Are you happy with your system?

[Fandango Andy]

Reading comments on this and other forums, there seem to be people who are constantly swapping and changing components within their systems. Others have a goal they are working towards, but they don't yet have the budget or space for it.

I am happy with what I have and have no plans to change or upgrade anything unless something goes wrong, or I unexpectedly find myself wealthy!

How would you describe your current relationship with your system?

 

[GSV Ethics Gradient]

Yep - it's my high frequency hearing that I'd love to be better!

 

[GSyL]

Been a happy camper for a while after eliminating a lot of experimental gear. Maybe it's a phase we all go through - chasing the perfect sound. The journey is fun...a lot of education can be gleaned from researching& testing gear, specs, opinions on forums, etc.

The part that changed me was inheriting an old Sherwood S-7200 that I plugged into some GE console speakers from the 60's (40watts) and realized it was more pleasing than my expensive setup....no critical listing, just a relaxed feeling hearing beautiful music. I did a tear down and simplified....never looked back...and I still use the Sherwood/GE combo at times.

The EQ approach that sound engineers use is the best for me...instead of adding more bass or treble, they will reduce frequencies elsewhere in the mix to increase headroom and lower noise. I think a sound system is similar...sometimes reducing is better than adding. I still add stuff though...once a gear junkie, always a gear junkie 😎

 

[RTHerringbone]

Yep, I'm very content after a feverish spell of box-swapping for about 18 months. I don't want or need to change anything, and I don't even have a wandering eye asking "What if....?" questions any more.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

Pretty happy.
No changes from 2017 to 2025.
Bought new speakers because my cats damaged the tweeter of 1 of the speakers I had(and still have) and had enough spare change lying around for a new pair and the repair of the old ones.
With the remaining money, bought me a new streamer and a new integrated amp to be able to have a 2nd set.
That was fun for a few weeks but slowly I stopped using the 2nd set.

New plans for maybe later this year or 2027:
Sell the 2 integrated amps, 1 pair of speakers, use 1 of 3 choices I have already as pre-amp, buy a new class D power amp (something like Apollon or similar).
Maybe I´ll add a SACD player and go back to buying physical media in the form of SACD discs.
Still the most important and difficult of all is to keep the 2 damn cats far away from my sets!! 😀

 

[GSyL]

Pretty happy.
No changes from 2017 to 2025.
Bought new speakers because my cats damaged the tweeter of 1 of the speakers I had(and still have) and had enough spare change lying around for a new pair and the repair of the old ones.
With the remaining money, bought me a new streamer and a new integrated amp to be able to have a 2nd set.
That was fun for a few weeks but slowly I stopped using the 2nd set.

New plans for maybe later this year or 2027:
Sell the 2 integrated amps, 1 pair of speakers, use 1 of 3 choices I have already as pre-amp, buy a new class D power amp (something like Apollon or similar).
Maybe I´ll add a SACD player and go back to buying physical media in the form of SACD discs.
Still the most important and difficult of all is to keep the 2 damn cats far away from my sets!! 😀

Facts - cats go for the tweeters...I feel your pain. Had some Event 20/20bas in my recording studio that suffered that wrath years ago.

 

[GroeneLeeuw]

 

[Jasonovich]

View attachment 11653

If you have two Maine C**ns, the waste is industrial.
I've become a great archaeologists, I recognise artefacts easily, yep this is mushy, it must belong to the great Pharaoh Flynn. 😂

 

[Gray]

Yep, I'm very content after a feverish spell of box-swapping for about 18 months. I don't want or need to change anything, and I don't even have a wandering eye asking "What if....?" questions any more.

That's the ideal position to be in of course.
Being in a semi-detached house puts a limit on some of my "what if?" thoughts, but there's no chance of me losing them.

More than grateful to have what I've got - and the ability to hear it - but reckon I could be happier (isn't that true of life in general?).

 

[RTHerringbone]

That's the ideal position to be in of course.
Being in a semi-detached house puts a limit on some of my "what if?" thoughts, but there's no chance of me losing them.

More than grateful to have what I've got - and the ability to hear it - but reckon I could be happier (isn't that true of life in general?).

I'm in a semi too but don't necessarily look at that as a major issue. Sure, I listen at more conservative levels than I'd perhaps prefer (not often to be honest), but that's where my headphone system / DAP steps in.

Then, if and when the kids move out and we move to a nice detached place near the sea / in the Lake District, then I can let the main system finally stretch its legs a bit. Playing the long game.

 

[Hi*Brumm]

For decades I swapped system after system, First to make things better by budget, later on searching for my best. Some went, some stayed and I ended with, and now being my really final, set. Here we go: Streamer: EverSolo DMP-A6 gen 2, SACD: Yamaha CD-S2000, Turntable: Denon DP-59M, Cartridges: AT-OC9XML + Denon DL-103R, Phono Pre: Teac PE-505, Pre: Rotel RC-1590, Cassette: Denon-M24HX, Pre: Rotel RC-1590, Power: 2x Quad QMP Elite, Speakers: 2x Final ESL 1.4 MII, Power Bank (a real game changer!): PS Audio P1000. Shure, better sets are lurking and will ever be, but (with curtains closed I greately upgraded the acoustics of my listening room) now I’m really completely satified. Not only for now but forever. A person must know when to stop as fully enjoying music came his/her way and listening music at home makes him/her happy. Because music is what it’s all about and maybe life concerts are the only that can surpass any hifi/high end audio system. I’m so glad ánd happy that I’m satisfied with what I have and enjoy.

 

[Jasonovich]

That's the ideal position to be in of course.
Being in a semi-detached house puts a limit on some of my "what if?" thoughts, but there's no chance of me losing them.

More than grateful to have what I've got - and the ability to hear it - but reckon I could be happier (isn't that true of life in general?).

We have a detached but love to have a summer house in the garden to play my gear.
Looking to sell house soon, hopefully find such a a garden in Cambridgeshire/North Norfolk.

 

[Jasonovich]

I think I'm pretty much done with upgrading my system.
My final plan is to have a top notch R2R DAC for my Head-Fi.

I will still tinker with cables and other Hifi related stuff.

When we do eventually moved to another property, I may experience some short comings with room positioning and fingers crossed, I don't go on another upgrade binge 🙂

 

[davidf]

Reading comments on this and other forums, there seem to be people who are constantly swapping and changing components within their systems.

That'll be mostly people who buy without listening, who use reviews and other people's opinions rather than their own to make their choices. Some just like to play with something new every month.

 

[Gel]

I’m as happy as Larry. 🙂

 

[Al ears]

I’m as happy as Larry. 🙂

Is Larry happy??

 

[Gel]

Is Larry happy??

Yes.

 

[Al ears]

Yes.

I don't believe you...... 🙂

 

[Gel]

I don't believe you...... 🙂

Fair dinkum.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I don't believe you...... 🙂

🤣

 

[Gray]

Is Larry happy??

As long as he's got a return option 😉

 

[Al ears]

As long as he's got a return option 😉

I rest my case m'lud!

 

[abacus]

I just change when needed, either due to failure (Vary rare) or a new sound and picture format comes out that is enticing, and which requires an upgrade. (That's not very often though)
I always take care when choosing ,by checking specs (And does the unit do what I want) and various reviews etc. to narrow things down, then its a listen to see which unit allows me to sink into the sofa and forget about the system.

Bill

 

[Shrek]

I am very happy with my system but i know i wont stop exploring new avenues/upgrades .I do have a few on my wish list .Part of the fun for me like any other hobbies.

 

[Fandango Andy]

As long as he's got a return option 😉

🤣