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Almost 65 here, retired at 58. So multi K
$ components are out of reach. How 'bout you?
Follow Ups:
I'll be 68 in a couple of weeks, retired at 60. I was able to retire by being frugal in my spending during my working years. Not having kids helped, but I basically started over financially after getting divorced at 40. Our financial situation is fine. Not unlimited money but enough to take care of both needs and wants.
My music room has been repurposed to a sort-of in-law apartment for my mother-in-law so the big system is boxed up and I'm listening to headphones in the basement. I'm glad we can help the MIL and I'm enjoying the headphones, so it's not a bad situation.
I'll probably pull the trigger on a new headphone amp today but am wrestling with paying an extra $30 to get it in silver to match the DAC... When the big system is back in use I would consider more room treatments and maybe a different crossover.
Regards,
Steve
I'm 70, retired at 59. Unless a piece becomes unrepairable no major changes planed.
Thinking about a new network switch, though, prices are all over the board on them.
I'm still busy in my woodworking shop and around our property.
Usually when I get settled down to do fun listening, I sleep through about 1/3 of the music. Then I go back to the last thing I remember and start again.
But every day I remind myself that I am one of the lucky ones; so many friends gone but I am still here enjoying the music...
I turned 67 in November 2023, and retired on December 30th. I'm still a rookie at this retirement thing, but so far so good! One of the biggest differences is that if I got bored at work, I couldn't take a nap!My wife started claiming SS at 62 and I started early in 2023 at 66-4 months, two months shy of FRA, which was inconsequential. We have four grandchildren, two within driving distance and two requiring a plane flight.
I have all the audio and video gear I could want, as long as it all holds up. I enjoy music and movies everyday.
My Dunlavy SC-IVA's still make wonderful music, and I have a pair of Aletha's sitting dormant should the former crap out.
See ya. Dave
Edits: 01/21/24
Almost 55. Pension only starts at 67 for me.
Don't want expensive components. I buy expensive parts. (DIY audio)
Bought most of the gear I wanted way back. Some of it still in use. Anything I want now I'd most likely build or mod within reason.
I'm fairly content with both my set-ups at this point. Over the past few years when I did have a little extra cash on hand, I spent it on home improvements. Ended up being more rewarding in the end. Still enjoy tweaking, but the core components will most likely remain as is.
As mentioned below, life is truly a sine wave of ups and downs. The audio hobby can become pretty minuscule in its importance when a true crisis occurs.
I just turned 77 and am sometimes amazed that I have been on earth for over three quarters of a century. The culture that I grew up in is largely gone: well off factory workers who could afford houses and families to raise in them. And the popular culture of today would be utterly shocking to my parents, who passed away in the 1960s. But, I have in our dining room hutch a picture of my grandfather standing on a 4th of July parade float in 1905 that is being pulled by a horse. He is standing next to a 10 foot tall bag of Pilsbury flour wearing a derby hat. He died in 1936 and in 1905 would not have been able to imagine the world that I grew up in. And today's kids will live in a world that I cannot imagine. So, when I see a pretty girl with a silver horse shoe hanging out of her nose, I just tell myself that she will live her life in a very different place than the one I lived in. And afterwards, I go home and listen to some music.
Edits: 01/18/24
I just turned 76, retired ten years ago. I have been extremely fortunate as my wife of 55 years and I are in pretty good physical shape for oldsters.Like a lot of guys, I have a fair amount of disposable income I can use to buy toys (woodworking tools, art supplies, audio gear, etc.) but at this stage in life, I'm always asking myself whether a purchase is really necessary, or will I get enough use out of an item to warrant buying it? I'd love to get a lute, but good ones are expensive and there's a 4-5 year waiting list on instruments made by really good luthiers. Will I even live long enough to get one, and will I be in any kind of shape to play it? Don't know, so no lute.
I'm actually looking to downsize in a number of areas including audio. I sold my ARC VT-100 Mk III stereo power amplifier on eBay recently. It was a great amp, but I wasn't using it.
I have two pair of speakers and will sell one pair fairly soon. So it goes.
