Admit when you could have quit hi-fi

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by iDesign, Mar 2, 2019.

  1. 9suns

    9suns [insert unearned title here]

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    The first day I've heard "Hifi" was the day I almost quit.
    First "high end" headphone I've heard in my life was a pair of $1K Grado crap, don't remember the model, but my reaction was like: "do people really pay for this POS?".
    Fortunately, HD650 and some PMC speakers were there for saving the day :)
    Big thanks to the person who politely insisted in hearing the speakers and the "cheaper headphones", because Grados are "an acquired taste" (ehem!).
     
  2. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    When I had my AKG K500s and HD250 II Linears. I was almost out. Later I had to sell these headphones and my previous headphone amplifier and I started again from scratch.

    Since getting the Vali 2 I am hooked again. I want a less finicky Vali 2 (meaning I have to upgrade in the future) and a second HD600 and might jump for a stock or modified HD800 in the future.

    Good thing I am not too spoiled with portable gear. A DJ-headphone will do for me. Portable Amp/DACs are things I do not want to get involved with.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2019
  3. fraggler

    fraggler A Happy & Busy Life

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    Lol, this reminds me of my first meet waaay back. I think I had some Shure headphones or something at the time and a little Bravo amp. This guy pulls out some high end Grado out of this fancy case, and told me to try them. I don't think I was able to mask my WTF face well enough and he looked so hurt and indignant at the same time when I told him they were nice but not my preference. Luckily (or unluckily), someone had some AKG K1000 and those blew my mind.
     
  4. Olor1n

    Olor1n Friend

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    og Jot with onboard dac and HD650.

    Sonos play 5 gen 2 for speaker duties - effortless Spotify Connect playback from any iDevice.

    Simple, yet good enough to not detract from the music.
     
  5. westermac

    westermac Friend

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    I've been in a good spot for awhile now, mainly owing to the the fact that I've got my speaker setup in a good place, so headphones can take a backseat and aren't subject to my usual nitpicking. If China wiped out our internet or my wife got pregnant again (whichever happens first) I'd be perfectly content.

    Speakers:
    Gungnir MB A2 > BAL out > Mackie Big Knob Passive > 2x SVS SB2000 > Dynaudio M1

    Headphones:
    Gungnir MB A2 > SE out > MCTH w/Acopian > HD6XX

    Switching back and forth between the two setups is very similar in tonality and timbre. I just listen to speakers 90% of the time because soundstage, imaging and DAT BASS
     
  6. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    I was reasonably fond of Grado back in the RS1/RS2 days, and they made cans that were semi-decent on weaker sources which was rare in the early 2000's. Then they never got any better (or a bit worse, hard to tell), became a lot more expensive, still had the shoddy construction, the industry moved on and left them behind. It's the same story for Audio Technica and Denon.

    Funnily, my girlfriend is a massive Grado fan, that's just the signature she prefers. She has the SR325i, GS2000e and a PS500 and I for the life of me cannot understand why anyone would pay for those cans at that price point. But I have a soft spot for old Ultrasone gear (Edition 9, Edition 8) so I'm in no position to judge.

    The first high end headphone system that blew me away was the K1000 on a tricked out WA5. It was one of a handful of real "wow" moments for me in ~15 years of head-fi.
     
  7. Sherm

    Sherm Acquaintance

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    I'd been stuck wanting "MOAR" since I bought my first true amp, a HeadRoom Total Bithead, in 2009. It wasn't until the last two years when I finally built a Bottlehead S.E.X. and got a Modi 3 that I'm starting to find myself pretty satisfied and ready to just enjoy the music. Paired with the HD650M, this set up does most things well for me. The only thing I'm missing at this point is some nice bass extension and maybe a little more macrodynamics, but for most of the music I listen to, it isn't a problem. Maybe that'll change if I get to hear any better gear. Like @E_Schaaf said earlier, "unfortunately it is nearly impossible to un-hear anything."
     
  8. HotRatSalad

    HotRatSalad Friend

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    I've never quit because it took me until now to get where I am. If I had to quit I could now but this is more forced, cannot afford to keep climbing that ladder. I have my eyes on a couple things though ! That being said I've never been more happy with my audio gear at any point in time.
     
  9. StandUp713

    StandUp713 Friend

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    I should have stopped when I had the Sony D-33 CD Walkman and the MDR-V600 back in the day.
     
  10. iDesign

    iDesign Almost "Made"

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    It is interesting seeing the similarities in upgrade milestones like the arrival of the portable DAC as well as the brands that have consistently created excellent value products. No brand has been mentioned more than Schiit in this thread and it shows how much they've disrupted the market. There also have been quite a few nods to icons like Eddie Current's amplifiers, Sennheiser's HD600/HD650 and Ken Ball's future icon, the Andromeda. But its the products not mentioned in this thread that remind us just how large the hi-fi dumpster-fire has grown with garage products.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2019
  11. Rockwell

    Rockwell Friend

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    Once I find a less laggy DAP with a better EQ (and hopefully 2 SD slots) I should be set for a very long time.
     
  12. ChaChaRealSmooth

    ChaChaRealSmooth SBAF's Mr. Bean

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