I have always enjoyed sound system building: searching for the perfect amp, speakers, DAC/streamer, and then applying tweaks, such as isolated power strip, OHNO cryogenic cables, optical LAN, bespoke transceivers and fiber, independent power supplies for switches, Roon NUC, LessLoss firewall for speakers, etc.
Now, everything sounds perfect! Yet, I’m a bit deflated because the quest is finished. No more mountains or even hillocks to climb. Should I continue to read threads about this or that enhancement? Should I continue to cruise 6 Moons, Stereophile magazine, etc.?
Actually, I really am content. Just wondering where I’ll spend my extra minutes! Maybe researching the best single malts, cleaning my closet, or even going to church on Easter Sunday!
There are always new and different things to explore, if only to determine that they don’t do any more for your system than anything you’ve already done!
I think a bit of tinkering is OK if it keeps you occupied and engaged. And I remain curious so I think I will continue to try stuff.
How about just enjoying the perfect sound of the music you like and discovering new music? Wasn’t that one of the reasons why you went through all that effort? Sure, the journey is the goal and tinkering and trying things out is part of the fun, but new challenges will come again.
No, you are completely wrong here. The point of the hobby is to make stuff like Diane Krall sound good. Ever peasant with $20 earbuds can enjoy good music.
Judging by a recent thread (Lumin), you have an eternity to spend ‘listening’ to fibre optic transceiver modules and different brands of fibre optic cable and connectors, So I’m not clear why you think the ‘quest is finished’.
Or perhaps it is time to listen to the music and not the equipment?
The move from multi-mode to single-mode fibre wasn’t as profound as I thought it would be, so I don’t think I’ll be rolling transceivers and fibre cable. On the other hand, I am really enjoying music. My thread was a bit tongue in cheek; I suspect there might be future tweaks.
Have you built the optimal listening room?
There are so many ways to add sound treatments and upgrades to the listening environment. Could keep you busy for a long time.
Have you explored headphones or done any nearfield listening?
Or, maybe try headphones and speakers at the same time?
I’m content with my system and the sound it delivers too, but i still really enjoy reading articles about new gear, watching Darkos videos and of course reading the forums on here. I think keeping abreast of whats happening in the hi-fi/audio world is all part of the hobby, regardless of whether youre in the market for new gear or not.
Fortunately, I have not fallen into the so called “audiophile” trap. I love listening to music but have no desire to throw money at it. I’m actually starting to think I need to sell a few things. I have three DAC’s for away from home plus a Meridian Prime Headphone Amplifier and Power Supply when at home. For casual listening at home, my Bose 5.1 surround system fits the bill quite well.
Whatever makes you happy…
I’ve been toying with the idea of selling my Dragonfly Cobalt and Meridian Prime. I definitely will if I ever drop Tidal or MQA goes away.
Yup, once we find ourselves content, something always comes along… usually brought upon us in the form of, wear and tear, breakage, and updates that may cause outdated, which then creates new purchases… which then… oh no, my head hurts now…
At what price point does Ms Krall even begin to sound good? I know that I can’t afford that, whatever it is.
Just to be sure to also bring along a very, very, very large battery, since ARC is one power hungry monster. ARC can burn through my iPhone 12 Pro Max battery while listening to a standard EP. Never made it through a full album. I use Qobuz, Tidal or PlexAmp when away from home, all of which don’t burn through my phone’s battery.
I agree with others who believe it is time to move on to the music. I mean, there is a non-stop river flowing with new releases of every genre and re-issues of back catalogue. Accessibility to it all—regardless of preferred format—(unless you like tape) is a step away from you. It has never been a better time to be a consumer of music. You have access to the old, now, and promised future.
You have the means, now put it to the use it was made for.