Cheers,
George
Edits: 01/17/24
I'm used to buying used and I see so many good deals out there, but my frugality stays with me. Over the past month, I've upgraded several times, in my mind, but not in actuality.
I can afford to buy anything I need and almost anything I don't. I really don't understand people who buy things just because they can. I guess buying things make some people happy.As I approach nid-70s, I'm trying to simplify my life and enjoy it, stay healthy, be grateful for all my blessings, and take care of other people. I don't need more stuff and am working hard on resisting the urge buy things.
Edits: 01/17/24 01/17/24
I am soon to be 74, I had been working full time into my mid 60's but my wife was ill for many years and died in Oct. I had kept cutting back my hours to care for her at home which I did. But for the last year I have had no paycheck and spent tons of money for help with home care. And for those who don't know, the health care system is broken in many ways.
But back in the day I used to listen to records every day. I have loved listening to music and have enjoyed the gear as well, but for the last 5 years no music for me. No time for it, no juice for it and no desire for it. I hope that those things will change at some point, but from an economic standpoint, things are different now and will always be. I don't even think of buying gear.
So if you can, enjoy your pursuits now as much as much is possible. Anything can be taken from you.
Norm
My deepest condolences for your loss. And for your struggle. Our health care system is indeed broken. My family has felt it too.
I also hope someday you can get back to playing those records again. Clearly most of us a well into the second half of life and music is one of our greatest sources of joy. Maybe in time you will rediscover that joy.
Yes. And sorry for the Loss that you experienced. Once you get 'Gut Punched' with something like this, I know how it is. You forget to eat, you also have no appetite for music. And you're probably sleeping 12 hours a day.... You probably don't believe it will get better, but it probably will. Hang in there and take one day at a time.
I know how broken the Health Care system is and I wish you good cheer.
I had a Rotavirus 2 weeks ago so my wife did things the best way possible. She's a smart girl and called the Rescue Squad which used to be public for anyone that needed it. It's not anymore and is privatized, and when I was at the hospital I saw loads of people who didn't call them and they were laying on Gernie's in the hallways waiting to be seen. I went right in, got a room, and was out in just under 4 hours after a CatScan and treatment. The phone in the hospital room didn't work so I had to call from the nurses desk. At least the Nurse was super-duper and been doing it 40 years on the midnight shift.
Cost? Fifteen grand and thank god I was covered by our insurance with only a very mild copay for everything. Expensive Virus.
Costs for just about everything everywhere has gone way up. 'Hang in there' is all I can say and good luck.
What a loss. I'm so sorry.It's still one day at a time. You're a saint and I hope you'll get back into the music. Play all your honey's favorites, the ones that she'd make you dance with her.
-Rod
Edits: 01/17/24
Definitely not done. I have spent by far more in the past couple years and will spend more in this year than I have at any period in the past. The new technologies and a much better personal understanding of audio are the culprits.
I'm turning 75 this summer, but there's a few things I'm still going to upgrade. With that being said, I have about 2500 classical Lps still in boxes that I would like to give away for FREE FREE FREE !!! Anyone that's want's to come up to Bellingham, Wa should get their ass up here. Half of them are UK pressings. There's dozens EARLY DG LPs and EPs from 1950-1956. Three of those issues cost me three figures. I'm keeping the mono Jazz from the 50s.....Monk, Coltrane, Jimmy Smith, Clifford Brown, etc etc.
I'm purchasing a Denifrips Pontus II DAC to play back my large SACD collection. The format might not have caught on, but not the case if you love classical .....Glenn Gould, Willi Kempff, Martha Argerich, etc .
I haven't been here for years. I still haven't checked out who's still here. With the subject of age coming up however, I think might know quite a few
I still have two Rega RP 6 TTs.....one for Stereo and the other for Mono, but I've narrowed my collection to a mere 1500.
My future is unknown.....just like the rest of us. I could kick the bucket tomorrow. It's up to God, but while I'm still kicking, I'll keep upgrading or just changing things up whenever this situation.
I still LOVE music and this passion for audio play back. Just discovered Qobuz......new stuff to figure out.
