Not impressed

Part of how I earn my keep is in branding and user marketing. Part of how audio is marketed is to incentivize the aficionado segment to "Chase the New." For example, the auto industry wants "Car Guys" to change their rides about every 4 years.

Audio is not much different. The Mid-Fi and High-End shops, whether online or brick-and-mortar, thrive via repeat business.

At the end of the day, the astute consumer needs to decide at what point a hobby is about acquisitiveness vs usage. It's not uncommon for an avid guitar collector to have 10+ guitars, even though you can only play one at a time (with a second in the wings when your D-String breaks :-) ). Many people find happiness owning things they never use. Go to www.timezone.com if you want to witness acquisitiveness taken to extreme levels. Personally, it's not my cup of tea, but if you can afford to play and it brings you happiness, who am I to judge?

Likewise, many enjoy "the hunt" more than the capture. If you are in this camp, then you might need to decide at some point whether you have reached a degree of critical mass. That, or you transition into to realm of "Hoarder."

I also like the suggestions from Elizabeth and Dopogue, and am eager to see if getting a horse and then putting it on a boat catches on.

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Someone here many years ago made a quote about this hobby that was so profound.

He said: "We're all as crazy as we can afford to be."

So, If you've reached your spending threshold, do your homework and get the best equipment within your budget and be done with it. Audiogon is an excellent resource for buying pre-owned stuff. It's almost tantamount to a free trial if you buy intelligently.
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While the pursuit of audio (musical) satisfaction certainly has its ups and downs, putting together the right system for yourself can be done, and without spending insane amounts of hard-earned cash.

A system consisting of some vintage, and some newer gear, can be inordinately musical and satisfying. If you throw in the towel, you'll never experience the blessing of enjoying music as you would like to have it, in your home on a daily basis.

Many of us have found high-sensitivity speakers/low power SET amps to be just what we were looking for all along. You don't state what you have at this time that is distressing you, but try listening to such a system, and see if you might find what you've been missing.

Another thing worth mentioning, is on this forum, there is a wealth of knowledge possesed among its members, along with the usual dose of crackpots you'll find on any forum.

Point being, members have helped immensely in finding the right set up for me. Avail yourself to this treasure trove, many knowledgeable members enjoy helping those of us that just don't know as much as they would like.

Good luck, sounds like you could use some about now.
Dan

Sell it all, and put the ipod on the horse and use the money for gas for the boat and travel a lot.

Hmmmm? And I have a boat with no music on it. Maybe I should get a horse too!

In response to Mihorn, I do not think there is a battle between high end audio and "puny earphones". Those who predominantly or exclusively use iPods or similar players with earbuds probably have no interest in high end audio for no other reason than either they have no familiarity with it or associate listening to music with mobility,

Hi Valinar, as you mentioned above, if those Ipod users (young people) will never be interested in hi-end audio in their life, hi-end audio will not exist soon in the future. Without a new comer, audio business will not survive. It is a small matter to you as a consumer. However, it matters much to me, my competitors, and all hi-end audio professionals.

We, hi-end audiophiles, started this audio hobby some point in our life after exposed to hi-end audio. Simply, we were impressed. If hi-end audio can’t impress any Ipod users, the future of audio industry is bad. We are not doing a good job now. We will loose our job soon. It doesn’t matter to old timers, many here, soon to be retired, but those who will be here 10 years later should be wiser.

It will be my life time goal to purchase $100k sound system and I’ll get that sound system some point in my life if it’s worth it. Many people will do the same if it’s worth it. The audio business will be great. However, we all know we will loose money if we buy it. If it’s worth it, we shouldn’t loose money.

I am doing a favor to the audio industry. I am attracting more new buyers. More people will be impressed with an affordable product that competes 50 times more of its price. More Ipod users will be impressed and become hi-end audiophiles. The consumer loves that kind of revolutionary product. Audio retailers should be happy with such products because more new comers will buy audio related gears. Then who are haters of my speakers here? Hmmm.

To OP. Don’t give up! Truth and solution are out there.

Alex
Wavetouch Audio