Finally There...

Well, thread title says it all really !

After p*ssing around with different separates & speakers for 8 years or so with new items turning up every week before I could move on last weeks *wonder item* gear was piling up - It was becoming unhealthy... I'm just glad I realized before it was too late & became a recluse hiding away from the world coveting all my lovely shiny hifi things :doh:

I had what I think they call a "road to Damascus moment" the other week when I wondered into the local cathedral and heard the choral practice, it was just beautiful... Far ahead of what any hifi (I've heard) can reproduce which made it all seem a bit pointless. I have previously only been to amplified gigs which usually sound worse than the average hifi but these naked human voices mixed with the wonderful acoustics were something else.

I've sold nearly everything and bought a Denon DM-38DAB & Castle Richmond 3i - Now quite content listening to a system that sounds "nice" knowing it can never be perfect so stop worrying about it & enjoy the music.

That may seem rather obvious in hindsight but I was so obsessed with the gear I had forgotten the goal... To enjoy the music ! So may this serve as a reminder to any that read it : IT'S ONLY A BLOODY HIFI :lol: Its good to have a hobby but don't let it become an obsession.

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I thought I would have loads of spare cash after selling the gear but it turns out theres several hundered classical CD's I have to own... Oh well :D

Good on yer. Enjoy your few hundred cds' you are going to buy.

Good on ya James. Had a similar moment myself when I replaced my classic Hafler with a 60 quid mini-T amp. All is very, very good now... :D

I have never lusted after megabuckhifi. I have always tried to get the best from stuff that would be considered shit in audiophile terms.

It is ok 95% of the time and makes me laugh when I can pump it so hard that the walls are flexing (no joke!) The other 5%, well....who cares.

I love listening to music:D:D:D

Good for you James. :)

Heavyweight live classical, organ works and choral pieces are imo a great reminder of just how woefully inadequate stereo reproduction is.

Not sure I would go quite that far James, but I certainly admire the sentiment - hope you enjoy your new found freedom!

Well, I like value for money, but I do love messing about with my Hi-Fi and it sounds great, so I don't see me going back to basics.

Thanks for the comments.

I'll still restore vintage pieces that take my fancy & repair the odd amp for beer money but my own system had become an addiction & IME with any addiction you cant "cut down" you either carry on to your doom or quit.... I chose to quit.

Sounds extreme but it was occupying my mind far too much, costing far too much money & subsequently ruining my relationship with those around me... addictive personality & all that :mental:

Cheers :cool:

Mate I totally understand having been back and forth through a series of separates and one box systems. Indeed i still own one of these in my dining room with a pair of mission speakers which doesnt really get a chance to shine but if it was the only system I owned then it would still be none too shabby.

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Indeed some of more modern ones from Marantz and others really do have all the bases covered as they manage streaming/internet radio/pc/DAB/FM/CD you name it...

Going for my all Rega main system was a turning point in the last 12 months which has seen various boxes come and go... i love it and found that system synergy counts for a lot. I wont be spending any more money on the main system other than perhaps acquiring a new laptop when this old Dell finally gives up the ghost but it wont be just a hifi purchase. The all Rega set up is just downright good fun and always serves up musical surprises without the need for tweakery.

The spare room system is where i do my mucking around and love nowt more than pickin up cheap/vintage bits and bobs which can still show their modern counterparts a clean pair of heels. Indeed I'm currently rocking a £35 usb dac, a £60 mini-t and £10 pair of Ditton 15's in there at the moment and it sounds fabulous.

As long as you're enjoying the music is all that matters, damn the cost.

Good on you James, i'm at the point where i cannot be doing with Hi-Fi technicalities anymore..

As from today the record player is pacjked away, Sparce Digital source now for good.