I wish all you guys long life with music as the back drop to it all !!
Tom B.
Hi Tom B,
I, too, have enjoyed your posts over many ears, and you have inspired me to pick up numerous classical LPs that I'm sure I'd have passed over otherwise. 😀
I am interested in the classical LPs! I tried to DM you thru the AA system but maybe it didn't get thru...
Thanks!
I really used to enjoy your posts with pix of the classical LPs you'd been listening to. And I see you still have the Cain & Cains. I've wanted to hear those ever since I saw them in your system. Anyway, good to know you're still kicking and listening. Wishing you the best.
-Bob
Thank's for the well wishes bro. It's great to be back!!
Tom B.
I tried the music setting of my Sony HT A9 sourced via HDMI from a Roon Nucleus, and was surprised to find the sound quality satisfyingly good. So I've simplified to a KEF LS60 with a pair of KEF KC62 subs in the living room and the Sony HT A9 in the media room. This 87 year old is a happy camper with high quality music where I want it and amazing HT.
Check with your local public radio stations to see if they have an audio reader program. Over in Lawrence, KS, KANU prepares audio tapes for people who are vision impaired. This week they have a sale at the Lawrence Public Library that features CDs, LPs, and gently used stereo equipment that has been donated to the station. All the proceeds will go to support the audio reader program. So if you know someone who is blind or is afflicted with macular degeneration, check with those radio stations and do a good deed for your community.
Edits: 01/18/24
I have the SA-KI Ruby. It has an excellent DAC and plays SACD perfectly. Not sure if it's still available, but the new model 30n is probably nearly as good.
berate is 8 and benign is 9
I have one as well and I find it to be a superlative player with CD and SACD, and the DAC is just great. It's built like a tank and it's SIMPLE. I find myself really leaning into simplicity these days, multiple boxes are more clutter and more cables. Maybe if I get my dedicated room back I might opt for separate amps and pre's, but I think the Marantz is a perfect single box solution for not crazy money. I don't care for the looks of the current Marantz SACD player, but I'm sure the sound and functionality are near equivalent.
Link below for a Ruby at TMR.
For bit more money you can get the Venus. I've had both the Pontus and now the Venus. Big step up is sound quality imo. The Pontus had the identical sound of the DAC in my Arcam sacd player. No better, no worse. I could have lived with the Arcam DAC but ordered a Venus some weeks after selling the Ponutus. Wa la. "Perfect sound forever."
I had the same problem so bought a good but fairly inexpensive SACD player from Arcam.
Yean....I figured that out, but I ran into a dude on YT that showed me how it could be done.
Check it out and tell me what you think. It involves a converter box which you plug in your HDMI cable from SACD player ( Blu Ray player) in one end and then you connect a HDMI/I2S cable into the DACs I2S connection....whalla !!
https://youtu.be/FEqHuHDbY4Y?si=rz96E37whKldYQow
Tom B.
Sorry....not the right url
https://youtu.be/FEqHuHDbY4Y?si=mWObYCeesxek0kwh
Tom B.
Thanks. I looked at that video before and then bought the Arcam SACD. player. My CD transport is a Jay's Audio 2. Just great, but hybrid SACDs sound better on the far less expensive Arcam playing the SACD layer than do the same discs playing the Red book layer via the far more expensive Jays and the Denafrips Venus. I was surprised, and makes clear again how great the sonics on SACDs can be.
Thank's for getting back to me with your experience dealing with various delivery methods. Food for thought on my end to be sure.
Tom B.
he has ripped content to native DSD which is supported.
I don't even know what that means. Where did he rip it to and how?
means extracting the files from the disc. I've done that for all my CDs and haven't spun a disk for ten years. Being able to immediately select any track from your media library to multiple systems is a beautiful thing. You spend more time listening than shuffling media to and fro shelves and player.
Such can be done for SACD with tools like "iso2dsd". The destination would be modern high capacity (in terabytes) storage where all your music resides in a single place. Inmate Kal Rubinson takes that approach using a large multi-drive NAS.
Thanks. Too technical for me. I don't mind shuffling through discs and in fact occasionally pick one out at random blindfolded. Play it without looking and am often surprised by something I hadn't heard in years.
