Esoteric K-01Xs / K-03Xs

[1KW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

myjazz123.......I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to think my Esoteric K-01X won't continue to completely satisfy me. I'll pass on the "s" model, and the next, and the next.... forget about the hardware merry-go-round. Your other option is to go nuts and broke chasing the proverbial next best thing.

Now Dan.. Who do you think you are fooling

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by 1KW

So Ivan which is better to buy, the older K-01X or the new K-03XS ?

Define better? K-01X are only available used without a warranty.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by jdandy

myjazz123.......I have absolutely no reason whatsoever to think my Esoteric K-01X won't continue to completely satisfy me. I'll pass on the "s" model, and the next, and the next.... forget about the hardware merry-go-round. Your other option is to go nuts and broke chasing the proverbial next best thing.

Originally Posted by 1KW

Now Dan.. Who do you think you are fooling

David.......I'm not trying to fool anyone. Once I achieved a performance level with my sound systems that continuously leaves me in awe every time I sit down to listen, I no longer feel a need to keep shopping. Simple as that.

Every manufacturer will continuously alter designs to entice buyers to abandon what they own for the latest and greatest, that is if it really is the greatest. No offense to those wanting to embrace current offerings, but my sound system interests and desires have been satisfied. After spending nearly $200K on audio components, cables, speakers, and tweaks in the past 12 years or so, I have no plans to continue riding the merry-go-round. Audio equipment is not an investment, it is a depreciating liability. Every time you grab the next rung you say goodbye to a healthy sum of money as you move up, not only in the additional cost of new gear but also in unrecoverable dollars lost in gear that is traded or sold. The quest for the elusive audio nirvana is a never ending ordeal if left unchecked. There is no "best", only "more". The key for me has been to purchase and assemble the system I have always wanted and then enjoy what I have rather than constantly lusting after what I don't have. I am at a point now where it is unlikely I will purchase any new gear unless I have an equipment failure that cannot be repaired. I realize this is a major attitude change for me from my past behavior, but focusing on what I have built for my listening pleasure makes the most sense now.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I am not trying to fool anyone. In fact, I have fooled myself more times than I should. It gets expensive quick. My philosophy may or may not make sense to someone else, but at this stage of my life it makes perfect sense to me.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......I'm not trying to fool anyone. Once I achieved a performance level with my sound systems that continuously leaves me in awe every time I sit down to listen, I no longer feel a need to keep shopping. Simple as that.

Every manufacturer will continuously alter designs to entice buyers to abandon what they own for the latest and greatest, that is if it really is the greatest. No offense to those wanting to embrace current offerings, but my sound system interests and desires have been satisfied. After spending nearly $200K on audio components, cables, speakers, and tweaks in the past 12 years or so, I have no plans to continue riding the merry-go-round. Audio equipment is not an investments, it is a depreciating liability. Every time you grab the next rung you say goodbye to a healthy sum of money as you move up, not only in the additional cost of new gear but also in unrecoverable dollars lost in gear that is traded or sold. The quest for the elusive audio nirvana is a never ending ordeal if left unchecked. There is no "best", only "more". The key for me has been to purchase and assemble the system I have always wanted and then enjoy what I have rather than constantly lusting after what I don't have. I am at a point now where it is unlikely I will purchase any new gear unless I have an equipment failure that cannot be repaired. I realize this is a major attitude change for me from my past behavior, but focusing on what I have built for my pleasure make the most sense now.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I am not trying to fool anyone. In fact, I have fooled myself more times than I should. It gets expensive quick. My philosophy may or may not make sense to someone else, but at this stage of my life it makes perfect sense to me.

Dan, I applaud your post and rational thinking in this often irrational hobby. I have also invested some serious money into this hobby before and it is amazing how quickly and to what crazy amounts it adds up to but between the gear and the room, I was easily into the $300k territory which is just absurd if you think about it. The funny thing is, once the fog of the addiction lifts, one is left thinking, for what? To extract the maximum performance and analyzing pre-recorded music? like some mad scientist? Music is music and can be enjoyed even on a Sonos speaker running in mono if one really thinks about it.

