Are we ever satisfied?

Sonnie · Dec 12, 2023

Want Want Want... always wanting more or something different. That is other than my wife I've had for 40 years come April... and our home for 24 years come February... things of which we can't do much about I suppose. Relating to audio and video, staying satisfied is hard for me. I keep wanting to try this and try that, and experiment, and it's costly fun for sure. But I may be reaching the end of the road with upgraditis, short of maybe an OLED TV at some point. Maybe I need to build a new AV room and go all out on the dimensions and size, but then I'd probably have to buy those ML Neoliths, which I certainly don't need. I'm running out of upgrades, and I'm running out of years as well. I already can't see well out of one ear and half deaf in one eye... going downhill fast from here it seems. I guess I'll take whatever good years the Lord will give me and enjoy it as long as I still can. Do I need a new remote control... nah... maybe a turntable... nah... perhaps some new acoustic panels. Want Want Want... what can I buy next?

JStewart · Dec 14, 2023

Sonnie said:
Want Want Want... always wanting more or something different. That is other than my wife I've had for 40 years come April... and our home for 24 years come February... things of which we can't do much about I suppose. Relating to audio and video, staying satisfied is hard for me. I keep wanting to try this and try that, and experiment, and it's costly fun for sure. But I may be reaching the end of the road with upgraditis, short of maybe an OLED TV at some point. Maybe I need to build a new AV room and go all out on the dimensions and size, but then I'd probably have to buy those ML Neoliths, which I certainly don't need. I'm running out of upgrades, and I'm running out of years as well. I already can't see well out of one ear and half deaf in one eye... going downhill fast from here it seems. I guess I'll take whatever good years the Lord will give me and enjoy it as long as I still can. Do I need a new remote control... nah... maybe a turntable... nah... perhaps some new acoustic panels. Want Want Want... what can I buy next?

Post in thread 'The Official JTR Speakers Subwoofer Discussion Thread!'
https://www.avnirvana.com/threads/t...s-subwoofer-discussion-thread.1509/post-97195

:rofl:

Sonnie · Dec 14, 2023

I know... reckon how that idea got planted into my head. I got it bad... I mean really bad.

Mike Schramm · Dec 14, 2023

I'm actually making a conscience effort to just enjoy what I have right now. Mainly because I can't continue to upgrade due to finances and I would drive myself crazy always looking at the next big thing. Its pretty nice just popping a movie in, pushing play, and enjoying what I am experiencing instead of wondering what I'm missing out on by not upgrading this or tinkering with that.

Sonnie · Dec 14, 2023

That's probably what I should try to do, but not what I want to do. The gun industry has been quite good to me over the last 4-5 years, and for the first time in my life, our financial situation is... well... we are blessed. We want to help others in need, but hopefully, I've earned the right to play a little with the hobby I love most. As I told my wife... we can't take it with us, and while I don't mind leaving some behind, I also want to enjoy at least some of what I've earned.

Mike Schramm · Dec 14, 2023

Oh Sonnie, don't get me wrong. As soon as my high school age children are out of college and out of the house and my disposable income increases, I'm planning to go hog wild! But, in the meantime, I need to pace myself or I'll go nuts with FOMO.

Sonnie · Dec 14, 2023

Yeah... I'm there, thankfully... only one daughter at 33, and she's fairly independent, and when we are gone, she will be in fine shape for sure. Kids are no doubt expensive, especially if they go to college. You have something to look forward to and will likely get there sooner than we did. It took a while for us to get there, probably longer than most.

Todd Anderson · Dec 14, 2023

Sonnie said:
Want Want Want... always wanting more or something different. That is other than my wife I've had for 40 years come April... and our home for 24 years come February... things of which we can't do much about I suppose. Relating to audio and video, staying satisfied is hard for me. I keep wanting to try this and try that, and experiment, and it's costly fun for sure. But I may be reaching the end of the road with upgraditis, short of maybe an OLED TV at some point. Maybe I need to build a new AV room and go all out on the dimensions and size, but then I'd probably have to buy those ML Neoliths, which I certainly don't need. I'm running out of upgrades, and I'm running out of years as well. I already can't see well out of one ear and half deaf in one eye... going downhill fast from here it seems. I guess I'll take whatever good years the Lord will give me and enjoy it as long as I still can. Do I need a new remote control... nah... maybe a turntable... nah... perhaps some new acoustic panels. Want Want Want... what can I buy next?

Uh... Sonnie... I hate to state the obvious, but you NEED those ML Neoliths!

(seriously, you do)

Todd Anderson · Dec 14, 2023

Mike Schramm said:
I'm actually making a conscience effort to just enjoy what I have right now. Mainly because I can't continue to upgrade due to finances and I would drive myself crazy always looking at the next big thing. Its pretty nice just popping a movie in, pushing play, and enjoying what I am experiencing instead of wondering what I'm missing out on by not upgrading this or tinkering with that.