.
Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020)
I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010)
Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)
Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)
I live in Wyoming and a guy from Chicago made a trip out here to pick them up. A couple of guys in Colorado bailed out after showing interest. Their loss, if they're vinyl guys.
It's not easy giving classical away. A library might take them for their book sales, but sure aren't going to put them on the shelves. They don't do that with CDs anymore either.
One problem with downsizing is reluctance to part with items. I'm having trouble letting go of my handsome KEF Reference 1s even though I'm not using them. I think of my Thorens 124 with its intriguing SME III arm as a visual icon that I don't use but enjoy looking at. Maybe I'll add the KEFs.
66 today as a matter of fact. I haven't done upgrades in more than 20 years and don't feel the need. My plan is to maintain the system at it's current level until I die.
When we hit fixed income (at most 2.5 years from now) my vision is I will sell vinyl to keep the hobby going without stretching fixed income or savings.
Stopped upgrading when I could afford further upgrades based on a belief that I had reached a level beyond which no further enjoyment could be achieved. Considering my last upgrades provided a great increase in enjoyment I'd be hard pressed not to take a big hit with a downgrade.
Vinyl and collecting media is secondary to my enjoyment of music which is dependent on the quality of the audio system.
Need to get a headphone system in place for an RPi + hard drive just in case I end up in a hospital bed hooked up to a machine.
Hit the big 70 this year and have been semi-retired for 10 years or so. Of course, improvements and maintenance on the house keep be busy as well.
As to more gear, I don't see any need for more. My biggest purchases were a pair of Altec Model 19s and McIntosh MC-30s to drive them about 4 years ago. Otherwise, I added a couple of ~$1K DACs and a PS Audio S300 amplifier when they had a big sale at 40% off. But that's been a couple years now.
Currently, I'm selling gear rather than buying more. I'll use the cash to partly fund a trip to Ireland, Scotland and Norway that we're planning for May/June. Anyone need some tube amps?
-Rod
70 years old. I retired at 59.
I feel I'm as busy now, as I was when I was working.
I hear people talk about being bored in their retirement. There are times I would except a couple weeks of board.
Don't give me wrong. I enjoy my daily activities. Sometimes I put too many things on my list though by saying yes to helping family and friends.
Each week goes by faster than I ever imagine unless I am trying to cut out wine consumption.
Then it drags by a bit.
Very content with my system. I think the only way I will make changes if some is of equipment, stop functioning, and is not repairable.
I really enjoy my semi retirement life. Since turning 60 two years ago, I feel time goes particularly fast to the point that almost scares me.
Just enjoy life while you still can. Whatever in your bucket list, do it.
Recently retired at 66.
Have enjoyed my dream speakers since 2005 which is the foundation for my system. My gear is multi K but purchased long ago (much decade or more so), is "good enough" and has proven to be reliable in the long run. I plan to send the Sound Lab backplates back to Utah for checkout and minor mod that I've been putting off for a while.
Recently de-contented garage system using modest gear after experimenting with some "new" stuff. Actually spend more time with it than the main system as I enjoy the outdoors. We got the Arctic blast in the mid south so I bundled up and played some music there during snowfall. Fortunately, my neighbors are good with that as it faces their (still under renovation) house.
I enjoyed climbing the mountain for years to hear some of the very best and had two reviewer mentors who helped me achieve that. I appreciate what is possible but I'm well content with what I have. Looking forward to going to an intimate Liz Story concert later this week and the symphony towards the end of the month.
Live is truly where the beauty lives and remains my reference. :)
Beautiful, even if 3 weeks late. In DFW we got a literal dusting Sunday night. It pretty much closed the metroplex down.
About ten years ago, we purchased our first of several AWD vehicles so that we could still get around our small college town. No need to travel great distances - just out of the neighborhood and down the main roads which are clear at least for one lane pretty quickly.
The university where wifey teaches has been closed so we took a three mile "cold walk" around the golf course. She gets a lot of work done in our home office and working behind me right now!
