Considering selling all of my audio gear

[appadv]

It's been a wonderful year here on Club Polk, but I am seriously considering selling all of my audio equipment and moving on to something else. It's partly a combination of being scammed with a purchase, not knowing what to do, and then losing faith in the hobby. Unfortunately, it really sucks.

I think I'm just going to sell everything, take this money, and set it in the bank. Maybe I'll be able to do something else with it. Like do the research I always wanted to do in college.

I've got my sights set on a few other things and it seems like now is the time to move on.

[MrNightly]

Best of luck to ya...


** What kind of amp does he have... ** ;)

[tommyboy]

I think I'm just going to sell everything,

Does that include your tv?:D



Well, if thats what you truly want to do, then go for it.

But you know the saying... you don't know what you have until its gone.

Best of luck, and I got first dibs on the tv;)

[appadv]

Does that include your tv?:D



Well, if thats what you truly want to do, then go for it.

But you know the saying... you don't know what you have until its gone.

Best of luck, and I got first dibs on the tv;)

Nope. But I will say, I have no problem watching a 13" Zenith TV.

[BaggedLancer]

But you know the saying... you don't know what you have until its gone.



Game.....set.....match.

You'll wanna shoot yourself in the foot when it's all gone. You have so many years ahead of you, just fix your projector and enjoy it. You'll be glad you did.

[appadv]

Game.....set.....match.

You'll wanna shoot yourself in the foot when it's all gone. You have so many years ahead of you, just fix your projector and enjoy it. You'll be glad you did.

That's uplifting to say the least, as I want to stay in this hobby, but it's a whole combination of things working against each other...

Someone here tell me its worth it all!

Or I can sell all my gear and get a Bose Wave Radio and still be happy.

[appadv]

http://www.bose.com/controller?event=VIEW_STATIC_PAGE_EVENT&url=/home_entertainment/music_systems/wave/awms/index.jsp

"it rivals the sound of much larger, more complicated stereos."

Hmm, looks like a nice product.

[ESAVINON]

Sell it all. When you get the audio/video bug again then buy yourself a new system.

[nms]

I think you're still reeling from your projector fiasco. If I were you, I'd give it 2 weeks or so before doing anything drastic like selling all your gear. Just think it over, take it easy for a while and then reconsider. Maybe even ignore all your equipment for a few weeks...

[SolidSqual]

I think you need to just step back for a second. I feel you man. I had a piece of equipment a while back that gave me absolute hell. The very presence of it in my home, just ruined the mood and killed my audio experience. Go do something else for a day or two. After that, either sell the projector or fix it. Once it's working you will be in love again. Fixing the projector or selling it may be a pain in the ass at times. If it becomes so, step back, breather and go do something else. When you are ready . . . finsih the job and then continue with your audio journey.

[McLoki]

If push comes to shove - maybe it is time to hold with what you have for awhile. Not sell it all, but don't keep adding to it either. Spend some of the money you had earmarked for your next upgrade on music or movies that got you into this hobby to begin with.

Enjoy what you have for awhile.

Michael

[appadv]

Wow,

Just by reading some of these responses, I think this is what makes Club Polk such a great place. Some of you have given me great advice over the past year and I really appreciate it.

[nms]

Wow,

Just by reading some of these responses, I think this is what makes Club Polk such a great place.

Yeah, we don't want to see you leave!

[daboyz]

I'm sure we've all gone through the "bad deal syndrome" at one time in our audio lives. Stick with it. All will be good eventually.

[Kex]

I honestly think that music, and to a lesser extent (for me), movies, are some of those pleasures in life that truly give you some peace of mind. I could not imagine life without audio. I would have a little difficulty imagining life without video. I would have no issues imagining life (and frequently do) without TV: it would be gone already, mostly because of excessive and constantly annoying commercials exposure, except for the wifey's addiction to HGTV and my need to watch CNBC from time to time.

Getting rid of a decent audio/video setup because of a grueling disappointment experience is a mistake IMHO. I would buy some excellent CDs or DVDs to get some added enjoyment from it to show just how worth it the effort really is.

[appadv]

I honestly think that music, and to a lesser extent (for me), movies, are some of those pleasures in life that truly give you some peace of mind. I could not imagine life without audio. I would have a little difficulty imagining life without video. I would have no issues imagining life (and frequently do) without TV: it would be gone already, mostly because of excessive and constantly annoying commercials exposure, except for the wifey's addiction to HGTV and my need to watch CNBC from time to time.

Getting rid of a decent audio/video setup because of a grueling disappointment experience is a mistake IMHO. I would buy some excellent CDs or DVDs to get some added enjoyment from it to show just how worth it the effort really is.

