Side-grading means ,by construction, similar gains and losses. Thus, indeed very effective way to diagnose our own preference, perception, etc. A bit oversimplification, but I think less side grading = Lower type-1 error, more side grading = Lower type-2 error.
Takeaway is to convince and justify ourselves at every step. Ideally as thorough as possible. Direct advice from others is barely helpful at least for me. It also prevents us from developing own sets of logic and policy. Needless to say, following others' advice is imho quite boring way to enjoy this hobby. No new discovery.
I indeed learned greatly from my sidegrading from X26 to BF2. It really widened my perspective and taught me a lot of transferable knowledges I'm appreciating for the recent years.
Finally, I believe whether one movement is up/down/side-grading is very subject to each person. Moving to the cheaper gear or even returning to the same gear can be upgrade as long as we see more incremental gains than losses.
Very much disagree. You can discover new gear by auditioning without sidegrading i.e. without changing out system components altogether. The latter means you don't actually have a reference point so you don't really diagnose preferences, you just latch on to anything different as being "better" and since all gear are different you get constant, near-mindless cycling.
This is also probably why I prefer reading loaner reviews by people who don't cycle gear, so I can better triangulate their preferences against mine. That said, this hobby is more about enjoyment than reviews or reaching some pinnacle, so if gear cycling is what engages you in the hobby, then great! At least you are happy where you are, or where you will be in a few weeks/months
Most auditions are practically short-term oriented. Of course I love to use as many such chances as possible. But that can't create deeper discourses and thoughts collection.
Developing our own reference points (I do think it's dynamic and time-variant in nature) is what we should pursue during side-grading.
Just to make clear. I define the full cycle of side-grading as "pre-auditions/research + buy first before selling any + one compo at once + careful ABing in-depth evaluation + enough period to collect thoughts"
I totally agree, nothing trumps trying new gear in your home whether it's more expensive gear or equal or even cheaper that what you used to use. Discovering your own preference is number one step for newcomers.
Sidegrading = costly masturbation. Pick a philosophy and pursue it until it no longer interests you. E.g. High complication, high driver count speakers + high wattage class-a SS amplification + latest ESS chip DAC, or! high efficiency simple driver/crossover + low wattage SET + R2R or better vinyl rig. Don't cross the piss streams and piss-stain your life with extraneous gear-dicking-about.
@nishan99 Exactly. I'm seeing side-grading as a sort of extended home auditions or investigation that we don't have to feel to be pushed or forced. There used to be generally so many new discoveries, findings, and fun. It's pretty cool as long as we know what we risk..
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