Are You Content With Your System?

Very difficult to grapple with, but a good question. I guess we've all got the same disease to one extent or another or we wouldn't be cruising and perusing here on the 'Gon. Like Sarah above, I love my "big rig".

But, as an example of this goofiness, I've had a Sonic Frontiers Line 2 pre-amp as part of my system for nearly 4 years now, and keep telling myself that it's likely my "weak link" musically, so I keep trying to replace or upgrade it. I tried the SF Line 3-- didn't like it-- three different sets of tubes-- didn't like them either and keep going back to the stock Sovteks.

In the context of the "high end", the SF Line 2 is modestly priced at $3300., but when I'm totally honest about it, I'd have to say that this pre-amp is excellent in my system, and I can't actually describe why I want to replace it, or what music quality music quality I hope to improve.

And you clowns aren't helping;>) Cheers. Craig

After attending a live jazz / "world music" performance last night, i have to say that i'm VERY pleased ( and kinda shocked ) at how well one of my systems does. For the last few days, I had been listening to a reference level live recording of the same performer that i went to see. Low and behold, there wasn't any percievable difference between what i heard at home and what i heard at the concert hall ( in terms of transients, timbre of instruments, etc..). If anything, i would say that vocals are cleaner and clearer at home than they were via the PA system. Someone REALLY needs to go into business designing and building "hi-fi" ( or at least something that sounds "natural ) sound reinforcement cabinets.

Keep in mind that most of what i was hearing was direct off of the stage with a small amount of "reinforcement" fed through the PA. This is a very small venue and can hold appr 200 seated people comfortably and 300 people somewhat packed with a lot of them standing. Last night, it was completely packed with 400 people in attendance. Somehow, people still made room enough for a large part of the crowd to start dancing.

It was a good show and really helped confirm that i've been on the right track. I've still got work to do on this and my other systems, but it doesn't seem like as much of a chore now : ) Sean
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I think I will be after one more change! :)

Lev, Yes I do enjoy my system and in that respect there is satisfaction. As you say there is always room for improvement and what that is will vary from one to the next as cf notes ya gotta find your own thing, and in this hobby experience and experimentation will take you to different places, but I do not believe it will get you to virtual reality, if nothing else the vast majority of recordings just aren't good enough.

My thing is the real thing. When the system can accurately reproduce a live acoustical instrument, orchestra or voice. "Is is live, or is it..." None do, there is always the veil and various degrees of colorations. So what it seems to boil down to in the long run is finding new ways to spend money :), with the hope that the next step will be better than the last.

I'm at the early stage of the disease... 6 months so far. When did upgradeitis plateau for you guys??? I've been buying and tweaking like crazy lately!!! But it seems to be working out nicely, the system is sounding less bright and very musical compared to 4 months ago.