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?
If your system sounds good and there isn’t a glaring problem that is driving you crazy, just try to enjoy it for what it is. Pull out old albums and rediscover them. It’s ultimately about the music.
Stay away from places where you can audition other equipment. Stop reading reviews. “Out of sight, out of mind” works. Vow to live with what you have for at least a year before allowing yourself to even consider an upgrade. At some point making changes provides a differnce but not always an improvement. With any given equipment configuration, some music will sound better, but others less so.
I’ve blown a lot of money over the years trading up. I guess I had to get it out of my system. Well, enough is enough. It’s been stable for at least 8 years now, and although I can think of changes I could make, I ask myself if that’s really how I should spend that money when my system still sounds great. And somehow I’m able to hold off.