Have you "lied" to yourself?


It is time for the utmost honesty. How many of you have made a fairly costly upgrade/purchase and weren't able to hear any difference (even if you struggled, it wasn't very obvious), but convinced yourself the difference was there (to avoid feeling embarrassed/taken, or facing that you don't have "golden ears")?

There's no need to mention the brand/manufacturer, but do mention the type of component as it would be interesting to see whether this type of thing happens more often with preamps, amps, cables, or sources (I doubt it ever happens with speakers).

I'll start. I'm guilty of spending about $600 upgrading speaker my cables and couldn't hear much of a difference.
128x128felthove
There's no need to feel guilty about it. You spent the money and it didn't work out the way you hoped.

I have spent money on amps and speakers that didn't work out. Items have been or will be sold.

What I did learn was it helps to buy used. Your financial hit is much less if you need to sell the item. Also, in-home trials can prevent the purchase in the first place.

So, do the proper break-in with your cable. If it doesn't make you happy then sell it and move on.
Yes, I have tried many things that did not work, but they were all either on home demo or a 30 day trial. The few things that I have purchased outright without audition fortunately did work out (and I am not fooling myself about this). Eventually, I will foul up though, perhaps on the purchase that I just made of a product with very little feedback available on it.
Lie to myself? I have the best wife and kids in the world. Even if they're in jail!

Now the audio. Nope, never bought a piece of equipment that wasn't better than the last.

I make perfect decisions. It's my ears that are the problem.

Bill E.
All the time! I buy used for that very reason. Hopefully I can resell it for close to what I paid if I find it not useful in my system. Anyone want some power cords, interconnects, speaker wire, cones, shelving or power conditioners? I have a few to share!
No, but I have lied to my wife how much my gears costs. Gosh I hope she's not reading this.