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Total cost of ownership - how to reduce it

Audiogon members love their music - but I am not alone, I think, in finding that the requirements in terms of cost and time for keeping the system running at optimal, can become too steep. Can we help each other out?

Today I have spent two hours trying to find a failed tube in my system. Two months ago I had a bad episode with a repair service that did not repair and did not return my stuff. Some weeks ago, I blew a speaker driver, I am still waiting for the replacement. Thinking, I need a tube tester, since my system has a lot of tubes - I got the tester, but it blew tubes, not "dead on arrival" but "over-excited" - and has to be repaired. I am perhaps especially unlucky. But I ask myself, how much is enough? When such experiences accumulate, I can understand people plugging into Mp3, it is simple and it works.

I have thought about my situation and diagnosed two main types of problems - maybe, relevant for other Audiogon members also.

The first is where you buy a thing used and then get it upgraded by the manufacturer. You pay quite a lot for this, and you would expect the whole thing is checked - but it is not. In two cases now, I have experienced that even if the upgrade works fine, the box as a whole is not checked, and develops problems a year or two after the upgrade.

The second case is where you pay for an upgrade that is more like a new build (e g of a speaker) or rebuild (of a cartridge). Now, there is no lagging wear and tear problem, but it turns out that the upgrade parameters were not fully developed, things have to be changed or checked afterwards (speaker drivers dont work optimal, needle not quite in place, etc).

I would be the first to recognize that some of these costs (time, mainly, but money also) should be accepted. I have paid local repair costs without complaining, and have used many hours of my own time. As an advanced user, I accept some extra costs.

It is just that, sometimes it gets too much.

I would like other Audiogon users' thoughts on this dilemma, and especially, what can we do to reduce the total ownership costs.

Your thoughts and experiences welcome.
o_holter

Showing 4 responses by mechans

mechans
2,999 posts
 
You're right about the BMW warranty.
The other problem can be diminished to a degree by using headphones although if you insist on using a super expensive source you may not save a ton. If you do what most of the current hedphiers seem to do which is use a computer source and then use a combo integrated DAC Amp you will be ok. My headphone amps have 3 and 1 tube each. I will say this these guys buy the most expensive and exotic tubes they can though. Like buying B65s (MOV/GEC 6SN7) for up to a grand a pop. My headphone output tubes are 6080/6AS7G but will take Tung Sol 5998s and WE421As if I want to use them.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
It is said that buying a low cost carpet for instance, that it will be the most expensive in the end. The reason is of course that you'll need to replace the cheaply made one.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
So much for saving a ton using a headphone set up.  My better tube headphone amp had a channel go and the manufacturer has been out of business for a long time.  So what do I do?  I buy another all tube unit, this time 2 6SN7s driving the 6AS7G , 6080, 5998 etc,(X2) power tubes.  Sounds good and manufacturer direct, did not cost a fortune (Felik's Audio), sadly I liked the other better, but the guy is hated for stealing so much money.  At least I had all of the tubes I might have been tempted to roll.I must say, in all honesty, that I want my regular big rig back, but I have no space to put it in.  Yes you should all feel for me.  I will put together another rig but smaller by necessity.
mechans
2,999 posts
 
Most gear is reliable, the cost is mainly the capital investment.  Once you own it, you should just be paying the utility bills.  If you really want almost completely fuss free equipment, by reasonably powerful SS stuff and play it at lowish levels. The overbuilt amps and such also have better resale in the end as opposed to small played out gear.  You get the idea. 
I don't do that myself, I love tubes.  So much so that I roll them a lot and have had to replace only 2 in the last 15 years.  Emphasis on the "had to" part, like I said I roll different tubes into my stuff frequently but it's a luxury.
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