 in The Clubhouse
Here are some examples of crazy things audiophiles do:

• Buy a CD, listen it to for a while, throw it away or sell it, then buy it back later because you think your upgraded system will make it sound better.

• Buy an amp you owned before because it was better than the ten other amps you bought since then.

• Call your friends over to listen to your “new” system and it sounds like crap. Your friends walk away unimpressed, wondering why you spent a fortune on a system that doesn’t sound any better than their boombox.

• Tweak your system, rave about how good it sounds, and three days later remove the tweak because it actually made your system sound worse.

• You tell your wife that you don’t plan on upgrading anymore. A week later the UPS guy shows up at your doorstep with a new preamp.

• You make an impulsive purchase and regret it before the component arrives. Sure enough, it sucks, and you sell it as fast as you can.

• You get caught up in the “next great thing” because every audio forum is raving about it, but it sounds like dog poo and you kick yourself for being so gullible.

• You sell your amp to a friend, visit his house one day and the amp sounds great, then you kick yourself for selling it.

• You demo a component, like it, then buy it. Within 24 hours it doesn’t sound as good anymore and you begin thinking about selling it.


Share some of your crazy audio moments.
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by Early B. on
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Comments

  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited September 2008
    Being up at 4:01am looking on Agon, and the FM for stuff I shouldn't be able to afford, and . . posting this.
    -Ignorance is strength -
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    I've bought amplifiers from a manufacturer that were amazing only to resell them shortly thereafter because a few matters of customer service pissed me off so much that I couldn't stand looking at the amps anymore. Months later, I heard an amp from that same manufacturer and regretted ever selling them. So, what do I do? Months later, I go out and buy twice as many amps from the same **** manufacturer as I did the first time around. I am VERY happy though . . . for now. :)
  • jm1
    jm1 Posts: 618
    edited September 2008
    Fortunately I can’t relate to any of these issues. This might be a good time reevaluate your methods of realizing achieving your goals. Good luck with your future “upgrades”.
    All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed, second it is violently opposed and third, it is accepted as self evident.
    Arthur Schopenhauer
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,536
    edited September 2008
    I have, on occasion, chased my tail for sure. Too many changes at once will mess you up big time.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited September 2008
    I have no idea what you guys are talking about.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    jm1 wrote: »
    Fortunately I can’t relate to any of these issues. This might be a good time reevaluate your methods of realizing achieving your goals. Good luck with your future “upgrades”.

    Shut the hell up. Not complaining. Trying everything is the only method as far as I'm concerned.

    (PS, that "shut the hell up" was the "smacking-each-other's-asses-after-a-touchdown" kind of shut the hell up. It only was a term to suggest my personal disagreement with your opinion. Given the sensibilities of some noobs on the forum, I'm forced to explain terse communications with long-winded explanations.)
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2008
    Sounds more like OCD to me. :)
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Shut the hell up. Not complaining. Trying everything is the only method as far as I'm concerned.

    (PS, that "shut the hell up" was the "smacking-each-other's-asses-after-a-touchdown" kind of shut the hell up. It only was a term to suggest my personal disagreement with your opinion. Given the sensibilities of some noobs on the forum, I'm forced to explain terse communications with long-winded explanations.)

    Shut the hell up!!!:D
  • dkg999
    dkg999 Posts: 5,647
    edited September 2008
    I don't understand the problem :confused:
    DKG999
    HT System: LSi9, LSiCx2, LSiFX, LSi7, SVS 20-39 PC+, B&K 507.s2 AVR, B&K Ref 125.2, Tripplite LCR-2400, Cambridge 650BD, Signal Cable PC/SC, BJC IC, Samsung 55" LED

    Music System: Magnepan 1.6QR, SVS SB12+, ARC pre, Parasound HCA1500 vertically bi-amped, Jolida CDP, Pro-Ject RM5.1SE TT, Pro-Ject TubeBox SE phono pre, SBT, PS Audio DLIII DAC
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2008
    Something I've done more than once is to upgrade a component multiple times with very small improvements then upgrade another component (which was the unknown quality limiter) which fully unleashed the full potential of the all the previous upgrades. Oh man, when that happens it all seems worthwhile. :)
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    Shut the hell up!!!:D

    Thank you!
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2008
    I'm sure most of us have done this one -- bought an expensive piece of equipment and expected a huge improvement, only to find that its replacement was better and only a fraction of the cost.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,806
    edited September 2008
    I can't relate to this thread at all. I feel so left out.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited September 2008
    I frequently spend days and dollars upgrading speakers and electronics until I think they sound really good and I finally have the perfect rig; until I sell all of it and start all over of course...
  • John30_30
    John30_30 Posts: 1,024
    edited September 2008
    jm1 wrote: »
    This might be a good time reevaluate your methods of realizing achieving your goals. Good luck with your future “upgrades”.

