How to stop upgrading...

[User211]

Well?

Not sure how much time I can devote posting to this thread, but I have some ideas so I will come back.

[Barry]

Simple - just be content with your system as it is. ;)

[Pigmy Pony]

Putting laxative in your boss's coffee then owning up to it will probably put any upgrade plans on hold.

[walpurgis]

I have downgraded/downsized. Mainly due to space constraints and adopting realistic spending habits. (this may change in the future though :))

[Macca]

I'm just side-grading these days. To upgrade I need better room or better speakers. Neither going to happen anytime soon.

[Barry]

"Side-grading", that's a new one on me. A change of gear without any change in sound quality. What is the reason, apart from cosmetic?

[Macca]

"Side-grading", that's a new one on me. A change of gear without any change in sound quality. What is the reason, apart from cosmetic?

Cosmetic mainly. Plus I just like buying equipment.

[Lawrence001]

An upgrade can be cosmetic.

To be a sidegrade when something looks much better it would have to sound worse. Otherwise you've definitely upgraded !

[Barry]

An upgrade can be cosmetic.

To be a sidegrade when something looks much better it would have to sound worse. Otherwise you've definitely upgraded !

So changing an item having, say, a silver finish to an identical item but finished in black, is an upgrade?

I have heard of an audio reviewer who found an item of audio equipment sounded better when used upside down! Initially ridiculed, it was later discovered why it was true: the base was made of steel, whereas the rest of the case was made from aluminium. Steel offered better hum and RF rejection. An upgrade at no cost at all, save for 'odd' looking cosmetics.

[Pigmy Pony]

"Side-grading", that's a new one on me. A change of gear without any change in sound quality. What is the reason, apart from cosmetic?

No, I think 'side grading' can bring about improvements in SQ, by trying out components that better match with your existing kit and room, and aren't necessarily more expensive.

[Barry]

I would regard that as an upgrade, there being an improvement in SQ.

The fact that the new item is no more expensive than the item replaced, or even cheaper, is an unexpected bonus. :)

[walpurgis]

So changing an item having, say, a silver finish to an identical item but finished in black, is an upgrade?

I've just done that. It was definitely an upgrade as far as I'm concerned :).

[walpurgis]

I just like buying equipment.

So do I, but I am at a temporary halt on that front now. We'll see about changes/upgrades later this year after I (hopefully) move home.

[struth]

ive not only stopped upgrading, but stopped downgrading too...:)

[Barry]

I've just done that. It was definitely an upgrade as far as I'm concerned :).

I'm not sure I would describe a change in aesthetics as an upgrade, but if it makes you feel better I can understand that.

Most of the gear near my TT and on view is black or Quad 'grey', save the MC transformer which is silver coloured. It annoys me, but apart from hiding it from view there is nothing I can do about it, as it is not available in any other finish.

[AJSki2fly]

Well?

Not sure how much time I can devote posting to this thread, but I have some ideas so I will come back.

I think we need a definition of what Upgrading is?

E.G.:-


More expensive gear.

Kit that improves on SQ.

Equipment that looks aesthetically better.

HiFi that is more appealing to the better half.

HiFi that is consider recommended by audio mag.

[Pigmy Pony]

I'm not sure I would describe a change in aesthetics as an upgrade, but if it makes you feel better I can understand that.

Most of the gear near my TT and on view is black or Quad 'grey', save the MC transformer which is silver coloured. It annoys me, but apart from hiding it from view there is nothing I can do about it, as it is not available in any other finish.

Here you go, 'upgrade' your MC transformer for a piddling £3.44. You're welcome :)

https://www.sprayster.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/x1-Paint-Factory-Multi-Purpose-Spray-Paint-400ml-Gloss-Metallic-Gun-Metal-Grey-511x511.jpg

[Pigmy Pony]

I would regard that as an upgrade, there being an improvement in SQ.

The fact that the new item is no more expensive than the item replaced, or even cheaper, is an unexpected bonus. :)

You're right of course Barry, and I realised that while I was typing, but I didn't want to cancel my post after all that effort :)

[Jimbo]

Just buy yourself the right system in the first place.:)

[Pigmy Pony]

Just buy yourself the right system in the first place.:)

If only someone had told me that 50 years ago, wouldn't have made any difference, lack of funds and all that...

[Barry]

Just buy yourself the right system in the first place.:)

Did you? ;)

[Jimbo]

Did you? ;)

This time round I did.:)

[Barry]

Well done! :)

[Jimbo]

Well done! :)

:cool:

[CageyH]

Stop reading forums and magazines.

Ignorance is bliss.

[The Black Adder]

Simple - just be content with your system as it is. ;)+1

There comes a point where you just have to stop and enjoy and appreciate what you've got. Start being wax lyrical about your system, forums like this are a great place to give your system exposure.

Sent from my BBC Microcomputer 32K

[Pigmy Pony]

This time round I did.:)

Yeah we'll see how long that lasts ;)

[Puffin]

I don't think I have ever looked at getting a different component or speakers as getting an upgrade but done more to try a different sound to see if it pleases me.

[Lawrence001]

I don't think I have ever looked at getting a different component or speakers as getting an upgrade but done more to try a different sound to see if it pleases me.Isn't something that sounds better to you an upgrade? Or is an upgrade only something that someone else (like a reviewer) tells you should sound better? Or something that costs more?

[Pigmy Pony]

Isn't something that sounds better to you an upgrade? Or is an upgrade only something that someone else (like a reviewer) tells you should sound better? Or something that costs more?

My thoughts too. Doesn't have to be more expensive to be an 'upgrade' imo.

[Pigmy Pony]

I think it's likely that our perception of an 'upgrade' could be affected by prior knowledge of that component's value, but if it were possible to blind test our systems with a variety of things at different price points, we could end up very surprised at the results :) Could an amplifier costing half as much as the amp it's replacing sound better in your system? I think so, it happened to me. I would call that an upgrade.

[Puffin]

Isn't something that sounds better to you an upgrade? Or is an upgrade only something that someone else (like a reviewer) tells you should sound better? Or something that costs more?

The last commercial amplifier I bought was an Audiolab 8000A in 1994/5. It wasn't bad but not much better or different from the Rotel 930 I had been using. I suppose I bought it as it had good reviews and should have been considered an upgrade. I used it until I started seriously DIYing when all sorts of configurations of amplifier were put together and simply kept me enthused to enjoy my music and have a bit of a laugh trying them all. None of them crossed my mind as being an upgrade, but they could have been or still are an upgrade. I have the pick of Class A/B Mosfet, Class A Pass amps, several iterations of ClassD to satisfy my fiddling.

[Macca]

going to shows that have the mega-money stuff I've noticed it's really just the speakers and rooms that make the difference.

If they're not great then the sound is always unimpressive regardless that they are hanging off the back of hundred grands worth of amps, DACs, cabling, power regenerators, and so on.

[Pigmy Pony]

going to shows that have the mega-money stuff I've noticed it's really just the speakers and rooms that make the difference.

If they're not great then the sound is always unimpressive regardless that they are hanging off the back of hundred grands worth of amps, DACs, cabling, power regenerators, and so on.

Yeah we found that with the Dan D'Agostino kit in the Doug Brady 'area'. Building a well thought out dedicated listening room and using more modest kit would sound better for a lot less money.