As you know, my Honda Passport is silver.I am still very impressed with Honda's "Intelligent Variable Torque Management" ( i-VTM4 ) All-Wheel-Drive system. It helps a lot in the snow as well as cornering on dry pavement not to mention getting out of tough spots. Not all AWD are created equal. In fact, Honda doesn't offer i-VTM4 in some of their smaller vehicles like the CR-V. The CR-V uses a less capable AWD setup.
Subaru is excellent too.
Wife is considering a Subaru at some point to replace her 11 year old Honda CR-V. It still runs perfectly with no issues but she wants a refresh with some added features. The newest CR-V's have a couple significant compromises like no spare tire in the higher trims.
Edits: 01/16/24 01/16/24
It helps a lot in the snow as well as cornering on dry pavement not to mention getting out of tough spots. Not all AWD are created equal.
I didn't fully appreciate the difference between that and the basic AWD system used by my former Ridgeline until after the purchase. With the RL, the vehicle is largely FWD. Only when the computer senses slip does the rear diff get any torque and equally to both sides. Which for the most part works fine to negotiate traction problems.
Soon after we got the Passport, we were driving back from the F1 at COTA on some twisty two lane roads and I was impressed how well the somewhat highish and large vehicle negotiated them. I'm sure you've watched the i-VTM4 display and see that torque is always delivered to the rear upon acceleration and applies more to the outside rear tire upon cornering - much like when you place more weight on the opposite heel while turning on snow skis.
My nephew-in-law Honda mechanic says the earlier versions indicated direction but not magnitude as the current one does via the number of diagonal stripes.
Accelerating...
Turning right...
BTW, he and my niece are expecting their second child. She was driving an older MDX but he found a great deal on a recent Odyssey better suited for two kids. Immediately, he replaced the brake rotors and pads all around, changed the oil, coolant, plugs and...installed a muzzler having repaired a number of engines due to the added wear and spark plug fouling on the front bank. His only concern was losing mileage and performed an experiment. The drove the 350 mile trip here around Christmas without and returned with it attached. Results? 22.6 without on ECO and 24.1 WITH the muzzler. He's a believer as well with the win/win results.
I'm amazed that the Passport engine just loafs along at 1500 RPM at 62 MPH and 2000 RPM at 80!
Many of my former colleagues in Utah drive Subes. Largely boring from a driving enthusiast perspective, but reliable and quite capable in wintry climates. I think you're stuck with a CV tranny with either choice.
You can get Social Security as early as age 62. At 67, you get your full benefit amount, but if you wait until age 70, you can get up to 124 percent of your full amount. For illustration purposes, let's say your 100 percent amount is $1,500 a month. Do you realize that, in two months, you could buy a very nice pair of subwoofers, and the next month, you could buy a very nice preamp, and by the end of the first year, a very nice pair of speakers.I'm not suggesting that you wait until 67 to do any of this - who knows what the future holds?
Remind me, are you the Ozzie that goes out to hear live jazz in the Dallas area, or is that the other Ozzy (with a 'y')?
*********
We are inclusive and diverse, but dissent will not be tolerated.
Edits: 01/16/24
I'm 68. My wife turns 68 in April. I've been retired for a long time - like nearly a decade. She is still working - healthcare worker earning more now than ever and with great insurance. Her goal is to retire at 70. If we collect both then (doesn't make sense to do it while she's still earning top dollar) our combined SS income will be more than $1000 a month more than what she takes home now, and that will leave us with options.
My combined systems in use - main rig and outdoor setup - cost me roughly $15,000 between 2004 and now. That doesn't include things I still own that I'm either selling or fixing up to keep. I feel blessed that I can afford to spend this much. I've heard much more expensive systems that sound great and quite a few much less expensive ones that sound nearly as good to me as mine - different, but not better. I've also heard some disasters that were ear bleeders that the owners liked a lot.
Will I live long enough to make a delayed SS decision financially viable for me? Probably not. But this ensures that my wife will be taken care of long after I'm gone. She and I listen to music together all the time. She's not an "audiophile" but she has a great ear.
