Where do you stop?

[Still-One]

Even before the disaster of the current stock market I was close to calling myself done. I only have a couple of cables I want to upgrade along with adding some HRS amp stands under my Momentum's. There is no way I can justify moving up to XLF's (or its upcoming replacement) for negligible SQ improvements. Same with moving to Relentless, Magnum Opus or to a better TT which I would seldom if ever use. There are a couple of speakers that might be considered lateral moves I might consider just for change sake. So in summary I guess I am about done.

[W9TR]

I stop when it stops being fun! That’s happened a few times in the past- the bad old days of crappy production vinyl, poorly mastered CD’s, and vacuous ‘audiophile’ titles. Amanda McBroom still makes me want to puke.

Lately it’s just been a blast and I fully expect that to continue forever! I get more enjoyment out of my systems now than I ever have. This streaming thing might catch on.

With two houses there is always something to tweak or improve.

The lake house system is hardly state-of-the-art with vintage Ohm F speakers and McIntosh ‘new vintage’ electronics. It’s still super fun to listen to.

If I upgrade it, it will be different, but will it be as much fun? Dunno.

Tom

[Beet Farmer]

Over the years I upgrade a bunch, say over a year, then stop for several years.
Like I retired, and spent the cash bonus for retiring on stereo stuff. Over that year I bought a few other bits. Back in 2010.
The only things I bought in between were a few cables.
This past year, I had a chunk of money doing nothing.. Time to upgrade.
So since Spring I have been upgrading.. Tapering off now.
I want other stuff.. but it is all 'not needed'. The fever of upgrading.... it can really take over!
The SOUND is far better than I had before this year's round of upgrades.
SO I am happy.

[1KW]

Dan what you are talking about is " The Lu Flu" and everyone on this forum is infected
As Ivan said, I doubt I will ever be cured but came off the merry go round until I found what I wanted at reasonable deal. I pretty much love all the speakers I have and they are the most expensive part of my system individually. I will no doubt make changes to my digital components and other electronics .

[Maks]

I've stopped with big purchases, at some point you are getting "different" vs "better" IMO. In the last 10 years (probably longer at this point), I went from a Marantz AV receiver, to various McIntosh separates and now I'm settled w/what I have. All were big improvements along the way. This year has mainly been tweaks/cables, the only more expensive purchase I have lined up is a new cart for my VPI TT. Nothing wrong with upgrading, but I like just sitting back and enjoying the tunes vs worrying that a better, newer, shinier thing just came out.

Edit: Oh and 2019 may be the year I finally get some sort of music server like an Aurender.

[1KW]

When I brought my Sonus Faber Guarneri speakers to my place in Naples I promised myself I wouldn’t build another Mcintosh system and would try to get by with a sonos amp and sub. since I already had one. Then I spoke to Ivan who made a recommendedation .... as Fagan said in Oliver “...I think I better think it over again “. Seriously it’s a hobby and the hunt is part of the fun . Sometimes it’s the hunt for a certain record or piece of gear or accessory. Sometimes it’s setting up something you have in a different home as it is in my case . I also brought down some outdoor speakers for my Lanai and will be moving the sonos amplifier to those speakers.

[1KW]

..... “So, when will I stop? Never, and you can quote me on that. ...Master Lu”


Ivan this should be your tag line by your avatar

[Bar81]

Ultimately, you get tired - it might be a particular event that breaks you or a series of events with something smaller at the end that is the straw that breaks the proverbial camel's back. It also helps if that point coincides with your system never having sounded better.

Part of it is financial - you get tired of spending ever more significantly increasing amounts for ever smaller increases in absolute performance. Part of it is exhaustion - you are chasing the elusive live sound and one day many many years later the truth that the chase has no end finally cements itself in your consciousness.

For me, it was the purchase of the D'Ag M400 monos that did it. The price tag really made me choke and I just can't make the financial commitment required for the next jump in performance (and given how good my system sounds I'm not sure I want to) and I'm also tired of the chase after 15 years and want to focus my efforts elsewhere.

I'm pretty much done other than some very minor tweaks over the next month or so.

[keef]

When the cows come home...

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by Bar81

I'm pretty much done other than some very minor tweaks over the next month or so.