Always good to stay on top of what's happening with new tech and new models, just from an educational standpoint. But you're absolutely doing the right thing. Family, kids, financial security... they ALL trump material possessions. I'm a little further down the highway than you, I have one daughter about to graduate from college, another is sophmore in college... I would have sold all of my theater gear if it had meant doing something positive for them.

I ran a relatively simple home theater room anchored by Polk RTiAs for a number of years, back in the day. Loved it. Loved every second of it. A quarter of the battle is setting things up right... another half is your room (and there's plenty of affordable ways to improve the room). The rest is gear, and I think you can have a great time with gear that doesn't cost high dollar.

This is between us... don't tell my significantly better half!

Sonnie · Dec 14, 2023

Todd Anderson said:
Uh... Sonnie... I hate to state the obvious, but you NEED those ML Neoliths!

(seriously, you do)

No... seriously I DO NOT... they will cause me to have to build a new room because they are literally too big of a footprint for my current room to get the proper placement. My significant better half has already said NO to adding on to the house. Besides... ML is supposedly coming out with some new speakers pretty soon... might be something in the same size range as the 15As and I can consider those... maybe.

Todd Anderson said:
This is between us... don't tell my significantly better half!

I just sent her the link to your post. :sneaky:

Todd Anderson · Dec 14, 2023

There's always room for negotiation! I know those Neos are huge, but the sound sooooooooooooo sweet. I would love to follow along on your journey to acquire them!

Sonnie · Dec 14, 2023

I bet you would... might even get you down here huh?

I just ordered six Cap 2400 units from Jeff a few minutes ago... that will have to do for now. Maybe the Neos if I can figure out how to remove the riser in my room without creating too big of a mess.

FargateOne · Dec 17, 2023

@Sonnie my wife and I turn 41 in...April too (the 9th!) "

And the answer to your question is " no, never", with sound I mean. A long time ago, my financial situation was not easy and I sold all my gears including my vinyl disc collection. When our last chidren left our home, the passion (craziness would say my wife) came back. Many thousands dollars later I am still unsatisfy and searching for what could I do to get better sound.

But the lack of standards in music and film production, the sale of very expensive devices with poorly tested, poorly implanted and increasingly fragile electronics, the industry's frenzy to produce new devices that render "obsolete" the one we just bought 3 months ago, makes me a little more capable of putting a stop to my own frenzy.

In recent 3 years it is the 3rd avr that I must send to repair after less than 2 years in service (those were not cheap ones I sware, one had hardware broken, the second was calculated wrong delays, third again hardware issues) ....then my wife said last month: That's crazy. don't you see that YOU are the puppet of someone out there...

...ouch! If I want to be at home next April... :redgrin:

JStewart · Dec 17, 2023

FargateOne said:
the sale of very expensive devices with poorly tested, poorly implanted and increasingly fragile electronics, the industry's frenzy to produce new devices that render "obsolete" the one we just bought 3 months ago, makes me a little more capable of putting a stop to my own frenzy.

I hear you @FargateOne . It seems like we consumers have become unwitting beta testers for almost everything new. It’s maddening.

I‘m finally at a point where I can enjoy my gear by listening to it instead of replacing or tweaking it. Things I’d like to have, like Kaleidescape, are pricey and probably not game changing improvements.

A couple of things I will pony up for in time are Dirac ART when it’s available for my processor. Another is a large flat panel to replace my projector set up. In comparison to others, my screen is pretty small at 92” and at some point in the next year or so the projector will need a new bulb, so perhaps a reasonable time to make that move.

So I think I’m kind of middle of the road as far as being satisfied. I want stuff, but it has to be more than a marginal improvement in sound or video quality and of good value to me, which may not be the same someone else.

Sonnie · Dec 17, 2023

I want to do an Auro 3D setup, but I don't have enough amp channels and no room to add another amp, so I ordered the 16-channel StormAudio amp so I will be able to accommodate five more channels. I don't think I can do the VOG center, as I don't have room at the top above the TV, and I will have even less room if I eventually upgrade to a 110" TV. So I'll probably just add the front height speakers on each side and the side height speakers, which will require buying more MartinLogan speakers... on the small side. It just never seems to end. Want want want!

Aburguy · Feb 17, 2024

Sonnie said:
Want Want Want... always wanting more or something different. That is other than my wife I've had for 40 years come April... and our home for 24 years come February... things of which we can't do much about I suppose. Relating to audio and video, staying satisfied is hard for me. I keep wanting to try this and try that, and experiment, and it's costly fun for sure. But I may be reaching the end of the road with upgraditis, short of maybe an OLED TV at some point. Maybe I need to build a new AV room and go all out on the dimensions and size, but then I'd probably have to buy those ML Neoliths, which I certainly don't need. I'm running out of upgrades, and I'm running out of years as well. I already can't see well out of one ear and half deaf in one eye... going downhill fast from here it seems. I guess I'll take whatever good years the Lord will give me and enjoy it as long as I still can. Do I need a new remote control... nah... maybe a turntable... nah... perhaps some new acoustic panels. Want Want Want... what can I buy next?