Do you realize that, in two months, you could buy a very nice pair of subwoofers, and the next month, you could buy a very nice preamp, and by the end of the first year, a very nice pair of speakers.
Using your example, buy them three years earlier with the $54,000 in pre-inflated dollars you got prior to waiting!
I started collecting SS at 62. Have been collecting pension, and have a sugar momma a few years younger than I. We only get to hear music out once every two weeks now. Lucinda Willisms this week. To me she sounds like she's on downers, but Kathie likes her.
Edits: 01/16/24
That's my goal for starting to collect SS. We'll see if that turns out to be a good idea or a bad idea. It ain't that far off...
all the best,
mrh
Yup, if you're healthy and don't need the cash. Some of the accountants would hedge the bet and take SS between 68 and 69. I'd expected to wait until 70, but I looked at the numbers that I'd get by taking it at 69 and 6 months didn't make much difference. And the cash now would take another couple years beyond 84 to catch up overall at the $50-70 overall at 70 each month.
-Rod
And the cash now would take another couple years beyond 84 to catch up overall at the $50-70 overall at 70 each month.
The opportunity cost for investments used instead and high inflation have erased all of the annual 8% benefit (and then some) in the past couple of years .
I took mine at 70. Think of it as 'Old Age' Insurance, where you are betting on yourself.Instead of Fire, Auto, Life and Health Insurance where you are betting against yourself. No one wants to collect on any of these policies.
There are also a lot of benefits, if you are married. If you should die early, your Spouse will get to collect the Larger of the amounts. And if your wife is a lot younger than yourself, the smart move is for you to collect at age 70 and her at age 62.
A guy that I used to communicate on the Early Retirement Forum, wrote a book on this and has an on-line Calculator, where you can run your own numbers. Basically, all you have to know besides your age etc. is your PIA.
Link Below.
Edits: 01/16/24
you'll live past about 84. That hasn't been the norm with my immediate family.
I chose FRA also because my wife and I have comfortable retirement savings.
66 found me a few months ago. Retired at 61. Sittin' on more than I know what to do with, but it won't be going toward audio gear. I've been set for over 15 years. The last thing I bought was the Acoustat Model Threes a couple years ago which I didn't need but wasn't about to pass up. Electrostatics are rare around here. Every piece, except for my B&0 4004 and Marantz HT 5.1 preamp and amp, were bought used for stupid low prices.
By stupid, I mean stuff like a mint McIntosh C28 for $30...MC275, C22, and two ML-1C for $250....Acoustat 2+2 for $275. I don't see steals like that anymore.
These days (years) I'm thinning the herd. Too much.
Your interest may vary but the results will be same. (Byrd 2020)
I can't compete with the dead. (Buck W. 2010)
Cowards can't be heroes. (Byrd 2017)
Why don't catfish have kittens? (Moe Howard 1937)
to get what I think I want.
I am not unhappy with what I have here.My boat's similar to yours -- I retired at 56, although I do consult a little bit, and teach one grad-level course (semester-long) every calendar year.
Fortunately, when we lived in MA, the Harvard towndumptransfer station and its "swap pile" were very kind. :)I have reached the point where I am trying to effect (or at least to start to effect) some meaningful de-acquisition.
all the best,
mrh
Edits: 01/16/24
65 here, still working, no end in sight.Big money gear was never something I considered, unless it was old and at least 50% down in value.
I listen to my main rig only occasionally, while daily spending time in my home office listening to a small vintage system I put together for short money.
The advantage of listening to the main system less frequently is that when I do sit in its sweet spot I am captivated ...completely blown away.
High dollar gear increases expectations and when not met ...well, that's no fun.
Dean.
reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.
Edits: 01/16/24
I can't afford shit anymore. I took all my investments and put it into the house, new roof, new plumbing, new fridge, and a whole lot more the house needed a couple years ago. I HAD to. Storm Ida hit us real hard. I'm just a middle class guy.
So at least I, and maybe a few others here are not enjoying the inflation effects that so many are suffering from. So take a guess who I'm voting for: - it's not drunken spend loving sailors. The future looks potentially better for now. Sail on outa here soon before it gets worse.
