Confronting your own realities...

[Marco]

As everything has flaws my answer is I would be exceedingly comfortable with any advice, however whether you can act on that advice is another matter.

Same here. The only considerations I have for acting on any advice which I consider to be good and potentially of benefit to my system are:

1) Does it (whatever it may be) offer high SPPV?

2) Can I afford it?

3) Can I implement it fairly quickly and easily?

4) Is it safe?

Anything else is of secondary importance, including if necessary having to revisit and reassess something that I had previously considered as unsuitable. I'm not proud, blinkered, nor easily embarrassed, and therefore I don't have a problem admitting I'm wrong or have made mistakes.

Basically, I remain always open-minded with hi-fi and follow no forms of absolutism. This I feel is a healthy state of mind to have, rather than being the opposite.

Marco.

[SPS]

interesting points raised..
my view( as a DIYer) is the following.. we are all on a road somewhere with our kit, it may be one of being happy with what you've got and parking up.. or moving forwards with slight or sometimes major improvements via trial and error and or getting out and listening to what is about..
the practical guy will always look at things from a diffent perspective to the less practical types, he has the advantage he does not have to buy.. he can make as well..and the options are greater. when one knows the really good componets from the past that can be incorporated.

I for one have been both routes, as most diyer's have,
i have had the experence of buying a 3k valve amp, only to find, when i was brave enought to make my 1st valve amp, that 3k se amp sounded like the Tv in comparison to what i just made..

I then spent 5 or 6 yers thinking hi fi did not get any better than my large backloaded horns and px4 amp.. how wrong was I..
one needs to get out to listen and compare ...

I make a point (like others) to hear lots of kit,
i have heard £50k systems that just start to sound realistic..
but at this point, my diy efforts, as a sytem, continue to be (in my view) as good as i've heard.. not perfect though... i do keep looking, listening, tweeking and challenging myself...

i build new amps and play about because i can, i have lots of bits for doing that, and sometimes.. i get an improvement.. so my everyday systems then change to include that

I do hear some good components that i would like to buy.. or emulate via diy... but i will not buy now with out being sure..

i also get a pleasure out of hearing some really good sounds from some very reasonable, yet 'different' kit, scotmoose's speaker designs, coupled with some of nelson pass's low wattage amps are some very good sound's for the low costs involved.. you need to make it all of course.. or if are lucky enough to get your hands on pre built..

me, i spend alot of money on my hi fi systems and valves etc,
I also spend a fair time listening to my music, 10-15 hours a week i would say..
and the best bit for me.. is the marvel at the sound i'm getting on kit i have made.. and the wonder of what to make next, to further improve things, I usually have all the parts needed, its just the time and the drive to get on with it..
my measure of good kit is the amount of music sounds poor, less is best..
and every type of music should sound right.


steve

[shuggz]

Same here. The only considerations I have for acting on any advice which I consider to be good and potentially of benefit to my system are:

1) Does it (whatever it may be) offer high SPPV?

2) Can I afford it?

3) Can I implement it fairly quickly and easily?

4) Is it safe?

Anything else is of secondary importance, including if necessary having to revisit and reassess something that I had previously considered as unsuitable. I'm not proud, blinkered, nor easily embarrassed, and therefore I don't have a problem admitting I'm wrong or having made mistakes.

Basically, I remain always open-minded with hi-fi and follow no forms of absolutism. This I feel is a healthy state of mind to have, rather than being the opposite.

Marco.

I'd also add as a consideration WAF, she packs a mean punch

[Marco]

Indeed. I consider myself fortunate though not to have that problem. I've have a wife, but she's probably got more problem accepting me than the hi-fi!

Marco.

[Mr. C]

Interesting points relating to WAF, recently I had a client who remarked 'Your wife's very tolerate of your listening levels', 'Mine would have thrown a turbo wobbler by now'
At very modest volume levels?
Just how much of an issue is the woman in your hifi selection?
Is it at the same level if you have a separate room or area for your music?
If you have a shared room how much compromise do you make?
What is the biggest consideration, the amount of equipment, the looks of it, or just what she considers the 'faff factor'

[aquapiranha]

Interesting points relating to WAF, recently I had a client who remarked 'Your wife's very tolerate of your listening levels', 'Mine would have thrown a turbo wobbler by now'
At very modest volume levels?
Just how much of an issue is the woman in your hifi selection?
Is it at the same level if you have a separate room or area for your music?
If you have a shared room how much compromise do you make?
What is the biggest consideration, the amount of equipment, the looks of it, or just what she considers the 'faff factor'

That is an excellent point Mr. C. I know I am lucky as I live alone and can do what I like, but even so I think lots of people need to grow a pair and tell the mrs what is what. I bet they get all the say on a new kitchen or bathroom after all.

[Marco]

Great questions, Tony! I shall sit back and observe with interest

Whilst appeciating people's different circumstances and not making references to anyone in particular, I think there are far too many hen-pecked husbands and partners out there!

The question to answer here is who wears the pants in your household - her or you? Maybe you're more partial to her dress?

WAF is largely a British thing, I feel, as I know from experience that the mentality of people in that respect in other areas of Europe is generally somewhat different.

Marco.

[Marco]

That is an excellent point Mr. C. I know I am lucky as I live alone and can do what I like, but even so I think lots of people need to grow a pair and tell the mrs what is what. I bet they get all the say on a new kitchen or bathroom after all.

Too bloody right, Steve. It's a particular bugbear of mine.

It's quite simple: if you pay half the rent or the mortgage then you're entitled to make half the decisions in the house - end of!!

We (as in 'one' - not me) pander too much to the wants of our women folk here in the UK - the majority of men are weak-willed in that respect; anything for a quiet life and all that - bollocks! Of course one must be considerate, but exactly how far do you take it before you end up being nothing more than a glorified puppet?

Come on, all joking aside, let's think about this one seriously, guys!

Marco.

[shuggz]

That is an excellent point Mr. C. I know I am lucky as I live alone and can do what I like, but even so I think lots of people need to grow a pair and tell the mrs what is what. I bet they get all the say on a new kitchen or bathroom after all.

It's all about compromise and no she doesn't get all the say on bathrooms or kitchens.

[Beechwoods]

Well I have my own room so Mrs B grumps about my kit, but when it comes to it I get my way heh heh...