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Thread: Taking one's system for granted

  1. #1
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Coventry, England UK

    Posts: 534
    I'm Simon.

    Default Taking one's system for granted

    Not sure if I'm using the right terminology here but anyone else here sometimes take their system for granted (not intended of course)? I suppose it's a slightly different way of talking about ''upgraditis'', etc.

    As an example, I recently upgraded my speakers and for the first time purchased a brand new pair. Soon as I connected them up it just sounded so good, everything sounded bigger, more open and all the nuances coming out. My system had the same ''sound'' but just on a larger scale, suppose because I upgraded the size of the speaker and from the same range so I kept the signature sound. I did the usual thing of playing loads of albums I've lived with for years and listening to how improved they sounded with details jumping out, more life to the dynamic shifts, etc.

    Fast forward 2-3 months and because I've become so accustomed to how my system sounds, I feel like I'm not hearing that improvement anymore, it's like I'm just taking it for granted at how good it sounds, wishing I could hear yet more improvement. It's hard to describe the feeling and trying to get across what I mean but maybe some can relate.

    What made me start this post is earlier this afternoon I was playing some albums and for what ever reason it felt like I could hear my system unbiased for the first time in months. It's kind of like it sounded better than ever before and I felt I was hearing it how it really is, rather than thinking to myself what/where improvement could be made.

    I can't remember what thread it was posted in but I remember recently reading a post from Macca (I think) about trying to listen to one's system with the mindset of it being someone else's and trying to remove any bias. I find this really hard to do myself, but maybe I had a similar result today, even if not approaching it in the same way.
    Last edited by Simon_LDT; 29-04-2017 at 15:55.

  2. #2
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    Very much so.. you get used to what you hear and start to think there is something not right. Think its just the brain saying heard that, now give me more!
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

  3. #3
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Coventry, England UK

    Posts: 534
    I'm Simon.

    Default

    Definitely. It doesn't help matters with all other things that can also mess with the perceived sound (outside noise, room acoustics, placement of speakers/seating position, stress, blocked ears and so on).

    A big problem I have is when my ears have already been subjected to elevated noise levels prior to listening, either from being outside, at work or even when having hoovered or used my RCM. I usually try to listen a few hours after doing anything like that if possible.

  4. #4
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    I use ear plugs when cleaning records.. its damn noisy. Hoovering? Not familiar with that
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

  5. #5
    Join Date: Nov 2011

    Location: Wakefield west yorkshire

    Posts: 1,930
    I'm James.

    Default

    Upgraditis can be a rite pain, sometimes I envey those who just enjoy their micro system
    novafidelity x40 music server/pre/dac, Arcam A39, roksan k3 power amp,Monitor Audio Monitor 50, Dali spektor 1, van damme interconnects and speaker cable, roskan k3 CD player

  6. #6
    Join Date: Aug 2011

    Location: Coventry, England UK

    Posts: 534
    I'm Simon.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by struth View Post
    I use ear plugs when cleaning records.. its damn noisy. Hoovering? Not familiar with that
    Haha, lucky you.

    I've tried earplugs when cleaning records and although it works, sometimes it can make my ears feel more clogged (pushing any wax further into the ear canal). I'm currently wearing some 3M industrial ear defenders when cleaning records and that is working for me even if it's a bit overkill and I look like a right idiot!

  7. #7
    Join Date: Apr 2011

    Location: cheltenham

    Posts: 746
    I'm matt.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Pieoftheday View Post
    Upgraditis can be a rite pain, sometimes I envey those who just enjoy their micro system
    It was only yesterday my girlfriend was happily singing away In the car, listening to Ed Sheeran on the crappy built-In-speaker of her mobile phone.

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2016

    Location: Gravesend and France

    Posts: 1,498
    I'm paul.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Simon_LDT View Post
    Not sure if I'm using the right terminology here but anyone else here sometimes take their system for granted (not intended of course)? I suppose it's a slightly different way of talking about ''upgraditis'', etc.

    As an example, I recently upgraded my speakers and for the first time purchased a brand new pair. Soon as I connected them up it just sounded so good, everything sounded bigger, more open and all the nuances coming out. My system had the same ''sound'' but just on a larger scale, suppose because I upgraded the size of the speaker and from the same range so I kept the signature sound. I did the usual thing of playing loads of albums I've lived with for years and listening to how improved they sounded with details jumping out, more life to the dynamic shifts, etc.