    Your Audio Horoscope Today ^
  • jephdood
    jephdood Posts: 1,671
    edited September 2008
    Here's my pattern:

    Upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade..

    Wait a second.. why do I have so much $$ tied up in gear?! That's crazy!

    HUGE downgrade..

    Well, now my system sounds like crap. But look! I have all this money from selling my gear! How fortuitous!

    Upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade.. upgrade..

    :)
    "I did not slap you. I high-fived your face."
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2008
    Jstas wrote: »
    I can't relate to this thread at all. I feel so left out.

    If you bought all the right things to start with you are very clever, and a psychic network friend. ;)
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • Jstas
    Jstas Posts: 14,806
    edited September 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    If you bought all the right things to start with you are very clever, and a psychic network friend. ;)
    madmax

    No, I listened to gear first. Lots of it at lots of places and found stuff I liked and went for it. I'm not 100% satisfied. I need a better pre-amp I think but for the most part, I'm content with what I have for now.

    Then again, it is a pair of Amazings powered by Silver 7t's with a Rotel pre-amp and Denon DVD/CD/SACD player so it's not exactly junk but not like stupid, crazy, high-end stuff either.
    Expert Moron Extraordinaire

    You're just jealous 'cause the voices don't talk to you!
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2008
    I think listening is over-rated. After all, a lot of what you hear is the room. I like to choose components by color first, then listen to them in my room. :)
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    I think listening is over-rated.

    Good point. We place far too much emphasis on it. Get into the gear. Listening to music is secondary.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    Good point. We place far too much emphasis on it. Get into the gear. Listening to music is secondary.

    As russman says,
    Ed Zachary

    I always start with purple components.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited September 2008
    madmax wrote: »
    As russman says,
    Ed Zachary

    I always start with purple components.
    madmax


    I'm partial to gold. I even modded my CD player with gold trim. I thought about spray painting my monos in gold to match it.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    My new amps are bright blue to match all the bright lights I got on my CDP. I'm failry certain this decision will reduce all resale value . . . which really screws me cause I'm sure I'll sell them in a week to buy some other amp.
  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2008
    You guys are sick :p
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    You guys are sick :p

    EarlyB started it. . .
  • SlowcarIX
    SlowcarIX Posts: 887
    edited September 2008
    Early B. wrote: »
    I'm partial to gold. I even modded my CD player with gold trim. I thought about spray painting my monos in gold to match it.

    :eek:
    my 7.(1x4) HT setup
    TV - Mitsubishi WD-65734
    AVP / Amp - Onkyo PR-SC885P / D-Sonic 2500-7
    Front - Emerald Physics CS2
    Center - JTR Triple 12LF
    Surround L/R / Back - Polk RTi4 / Polk FXi A4
    Sub - 4 X Hsu ULS15 playing nearfield
    DVD / CDP - Sony PS3/40GB / Sony SCD-XA9000ES
    Belkin PURE AV PF60 / UPS
    Buttkicker

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60612
  • Joe08867
    Joe08867 Posts: 3,919
    edited September 2008
    I think I may go for a nice Brown motif. Black is overrated anyway.
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited September 2008
    Really guys, take an amp, any amp, paint it purple and see if it doesn't sound better.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited September 2008
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    Shut the hell up. Not complaining. Trying everything is the only method as far as I'm concerned.
    Amen
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    (PS, that "shut the hell up" was the "smacking-each-other's-asses-after-a-touchdown" kind of shut the hell up. It only was a term to suggest my personal disagreement with your opinion. Given the sensibilities of some noobs on the forum, I'm forced to explain terse communications with long-winded explanations.)
    Awesome! :cool:
    Being up at 4:01am looking on Agon, and the FM for stuff I shouldn't be able to afford, and . . posting this.
    Everynight for the past couple weeks it seems for me. :rolleyes: I don't have an addiction :mad:
    SolidSqual wrote: »
    My new amps are bright blue to match all the bright lights I got on my CDP.
    Nik can do that for ya ;)
    Joe08867 wrote: »
    I think I may go for a nice Brown motif. Black is overrated anyway.
    madmax wrote: »
    As russman says,
    ...I always start with purple components.
    ...

    How about Yellow-or Pink

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    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
    2-chnl : Pio DV-46AV (SACD), Dodd ELP, Emotiva XPA-1s, XPA-2, Odyssey Khartago, LSi9, SDA-SRS 2 :cool:, SB Duet, MSB & Monarchy DACs, Yamaha PX3 TT, SAE Tuner...
    Pool: Atrium 60's/45's
  • SolidSqual
    SolidSqual Posts: 5,218
    edited September 2008
    You know how I know yur' ****?

    1219514042.jpg

    You like Coldplay!

    key_art_the_40_year_old_virgin.jpg