Background: I have a Cambridge Audio CX stack (CXA81, transport, streamer) connected to a pair of Jamo C97II and a Jamo sub. Initially, the CXA81 and the Jamos were a bit bright compared to when I was using the AXR100. With time, the combination seemed to mellow out and sound pretty nice. The center imaging is amazing and the soundstage is solid. About a year ago, I did audition a pair of KEF R3 non-Meta and after some A/B testing, we both preferred the Jamo setup. But that didn’t quell the desire to upgrade, and after hearing the KEF R11 Meta in-store, I was blown away.

How do you fight the urge to upgrade? As I approach 50, I find myself looking at things with a certain finality aspect. I want to buy things that I’ll be happy with having for the rest of my life. The R11s are within my budget, but am I really going to experience that much of a huge difference? Or do you find that you give in more often than not?

  • lalalaladididi@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    You can’t.

    I’m already looking at new kit just after buying a new streamer.

    I’ve had the bug over 40 years.

    The key is not to get yourself into debt. Save up and only buy what you can afford.

  • pojosamaneo@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I bought the highest end version of the speakers that I love (KEF R11 and R3 for surrounds), an amp that can power them (Monoprice monolith), and it sounds amazing. I have some LS50s around the house, and they sound great.

    I’m done. It certainly cost enough. I still love trolling this place to look at speakers though.

  • mindhead1@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Don’t fight it. You’re around my age and now that some of my parental responsibilities are less financially taxing I started spending money on myself.

    I have a I’m the last 3 years I’ve gone as301 to CXA81 to Willsenton R8 to Kinki Studio EZ-M1+ on the amp front and just picked up a set of Buchardt s400 MKII.

    It all sounds great and I’m having a blast listening to music, new and old.

  • Skabbc@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Dont fight it. Reward yourself with gear that will put a smile on your face and that will amaze friends and family.

  • Writingaboutsound@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    I do two things - first I go listen to music, instead of looking online at reviews and things to buy.

    Second, I remind myself that I’m fortunate to have the set up I currently have - and that no matter what I buy, I wouldn’t be any happier. I would just move the goal posts with the new piece - that would be the new baseline and I’d have the same urge to upgrade 6 months later.

  • RoyalBed9202@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Whilst you’ve got good hearing go for the very best you can afford is my philosophy. I’m guided by opinions I trust and of course my own subjective experience but I totally agree with your thoughts on the finality aspect which makes me want to keep hearing the ‘best’ I can. Having said that I upgrade once every few years when I’m seduced by a good review. 🙂

  • piranesi28@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    You can fill that time and energy with other kinds of research about the music than the equipment. Spend some time learning a little music theory, until you can maybe play a few chord progressions and bass lines on a keyboard or guitar and your immersion in the sound will grow more than any amount of equipment change, especially given that you already have a setup that’s good enough for almost anyone’s ears in terms of fidelity.

    Once you “hear” more because you have some musical knowledge, (and it’s not nearly as hard as people think. The amount of time a lot of us spend on audiophile and equipment forums and comparing products is way more than enough time to learn how to play through the changes on a jazz standard or figure out the chords to a classic rock song) you will just not care about an incremental increase in frequency or clean-ness or warm-ness, etc. You will have more fun things to hear and think about.

  • Bonkfestival@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Change your speaker position. Tow in etc. you can make the system sound different and it will be like trying some different speakers. You might even find the perfect position for the sound you are trying to achieve. Then you might not want to buy more stuff after all.