For the past 30 years or so I've considered myself a die-hard audiophile. I've gone through similar phases and opinions like most of you probably have. I've bought and sold many dozens (if not hundreds) of high end components and cables. Audio research, Linn, audionote, ensemble, synergistic, Zu Audio, PS Audio, Yamamoto, modwright, REL, Klipsch, hafler, CJ, coincident, classe, anthem, oppo, MIT, and many other brands I don't even remember. I've auditioned hundreds more... I'm also an electronic technician so I had my share of experience with DIY. I've gone from tubes and vinyl to digital and SS, and back around. I've owned mini monitors and huge 6' Giants and everything in between. I've heard the most minute differences in sound quality between cables and footers. I've spent way too many dollars on fuses, tweaks and furniture. I read reviews, and swore by specific brands. I've put together systems which I was sure we're the best ever and defended my choices with a passion.
No more.
I'm sitting here right now in my (ex) music room, listening to a system that costs less than $350 total, and enjoying the music as I rarely did with my recent $30K one. Does it sound as good and realistic as the $30K one? No it doesn't. But it sounds damn good. It's musical, engaging, full bodied with a well established sound stage, good detail and tonality, well paced, and I'm having a blast!!! I just don't care no more for the minute differences in sound quality. There is no end to it.
I let go, and oh man it feels good to enjoy music without constantly analyzing and subconsciously looking for imperfection or thinking how much better it will sound with tweak X or cable Y or upgrade Z... This tiny $350 system delivers 80% of the sound quality of the $30K one, and honestly probably better than many $5K ones out there. I mean it... It doesn't make any sense no more!
I have no regrets ... I've had a lot of fun and I met amazing people that I wouldn't have had I not been an audiophile. I've experienced great uplifting monents and great disappointments. I've laughed and cried, was blown away and frustrated... It was a great ride.
I am leaving this hobby behind and not looking back... Damn it feels good. I'll keep enjoying great music and HiFi sound, and will appreciate high quality equipment, but I won't be obsessed with it no more. I still have a very nice system in my living room which is probably worth around $2K and will be more than I'll ever need going forward. This amazing little $350 system is going to my office where I spend most of my week days and I'm excited about it...
I have woken up from the audiophile dream, and what has been seen can't be unseen.
Goodbye and thanks for the fish :-)
PS: Since I know you are very curious, the $350 system consists of a Raspberry Pi as a streamer ($25) with an upgraded DAC ($60), an upgraded power supply ($50), a 20 watt Chinese digital power amplifier ($70), mini monitor speakers I bought as a kit ($100), DIY stands from leftover lumber ($20), and around $20 in cables... I intentionally omit brand names, this post is not about recommending any specific item. It's about what amazing value you can get for ridiculously cheap these days in general.
I promise each and every one of you that if you were sitting in my seat right now, and I would have told you that you are listening to a $5K system, you would not have doubted it for a second. You are probably thinking that I'm crazy, but I am not. I've already tried this trick on a few very experienced audiophile friends this past week. :-)
I'm happy for you but I doubt if you'll feel like you do in the long term, unless you can really let go of that last 20% you say is missing. I'm speaking from my personal experience, having arrived at my present system which I wouldn't let go for the world.
It's been a long haul but at a fraction of what you've gone through but I'm at a loss being able to describe what I'm hearing now and the level of satisfaction it imparts.
If you can continue in your present situation, good for you I say, and enjoy what you have. I'm too wrapped up in my own personal epiphany to downsize. 😄 Right now I'm just enjoying the music. 👍
I’m not sure why you have to leave the hobby just because you’re leaving the high cost. I don’t think there is a dollar value that makes one an audiophile.
From one who is tight with money, at least as far as this hobby is concerned, I think it would be great fun to assemble a system that is gratifying and costs less than ’n’ amount of dollars where ’n’ is the goal that you set for yourself.
If you already have that with your $350 dollar system and no longer feel the need to be on the equipment treadmill then spend the rest of your time and money finding good music............which should be at least half of what it means to be an audiophile I would think.
Audiogon has a fairly active ’Music’ forum.
But in the end I agree with you. I’m happy with the core of my system and don’t see any value in trying to find a reason not to be.
Sorry, friend, but as I see it you are the very definition of "audiophile"! You have spent many hours researching and assembling your computer, you likely spent considerable time researching your speakers, then you had to put them together. You even built your stands!
I, on the other hand, bought my stuff new and only had to hook it up. I cannot afford the time to DIY my stereo. So I spend part of whatever leisure time I have listening to music rather than fiddling with my stereo. So as much as I want to be considered an audiophile, I guess at best I should just consider myself a music listener, and leave the vaulted title of "audiophile" to dedicated enthusiasts such as yourself!
PS: I'm sure your system sounds great. Back when I was in Jr. High School I built my first Heathkit, and took some old 12" speakers out of an abandoned stereo cabinet and built some plywood enclosures. Source was an old Wollensak reel-to-reel, with music captured from the aux outputs of friend's parents' stereos. Total cost well under $100, and the thing sounded great!
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