I really like this answer. Personally, I knew what I like and didn’t like after, well, decades of different budget gear. I knew what I wanted it to sound like (solid bass with no subs, very dynamic, wide soundstage and speakers that disappear when I close my eyes), and I knew what I liked the look of and what I didn’t like the look of (give me big blue VU meters and turntable that looks like the finish on a PRS guitar) and after going to audio shows and swapping out budget gear (every speaker I owned I was given as they were going to be thrown out or found for free up until 2 years ago), I was finally ready for true audiophile gear. I auditioned gear everywhere I could. Once I found what I was looking for, and negotiated to a point where I was happy, I got it all setup and now I enjoy my music more than ever. I also have it hooked up to my tv and got rid of the 5.1 and just listen to the 2.0 system now. I’m incredibly happy and content with the setup I have and while I wonder what a different streamer or DAC might sound like, I’ve reached my endgame where it makes me smile every time I turn it on.
I have playlists of music that, if I’m honest, I’m listening to my system more than the song itself. I put em on every once in a while and it never fails to impress.
Trying to spend money on experiences rather than things, and to me, this counts as an experience I can repeat daily
I really like this answer. Personally, I knew what I like and didn’t like after, well, decades of different budget gear. I knew what I wanted it to sound like (solid bass with no subs, very dynamic, wide soundstage and speakers that disappear when I close my eyes), and I knew what I liked the look of and what I didn’t like the look of (give me big blue VU meters and turntable that looks like the finish on a PRS guitar) and after going to audio shows and swapping out budget gear (every speaker I owned I was given as they were going to be thrown out or found for free up until 2 years ago), I was finally ready for true audiophile gear. I auditioned gear everywhere I could. Once I found what I was looking for, and negotiated to a point where I was happy, I got it all setup and now I enjoy my music more than ever. I also have it hooked up to my tv and got rid of the 5.1 and just listen to the 2.0 system now. I’m incredibly happy and content with the setup I have and while I wonder what a different streamer or DAC might sound like, I’ve reached my endgame where it makes me smile every time I turn it on.
I have playlists of music that, if I’m honest, I’m listening to my system more than the song itself. I put em on every once in a while and it never fails to impress.
Trying to spend money on experiences rather than things, and to me, this counts as an experience I can repeat daily