    Fast forward 2-3 months and because I've become so accustomed to how my system sounds, I feel like I'm not hearing that improvement anymore, it's like I'm just taking it for granted at how good it sounds, wishing I could hear yet more improvement. It's hard to describe the feeling and trying to get across what I mean but maybe some can relate.

    What made me start this post is earlier this afternoon I was playing some albums and for what ever reason it felt like I could hear my system unbiased for the first time in months. It's kind of like it sounded better than ever before and I felt I was hearing it how it really is, rather than thinking to myself what/where improvement could be made.

    I can't remember what thread it was posted in but I remember recently reading a post from Macca (I think) about trying to listen to one's system with the mindset of it being someone else's and trying to remove any bias. I find this really hard to do myself, but maybe I had a similar result today, even if not approaching it in the same way.
    must be time for another upgrade then.
    Bakoon 13r Denon DP80 Stax UA-70 Shure Ultra 500 in a Martin Bastin body with jico stylus, project ds2 digital Rullit aero 8 field coils in tqwt speakers

    Office system, DIY CSS fullrange speakers with aurum cantus G2 ribbons yulong dac Sony STR6055 receiver Jvc QL-A51 direct drive turntable, Leema sub. JVC Z4S cart is in the house

    Garage system another Sony receiver, cassette deck


    System components are subject to change without warning and at the discretion of the owner.

  9. #9
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Gloucestershire

    Posts: 977
    I'm Ian.

    Default

    If you have an itchy shirt, after a while you stop noticing it. It's called habituation and I think it applies just as much to your hifi enjoyment. One solution I find useful is to have an alternative piece of equipment and swap them around now and then. My go to kit is a pair of Jordan VTL speakers which seem to do the trick of revitalising my interest.

  10. #10
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

    Posts: 99,005
    I'm Grant.

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ianlenco View Post
    If you have an itchy shirt, after a while you stop noticing it. It's called habituation and I think it applies just as much to your hifi enjoyment. One solution I find useful is to have an alternative piece of equipment and swap them around now and then. My go to kit is a pair of Jordan VTL speakers which seem to do the trick of revitalising my interest.
    yup, a good way. Ive a mind to put my smaller single Telefunkens in again for a change. Need to feel stronger tho as they are all heavy sods. Often change amps too;
    Regards,
    Grant .... ؠ ......Don't be such a big girl's blouse

    I've said it before and I'll say it again: democracy simply-doesn't-work
    .... ..... ...... ...... ................... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....
    FIIO K7 BT, M11 PLUS, BTR7, KA5 - OPPO BDP-103D - PANASONIC UB450 - PANASONIC 4K ULTRA HD TV - PIXEL 6 - AVANTREE LR BLUETOOTH - 2* X600 SOUNDCORE - HEADPHONES INCLUDE, FIIO, NURAPHONES', FOCAL, OPPO, BOSE, CAMBRIDGE, BOWER & WILKINS, DEVIALET, MARSHALL, SONY, MITCHELL & JOHNSTON - 2*ZBOOK'S- MERCURY BD ROM, ROON, QOBUZ, TIDAL, PLEX, CYBERLINK, JRIVER - MULTI HDD'S -

    Oh my god! There's nothing wrong with the bidet is there?

    “Nothing discloses real character like the use of power. It is easy for the weak to be gentle. Most people can bear adversity. But if you wish to know what a man really is, give him power. This is the supreme test. It is the glory of Lincoln that, having almost absolute power, he never abused it, except on the side of mercy".

    “You see these dictators on their pedestals, surrounded by the bayonets of their soldiers and the truncheons of their police ... yet in their hearts there is unspoken fear. They are afraid of words and thoughts: words spoken abroad, thoughts stirring at home -- all the more powerful because forbidden -- terrify them. A little mouse of thought appears in the room, and even the mightiest potentates are thrown into panic.”

    "You don't have free will. You have the appearance of free will.”

    “There's a war out there, old friend. A world war. And it's not about who's got the most bullets. It's about who controls the information. What we see and hear, how we work, what we think... it's all about the information!”


    ***SMILE, BE HAPPY***

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