I took 4 years off from the hobby and came back to start from scratch. Knowing I would never spend that kind of $$$ on this hobby again, I am extremely pleased with the results of my much more modest Luxman/Harbeth combo that brings me joy each day. I have NO plans to upgrade, it will last until it doesn't sing no more. Last audio system for this lifetime? So be it, I've had my fun.

[Masterlu]

Me too, I’m Done!... for today.

[mchydro]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Me too, I’m Done!... for today. [emoji23]

Sick, sick man. Lol [emoji23]

[1KW]

Originally Posted by jdandy

David.......I'm not trying to fool anyone. Once I achieved a performance level with my sound systems that continuously leaves me in awe every time I sit down to listen, I no longer feel a need to keep shopping. Simple as that.

Every manufacturer will continuously alter designs to entice buyers to abandon what they own for the latest and greatest, that is if it really is the greatest. No offense to those wanting to embrace current offerings, but my sound system interests and desires have been satisfied. After spending nearly $200K on audio components, cables, speakers, and tweaks in the past 12 years or so, I have no plans to continue riding the merry-go-round. Audio equipment is not an investment, it is a depreciating liability. Every time you grab the next rung you say goodbye to a healthy sum of money as you move up, not only in the additional cost of new gear but also in unrecoverable dollars lost in gear that is traded or sold. The quest for the elusive audio nirvana is a never ending ordeal if left unchecked. There is no "best", only "more". The key for me has been to purchase and assemble the system I have always wanted and then enjoy what I have rather than constantly lusting after what I don't have. I am at a point now where it is unlikely I will purchase any new gear unless I have an equipment failure that cannot be repaired. I realize this is a major attitude change for me from my past behavior, but focusing on what I have built for my listening pleasure make the most sense now.

Like I said at the beginning of this post, I am not trying to fool anyone. In fact, I have fooled myself more times than I should. It gets expensive quick. My philosophy may or may not make sense to someone else, but at this stage of my life it makes perfect sense to me.

Dan I was in this camp for years but this is a big change from your past behavior, Go FoR IT Dan

[djwhog]

Over nothin is over,,,, till we say its over... "John Animal house"

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Dan, I applaud your post and rational thinking in this often irrational hobby. I have also invested some serious money into this hobby before and it is amazing how quickly and to what crazy amounts it adds up to but between the gear and the room, I was easily into the $300k territory which is just absurd if you think about it. The funny thing is, once the fog of the addiction lifts, one is left thinking, for what? To extract the maximum performance and analyzing pre-recorded music? like some mad scientist? Music is music and can be enjoyed even on a Sonos speaker running in mono if one really thinks about it.

I took 4 years off from the hobby and came back to start from scratch. Knowing I would never spend that kind of $$$ on this hobby again, I am extremely pleased with the results of my much more modest Luxman/Harbeth combo that brings me joy each day. I have NO plans to upgrade, it will last until it doesn't sing no more. Last audio system for this lifetime? So be it, I've had my fun.

Serge.......I am in agreement with you. It is like an addiction, and each fix requires a bit more to maintain the level that interests you at that moment. One day you look around a say holy mackerel, I have spent some serious cash on this leisure time activity. In addition to the two-channel gear and home theater gear that has crossed my threshold during this time, I also equipped a personal recording studio with pro level gear, premium guitars, keyboards, microphones and and related equipment, plus constructed the control room and studio addition onto my home to house it all. Money was flowing fast and furious. Add to that my crazy love affair with new automobiles, trucks, and SUV's, eight brand new vehicles in 12 years, and you can practically see the greenbacks flying out the window. I don't even want to think about the grand total of all of it.

This past year has seen me slow way down. The pace of the past decade or more is unsustainable without tapping on the brakes a bit, and also because my enthusiasm has diminished for sustaining a leading edge posture. I imagine my age has something to do with the latter as I slow down. I am happy and comfortable, and really don't need anything more than what I already have. Life is good.

[cma29]

Some good musings on this thread from wise men. Thanks for sharing.