A truly contagious hobby to say the least. Advancements to what you can now have in your home have come so far. I would agree there is always items and products on the radar!

Todd Anderson · Feb 17, 2024

Aburguy said:
A truly contagious hobby to say the least. Advancements to what you can now have in your home have come so far. I would agree there is always items and products on the radar!

"A truly contagious hobby..."

Four words have never rung more true!

We need to pull together a master class on how to avoid AV FOMO and Upgradeitis!

Mike Schramm · Feb 17, 2024

I’ll sign up. I know the wife would want me to take that class!

JStewart · Feb 17, 2024

Todd Anderson said:
We need to pull together a master class on how to avoid AV FOMO and Upgradeitis!

Here lately I’ve been avoiding upgradeitis through vicarious enjoyment of @Sonnie ’s multitude of recent acquisitions. Thanks, Sonnie! You’ve probably saved me a buck or two!
PS: will you kindly post some photos? I fear I might start backsliding without another fix pretty soon. Thanks! :redgrin:

Calypso · Feb 17, 2024

Fundamental, this is a community where many us strive for the ultimate sound in a domain where the industry is continuously moving the goal posts, forcing us to look over the wall! Just take a breath once in awhile and enjoy what you have assembled. In fact, it’s fun to research, listen at the nearest audio store, or exhibition but even the best system when brought home needs to work in its room. Buying a better component doesn’t correct the room mode that is holding back my system from shining.

Hope the industry does more to help us understand this and correct it with more sophisticated tools.

Mike Schramm · Feb 17, 2024

Well said Calypso. There’s a lot of belief out there that a new component will create a night and day difference to what we have now. While that may be the case in some instances, I’d bet if people did a blind A/B test the difference would likely be minimal, if noticeable at all. Our systems are pretty fantastic as they are.
With that said, I’m still always looking to improve my system, no matter how incremental it may be.

Todd Anderson · Feb 17, 2024

Calypso said:
Fundamental, this is a community where many us strive for the ultimate sound in a domain where the industry is continuously moving the goal posts, forcing us to look over the wall! Just take a breath once in awhile and enjoy what you have assembled. In fact, it’s fun to research, listen at the nearest audio store, or exhibition but even the best system when brought home needs to work in its room. Buying a better component doesn’t correct the room mode that is holding back my system from shining.

Hope the industry does more to help us understand this and correct it with more sophisticated tools.

So true. If you take the time to set up the gear you have correctly, most stepping stone improvements are going to be incremental, if not unnoticeable, especially if you’re only upgrading within specific series or lines.

Todd Anderson · Feb 17, 2024

Mike Schramm said:
I’ll sign up. I know the wife would want me to take that class!

We can get you in with some merit money :redgrin:

Todd Anderson · Feb 17, 2024

Mike Schramm said:
Well said Calypso. There’s a lot of belief out there that a new component will create a night and day difference to what we have now. While that may be the case in some instances, I’d bet if people did a blind A/B test the difference would likely be minimal, if noticeable at all. Our systems are pretty fantastic as they are.
With that said, I’m still always looking to improve my system, no matter how incremental it may be.

Just read this after I posted.

We’re vibing, here.

Part of the fun in upgrading is the chase. It’s the research and planning… the acquisition. Getting a leaps and bounds better experience is the cherry on top!

Sonnie · Feb 17, 2024

JStewart said:
Here lately I’ve been avoiding upgradeitis through vicarious enjoyment of @Sonnie ’s multitude of recent acquisitions. Thanks, Sonnie! You’ve probably saved me a buck or two!
PS: will you kindly post some photos? I fear I might start backsliding without another fix pretty soon. Thanks!

Oh I plan to, but probably not until I finish my revamped room. I just ordered another 12 speakers from Jeff at JTR this past week. :bigsmile:

Todd Anderson said:
Just read this after I posted.

We’re vibing, here.

Part of the fun in upgrading is the chase. It’s the research and planning… the acquisition. Getting a leaps and bounds better experience is the cherry on top!

Couldn't have said it better myself. The chase... the research... that is an incredibly fun part of it all for me.

Granted... some of what I upgraded was only for the fact I had been wanting something for many years and could finally afford it. The improvements were either cosmetic or convenience, which did give me some psychoacoustic value in the sound, but certainly nothing AB testing would prove. The biggest improvement has been the StormAudio processor with DLART and the six JTR Cap 2400 subs, which combined absolutely made a significant difference.

Are we ever satisfied?

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