Should I think?

[CJSF]

Life at CJS Towers has been on the edge for a while now, some things one canot do anythig about but others, I have options. I have been listening to digital almost exclusivly for 3 or 4 months, one of the unmovables for the forseable future, I have come to appreciate the good points. This morning my electricity assement for 2012/13/14 droped on my mat. My usage has increased over this period by £350. Made the brow furrow a little, however the period coincides with the change to a full valve setup!

Much thinking over the day and listening to hifi from 1 o'clock untill now had the gray matter doing handstands. I seem to be enjoying my music or should I say 'we' for it applies to Hazel as well. Yes I know viny is better or I think it is better?

As a seniour citizen, thats is a lot of money. No I'm not on the bread line but it is a fixed income and as I anticipate being around for at least another decade, put another zero on that figure as unjustifiable expenditure? I know, I dont smoke, drink very little, but I do have another expensive hobby which takes my summer months interest?

The thinking is, when I changed from a Croft intigrated to the full monty of Icon valves, the sound I was getting from the Croft was very good, I had been talking to Glen Croft about up grading the basic amp to as high a level as was posible in one box. Glen sait it was very possible and we talked of a very resanoble upgrade price, that idea has jumped back in my mind along with looking at transistors . . . ouch, ouch, but an Exposure might do the job?

Obviously the Icon could be sold as part of the funds, I still have the Croft so that could also go that rout or be upgraded to give me money in pocket.

Any thoughts on the above, I have muted something like this befor I thing, this is much more serious . . .

CJSF

 

[CnoEvil]

I suspect that £350 is good value for the sheer pleasure it gives you.....could you spend that much on something that would give more pleasure?

I have a similar problem with the 35i, so I keep for "proper" sessions, rather than background music.

 

[tino]

What about a power efficient warmish (sacrilegious) Class D amp ... with digital inputs so you don't need a DAC ... that's the route I went with for everyday listening. Hence the Power DAC in my sig. The valve amp comes out on special occasions, or when the room's a bit chilly *biggrin*

 

[drummerman]

Perhaps there is niggling thought in the back of your mind that the icon is not all it was meant to be?

I don't know, I've never heard one but if I had something I could not do without I'd find the funds to continue.

regards

 

[chebby]

Is that £350 extra per year?

 

[Vladimir]

Is there a river nearby? I think washing machines are overrated.

 

[JamesMellor]

Hiya CJ,

"As a seniour citizen, thats is a lot of money. No I'm not on the bread line but it is a fixed income and as I anticipate being around for at least another decade, put another zero on that figure as unjustifiable expenditure? I know, I dont smoke, drink very little, but I do have another expensive hobby which takes my summer months interest?"

It's a totally justifiable expense for you two , you didnt work all your life to exist, you are entitled to enjoy . I'd think long and hard if the cost of a change will pay for what you'll save on the bill, before you even start listening .

Best Wishes

James

 

[stevebrock]

Ooops, dreading my leccy bill now !!!

 

[CnoEvil]

Ooops, dreading my leccy bill now !!!

You can always save money by doing your laundry in the river! *crazy*

 

[stevebrock]

Ooops, dreading my leccy bill now !!!

You can always save money by doing your laundry in the river! *crazy*

Is ok sending the kids out to work, the neighbours chimneys need sweeping!

 

[CJSF]

Is that £350 extra per year?

Yes Chebby, thats about what it works out to per year. We do listen a lot, today it was 7 hours, then dinner, now I'm back for another couple of Horlicks hours? Probably not that much every day, but 3 or 4 days a week it will be 4-5 hours.

CJSF

 

[CJSF]

Ooops, dreading my leccy bill now !!!

Yes Steve, the dates that show on my review tally up nicley with the Icon showing up.

CJSF

 

[Overdose]

Any thoughts on the above, I have muted something like this befor I thing, this is much more serious . .

To put it bluntly, it is your inability to be content with what you have that is the problem. It is getting in the way of actually enjoying the music.

You obsess over trivia and it is this that has most likely also cost you a lot of money through continuous 'upgrades'.

If you cannot afford what you have, get something that you can afford, it is quite simple.

A pair of DM5 active speakers (or similar) attached to some sort of passive (non powered) preamp would most likely be all you would ever need in terms of sound quality and be far more energy efficient to boot.

 

[CJSF]

Ooops, dreading my leccy bill now !!!

Yes Steve, the dates that show on my review tally up nicley with the Icon showing up. I wondered if anyone would react that way?

CJSF

 

[stevebrock]

Well today is Saturday - the beasts have been powered up since 9am this morning

Had some juice going through them around 4-5 hours, Im grinning like a cheshire cat and when the bill comes - so be it!

I knew my bill would go up - but im enjoying music loads right now so I don't care.

 

[CJSF]

Any thoughts on the above, I have muted something like this befor I thing, this is much more serious . .

To put it bluntly, it is your inability to be content with what you have that is the problem. It is getting in the way of actually enjoying the music.

