Does more expensive system give you more pleasure?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Freestone.......I don't long for yesteryear. Those sound systems, as good as they were, can't hold a candle to what I am enjoying today.

X 10,000

[Amfibius]

Does eating in an expensive restaurant give you more pleasure than a cheap restaurant? Well of course it does ... but that doesn't mean that I don't mind eating in some cheap restaurants every day!

[tweet]

Originally Posted by Pider

I started out determined to keep my system below a certain figure that was way below $10k, for couple reasons. First, I have too many hobbies that require high levels of scarce coin-of-the-realm; second, I just figured I wouldn't be sitting in front of the system listening to music all that much since I am usually doing so many other things, so why spend the big bucks; third, I had to have the system do double duty (HT as well as pure music) and thus the setting made for all kinds of sonic compromises that precluded a high investment. Thus I eschewed the sage advice of many and passed on some very nice opportunities. On the other hand, I was somewhat successful in cobbling together a system that sounds pretty darn good and makes Mel occasionally sit down and enjoy the music, saying things like, "Wow! That sounds great." Occasionally, I actually sit down and say the same thing.

However! I know where the system is lacking. I can actually feel where it is lacking and where I want to be with it. When I say "feel," I really mean it. I can feel where it comes up short. I kick myself every so often that I didn't buy the CJ integrated when I had the opportunity, or didn't get the recently sold Dyn Contour 1.4's, and so on...because I know where I want to go with the system (actually I'll pass straight to the 3.4's....). AND, I only know it in my mind. I haven't gone out and auditioned new gear, or gone out and listened to a buddy's system, or taken the pilgrimage to the Cape or any of those things, I just have been around live music enough in enough good settings that I know what I want that cello to sound like, or the oboe, or ...... the voice.

How much does it cost to get there? I'm still going to try to keep my system within my budget, everyone should be very clear with themselves about that point. However, my music budget keeps creeping up the ladder. I have a cap, though, and if I can get the right gear at the right price points, I might one day be satisfied within that self imposed constraint. But it's all fun. For me, thinking about how to get where I want to be is fun. It's entertaining. Then, sitting down to some good, recently purchased music, sipping on a good wine or other treat, or having a guest or Mel say to me, "Wow!" Now that is worth every penny and more.

So, to answer your question, yes, to a degree, spending more money does matter, but it all depends where you start from and what it is you're trying to achieve. For some the technical aspects of this hobby are more important than the music, while for others it may be just the opposite. For me right now, at this stage of the game, it's about equal. I love getting new music or listening more critically to what I have, but I also am still putting together the pieces of the technical puzzle.

As Bob put it, to each his own.

John - That was an excellent response for post Number 999!

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Gary.......But, and this is a big but, when you play well recorded and mastered material, the $120,000 system will blow the $10,000 system out of the water.

The better my systems became through the years, the more selective I became with which recordings I was willing to purchase. Lucky for my tastes, I am long over much of the music recorded in the 70's, and 80's. I wouldn't listen to it if it was remastered perfectly. I'm burned out on it from over exposure. Thankfully, there are many recording labels doing excellent work, and those recordings and artists are worth seeking out. The source material is the essence of everything else that happens with any system.

Dan,

I met a brand which is both highly detailed and resolved, highly transparent, and yet maintains a very very high listenable level even with average / rather poor recordings. I know that it seems impossible but it happens for real.

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[Rafale]

I prefer by far some music which interests me badly recorded that of the music without interest to my ears but very well recorded, so I do not buy a quality of recording first and foremost but the talent or the interpretation/performance

I can live happy with a much cheaper system and find a lot of pleasure there but I have the possibility of pleasing me... then why not?

Expensively or not, the main quality of a system is not to be boring no ?

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Rafale

I prefer by far some music which interests me badly recorded that of the music without interest to my ears but very well recorded, so I do not buy a quality of recording first and foremost but the talent or the interpretation/performance

I can live happy with a much cheaper system and find a lot of pleasure there but I have the possibility of pleasing me... then why not?

Expensively or not, the main quality of a system is not to be boring no ?

I agree Philippe but with some gear, poor recordings sound so horrible that it is very difficult to focus on the artistic quality of them...,,

Sent from my iPhone using A.Aficionado

[1KW]

Originally Posted by Freestone

There are a lot of really expensive nice systems here.

Do they give you more pleasure than your earlier less expensive systems? Or is it simply a desire to make it "better?"

Does at some point the perfection quest detract from the music?

I was prompted to think about this when I saw someone who had to sell a $120,000 system and said he was happier with his $10,000 system. Maybe he could just relax more and appreciate the music? Or...?

Sometimes are the pleasures in life simpler with lower expectations?

Depends on your financial situation . Spending $120,000 to one person is like $10,000 to another. This is a hobby like any other , I believe it smart to stay within your financial means . A good pair of headphones can be very enjoyable

[Kal Rubinson]

Anecdote: Many years ago, I built the speaker system of my dreams. It was large and complex but no one ever failed to find it a revelation and that included some very experienced audiophiles and speaker builders. I, on the other hand, was obsessed with perfecting it and that, of course, was impossible.

What did I do? After 2-3 years of tweaking, I chucked it! Actually, I sold off the parts, went out to buy a speaker system and began, after a long while, to enjoy listening to music. The new speaker was excellent but it could not hold a candle to mine. However, I was unable to fiddle with it much. Simpler, cheaper and more engaging despite the sound trade-off.

[LordoftheRingsEE]

---Some people here were referring to 'bad music recordings' sounding worst on ultra high-end systems.

I agree but up to a point. What I mean is that some components (electronica) are built specially or accidentally (more with the intent though; through CD upsampling or other means) to make "ordinary" (less than good) CD music recordings sound good!
This is the general exeption though, but there are such components. ...And I just don't know, and don't want to really know how much they cost (more than less fo sur).
I've read about some of them, and I believe those reviews. ...The Burmester 069 CD player ($59,995) comes to mind.

**** If I was richer, my 'audio world' would be proportional to that richness. ...Which amounts to roughly 75% of everything in my life (more or less, and honest).

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Dan,

I met a brand which is both highly detailed and resolved, highly transparent, and yet maintains a very very high listenable level even with average / rather poor recordings. I know that it seems impossible but it happens for real.

Jérôme.......I know you speak the truth.