One upside may be that you'll appreciate your listening time all the more.
I am seventy four and live alone since my audiophile wife of 51 years died in 2021. I really need some interior home improvements such as new floor covering, but I have just bought and not even yet received a new DEQX Pre 8 preamp, DSP, DAC, streamer, etc. instead. I got it for half price by agreeing to be a beta testor. I couldn't justify buying it otherwise. I eagerly await the Pre 8's arrival.
I dream of an America where a chicken can cross the road without having it's motives questioned.
Always having to deal with limited funds I learned early to look for value , I'll be 79 in March, retired at 65, and it's true more than ever.
Fortunately today value is easier to find, especially in case of electronics. Various preamps and DACs <$1k are virtually SOTA; amplifiers <$2k. Raspberry Pi as a music streamer is very viable. so is a Windows mini-PC: I just bought one for <$200: see post in Computer Audio.
SOTA speakers aren't quite so easy to find at low prices, but a few makers are producing models of relatively high value/$, e.g. Revel, KEF. Self-power speakers are worth checking out.
Like AbeCollins says, a lot of us could do to loose some prejudices. Part of the puzzle for finding high value products ought to include checking out objective reviews, (yes, definitely including ASR).
Dmitri Shostakovich
the 80/20 rule! Also known as the Parento Prinicple.
Applied to hifi, it means that 80% of the best sound reproduction available can be achieved with 20% of the investment (assuming one invests wisely).
I've been well satisfied with my investments. $3400 speakers, $2400 tube amp, $500 preamp, and $150 DAC.
At this point I can't really justify buying a piece unless I sell its predecessor for a decent return, and maybe not even then. Fortunately, I'm very much in love with my current system. Honestly it's probably time to start simplifying and downsizing, but it's hard to let go. Especially when it sounds so good.
. . . in theory, practice and theory are the same; in practice, they are different . . .
Edits: 01/15/24
I can afford much more than my current budget setup (by audiophile standards) but why would I go down that rabbit hole when I've already been there and back? I've had my share of somewhat expensive gear over the decades including several power amps, preamps, integrated amps, phono preamps, CDPs, cables, speakers, TTs, cartridges, and DACs.My recent journey has been more about bang for the buck which only confirms what I learned early on in this hobby. That is, the law of diminishing returns sets in fast where no amount of additional slick marketing (or money!) guarantees better sonic performance. In fact, I'll take my somewhat budget setup over significantly pricier and more prestigious brands that I've had in the past. I can list several only average pieces along with some real duds but I won't go into it now.
I have also learned to keep an open mind and trust my ears rather than clinging to old brainwashed myths that live on today. You know, switching power supplies bad, op-amps bad, negative feedback bad, Class D bad. Throw ALL of that out the window and LISTEN without prejudice.
Edits: 01/15/24 01/15/24
Abe-
I am looking forward to your adding those CS 2.4 speakers back into the System.
Unless my wife grows taller the shorter Tannoys will remain in place. The Thiels block her view of the tv screen from her favorite chair.
Oh well.... happy wife or bigger speakers ??
In April it'll have been 10 years since I turned 50 (nicer way of telling people I'm turning 60...?).
Money... not a boat load. Last new purchase was my sub (Martin Logan 1100x), couple years old I think now. That was a big deal for me.
Very happy with what I have.
Still in the grind with bad hours, one kid in college, one on the way...- II am A well compensated professional and cannot imagine who the audio press appeals to. Last purchase was 2 YA: vpi deck. Speakers were harbeth in 2011. Pre was BAT in 2001. It's crazy what gets reviewed, recommended.
Rpi with Roon is awesome
"Rpi with Roon is awesome"
RE : Rpi. Some manufacturers think it's awesome too including Bryston and Boulder. They both use the cheap DIY Rpi hobby computer board as the basis for streaming capability in their pricey DACs.
I'm 87 and downsizing. Recently bought KEF LS60 for music, Sony HT A9 for HT. Plan to sell everything except Ayre DX-5 DSD and Oppo 205 disc players.
db-
Let me know when you want to sell AYRE DX-5 DSD player.
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