You obsess over trivia and it is this that has most likely also cost you a lot of money through continuous 'upgrades'.

If you cannot afford what you have, get something that you can afford, it is quite simple.

A pair of DM5 active speakers (or similar) attached to some sort of passive (non powered) preamp would most likely be all you would ever need in terms of sound quality and be far more energy efficient to boot.

I'd put it more to the point of your inability to have a meanigfull and inteligent answere to a simply put question.

I did not say I cant afford it, but considered the implications and wheather it was worth going down that route. Read between the lines, I like what I have and enjoy it does any one have a sencible answer or have they looked at it this way?

CJSF

 

[stevebrock]

Any thoughts on the above, I have muted something like this befor I thing, this is much more serious . .

To put it bluntly, it is your inability to be content with what you have that is the problem. It is getting in the way of actually enjoying the music.

You obsess over trivia and it is this that has most likely also cost you a lot of money through continuous 'upgrades'.

If you cannot afford what you have, get something that you can afford, it is quite simple.

A pair of DM5 active speakers (or similar) attached to some sort of passive (non powered) preamp would most likely be all you would ever need in terms of sound quality and be far more energy efficient to boot.

I'd put it more to the point of your inability to have a meanigfull and inteligent answere to a simply put question.

I did not say I cant afford it, but considered the implications and wheather it was worth going down that route. Read between the lines, I like what I have and enjoy it does any one have a sencible answer or have they looked at it this way?

CJSF

Good for you Cliff !!!!

That Active rubbish is f*****g withcraft

 

[Overdose]

That Active rubbish is f*****g withcraft

Withwhat?

 

[Vladimir]

OK, I think it's reasonable to recommend a more practical solution, but why for crying out loud did you mention AVI??? *shok*

"Making home salsa is becoming expensive"

"Get a store made one, it's good and not expensive"

But noooo, you had to say "Why not try Satan's pi$$ for your ravioli." *diablo*

 

[stevebrock]

OK, I thinks its reasonable to recommend a more practical solution, but why for crying out loud did you mention AVI??? *shok*

"Making home salsa is becoming expensive"

"Get a store made one, it's good and not expensive"

But noooo, you had to say "Why not try Satans pi$$ for your ravioli." *diablo*

because he cant help spreading his withcraft about and in doing so totally misunderstood the OP

 

[Overdose]

Any thoughts on the above, I have muted something like this befor I thing, this is much more serious . .

To put it bluntly, it is your inability to be content with what you have that is the problem. It is getting in the way of actually enjoying the music.

You obsess over trivia and it is this that has most likely also cost you a lot of money through continuous 'upgrades'.

If you cannot afford what you have, get something that you can afford, it is quite simple.

A pair of DM5 active speakers (or similar) attached to some sort of passive (non powered) preamp would most likely be all you would ever need in terms of sound quality and be far more energy efficient to boot.

I'd put it more to the point of your inability to have a meanigfull and inteligent answere to a simply put question.

I did not say I cant afford it, but considered the implications and wheather it was worth going down that route. Read between the lines, I like what I have and enjoy it does any one have a sencible answer or have they looked at it this way?

CJSF

No, not really. Again, you are over analysing.

You either enjoy what you have or you don't and you can either afford the cost or not.

It's really very simple. Keep or replace (upgrade again).

An efficent D-class amplified active system wil be far more energy efficient than anything that you have had to date, if that is your real concern.

 

[stevebrock]

OK, I think it's reasonable to recommend a more practical solution, but why for crying out loud did you mention AVI??? *shok*

"Making home salsa is becoming expensive"

"Get a store made one, it's good and not expensive"

But noooo, you had to say "Why not try Satan's pi$$ for your ravioli." *diablo*

Vladimir, Kudos to you ! Thats the best post youve ever made on here

 

[Overdose]

because he cant help spreading his withcraft about and in doing so totally misunderstood the OP

Is there some wrong with your keyboard?

 

[stevebrock]

No my keyboard is passive

 

[CJSF]

I suspect that £350 is good value for the sheer pleasure it gives you.....could you spend that much on something that would give more pleasure?

I have a similar problem with the 35i, so I keep for "proper" sessions, rather than background music.

You are probably right Cno, watching a program on TV the other day, cheapest seats at an avarage of £23 per seat per match, £50-£60 quid for two with a drink and a pie, I hate!!! football so I'm a non football fan as well as a non smoker and very light drinker, dont even think about Prmier League costs . . . so hifi aint that expensive any more than my other hobby?

Even so thinking to the future, anyone know where the nearest stockist is for Exposure, I live East Anglia, travel is not a problem.

Might be a good idea to plug the Croft in tomorrow, the cable plugs are due for a clean, see where that leads . . . just how far have we moved on, as has been mentioned, have we been kidding ourselves. I think its a biased, negative view but as always, I have an open mind, be nice to reaquaint with the Croft sound and presentation. A few things happend that will have an affect on the Croft sound? . . . *dash1*

CJSF