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Thread: Should You be Seeking Better Sound or Better Enjoyment?

  1. #1
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

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    I'm Geoff.

    Default Should You be Seeking Better Sound or Better Enjoyment?

    A thought crossed my mind. What was the most satisfaction I'd had from my Hi-Fi?

    I think back to my first 'proper' Hi-Fi system, bought around 1972 and I was over the moon with it at the time.

    It was a record playing system only, all bought new and comprised of a Thorens TD150 turntable with a Decca International arm and cartridges were a choice of Decca London Blue or ADC 10E Mk.IV. Amplifier was a Rotel RA-611 (settled on after a couple of disappointing Ferrograph F307's) and this drove a pair of Tannoy IIILZ speakers.

    I kept this setup for quite a few years and drew great pleasure from it and don't think anything that has followed has improved on the level of enjoyment it gave me.

    Is the constant search for improvement in sound really a sign of dissatisfaction? We all know that nothing is perfect, so are we chasing up a blind alley by seeking better sound?
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  2. #2
    Join Date: May 2016

    Location: Milton Keynes

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    I'm Andrew.

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    Not sure if this is a bit out there but my first memory of hifi really getting my attention for the first time was in a room full of smoke many many years ago (79) !! So perhaps it wasn't the music or system but I remember thinking WOW !!!


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  3. #3
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

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    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by andyrlb View Post
    Not sure if this is a bit out there but my first memory of hifi really getting my attention for the first time was in a room full of smoke many many years ago (79) !! So perhaps it wasn't the music or system but I remember thinking WOW !!!
    I had a similar experience maybe 1970. A friend bought A Garrard AP76 with a Shure cartridge, a Sansui AU-101 and a pair of whopping Goodmans Magister speakers.

    I thought it sounded incredible. I'd never heard any Hi-Fi at all until that time and what really got me, was realising that clear treble and deep bass actually existed. I was hooked from that day on!!
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  4. #4
    Join Date: May 2015

    Location: St Leonard's on Sea

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    I'm Loz.

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    Maybe the dissatisfaction comes from having too much 'Stuff' Geoff!

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  5. #5
    Join Date: Feb 2013

    Location: W Lothian

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    I'm Grant.

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    indeed, I think its true. More you have the more choice and your more inclined to be dissatisfied. always enjoyed records more when i had less of them. cds too, so sure it can be extended to equipment
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  6. #6
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

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    I'm Geoff.

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    Quote Originally Posted by HackneyRF View Post
    Maybe the dissatisfaction comes from having too much 'Stuff' Geoff!
    I guess that can be true.

    In my case I have a lot of 'stuff' (Hi-Fi), but tend to have one system that is settled and has been to an extent for years. And I'm happy and satisfied with it. The point I'm making, is that what I have now, which sounds damn good, brings no more pleasure than my first system did .
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  7. #7
    Join Date: May 2015

    Location: St Leonard's on Sea

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    I'm Loz.

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    Quote Originally Posted by walpurgis View Post
    I guess that can be true.

    In my case I have a lot of 'stuff' (Hi-Fi), but tend to have one system that is settled and has been to an extent for years. And I'm happy and satisfied with it. The point I'm making, is that what I have now, which sounds damn good, brings no more pleasure than my first system did .
    Ah, I see your point Geoff. My comment was really just a generalisation about our/societies desire, no doubt largely driven by market forces, to acquire the next best thing which can often lead to a sense of dissatisfaction and an accumulation of 'stuff'. But George Carlin says it much better than I possibly could. Maybe you are on to something if your are as happy with your system now as you were back then.

    Cheers

    Loz

  8. #8
    Join Date: Apr 2012

    Location: N E Kent

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    I'm Geoff.

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    I'm considering a 'back to basics' setup actually. I don't play records as much as I used to and may scale back the vinyl playing side of things to something basic, but good sounding. More compact and simpler amplification could be on the cards too. I'm planning to base the system around CD for now, as I have nearly all the music I want in that format and much is needlessly duplicated on vinyl. Single driver, full range speakers appeal as well. I may eventually get involved with streaming, but feel no real need.
    It is impossible for anything digital to sound analogue, because it isn't analogue!

  9. #9
    Join Date: Aug 2015

    Location: Leeds

    Posts: 125
    I'm Kevin.

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    I think it depends on why you have a hi-fi. If you use it to listen to music you'll be happy as long as it sounds good. If you are more interested in the hi-fi itself you may never be satisfied as there will always be something better coming along.

  10. #10
    Join Date: May 2008

    Location: Surrey

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    I'm Rob.

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    I the last few years as I have entered semi-retirement my hifi is used to play music on and not as a vehicle to distract me from the arse-ache that was the day job. I had to have something to concentrate on and use as a diversion for my brain/mind (Oh.... and lots of alcohol as well!) If I spent my leisure time searching for better sound then I was engrossed in something that I really wanted to do. It is only now that I have started to do the stuff that I amassed at the time and never got around to building. However, my system has never sounded so good.
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