Wow, that is really insightful. I never thought of it that way.

I am a "music lover" at heart and think that a day without music is a mistake.

[wingnut4772]

I would sleep on that a bit. You might regret it. You will always be bound to run into disappointment from time to time. When that happens, don't abandon something you love.
If you find that it's truly not a passion and you are happy with your Bose and 13" set, then hell yeah! Use that dough for something you will enjoy. Good luck. Hate to see you go.:(

[Zero]

As the others have suggested; take a deep breath and step back for a bit. Many of us, including yours truly, have reached the point you're currently at. Have a few nights out on the town and in a couple of days, when your spirits are lifted, throw in some tunes and see how you feel. The important thing is to not do anything you will later come to regret. If by chance situations do not comfortably allow you to entertain this hobby anymore, than do what must be done. Audio gear will always be here when you're ready.

[BaggedLancer]

Buy yourself a turntable and start spinning some vinyl.....then you can feel the vinyl peoples pain and tell us how you really feel. :D

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd234/BaggedLancer/reallyfeal.jpg

[Kex]

Wow, that is really insightful. I never thought of it that way. ...
Thanks for the vote of confidence appadv!
... I am a "music lover" at heart and think that a day without music is a mistake.
My sentiment exactly.

[treitz3]

Or I can sell all my gear and get a Bose Wave Radio and still be happy.
Whoa!!! Hold on there young whippersnapper. You want to quit, quit. Man please don't ever let me hear you say those words again. It shot a spear straight thru my heart. :eek:

Seriously, whatever you want to do is fine with all of us as it is your life, your decision and all that jazz. That said, when I had a stereo system ripped off when I was about your age [many thousands of moons ago] I said the same thing. Screw it. I'm out.

I was so devastated because I had spent three or four summers mowing an ungodly amount of lawns and working anywhere I could to build this system up. Depression quickly gave way to just flat out missing good sound [which admittedly sounded like crap compared to today's rig]. Point being is I missed good sound enough to overcome my feelings of wanting out and quitting and I couldn't imagine ever going without HI-FI sound. Twenty years later, I am head over heels involved in my audio journey and I'm enjoying every blissful moment of it.

My point is that back then I wanted to quit because I was without a system and had to start all over again for what I had already worked so hard to get. If you sell your system and then you get the bug for great sound again, you will have put a dent in your audio journey and you will have placed yourself [by your choice] in the same position I was in back then. I didn't have a choice. It was already gone. ;)

[Demiurge]

I really hate when people call enjoying good sound a hobby. I get tinkering with your gear, that's a hobby, but good sound isn't something you should have to sacrifice.

Don't let a piece of gear take away from your enjoyment of good sound. The people that are never satisfied with what they have are just on the other end of that spectrum. They're too concerned with the gear to ever truly enjoy what they have. To each their own, but I like to listen to music and watch movies and I bought my system to enhance that experience.

Maybe try enjoying what you have. Besides, you'll never get anywhere near what you paid for it and you'll lose a good sounding system.

So, unless you need to get rid of it, keep it. :)

[appadv]

Just wanted to say -

I like to listen to music and watch movies. It is an experience that cannot be described in words.

[Face]

Just wanted to say -

I like to listen to music and watch movies. It is an experience that cannot be described in words.
So why are you selling your shit?

[appadv]

Did you read the entire thread? ;)

[Face]

Did you read the entire thread? ;)
Don't make me drive over to ******** to smack some sense into you boy. :D

[BaggedLancer]

You should unless your birds after appadv, they'll teach him to wanna sell his gear.

Seriously dude, if the projector is causing this grief....sell the damn thing. Better yet, buy those two for $800, fix 2 of them, and sell them both.....don't keep either. Then buy yourself some 2ch gear and enjoy!

[Kex]

Don't make me drive over to ... to smack some sense into you boy. :D
Get in the car Face! We can't take any chances!

[tonyb]

Sleep on it,alot of us have been scammed in the past,maybe not to the extent of your situation,but you move on,lesson learned.Yeah,it's a tough pill to swallow,but years from now,you'll look back,laugh,and wish that was the only problem in your life.If you sell your gear,you'll miss it.Might be good therapy though.You can always start anew.As good old Bob Seger said," Rock n Roll never forgets ".

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Im not going to sell any of my gear... for a LONG time

And Im sticking to that

Cheer up, turn on some tunes and relax

[danger boy]

here you go. this will all make sense now... :)

[mrbigbluelight]

Listen to the cat, appdv ..... listen to the cat .......





....and remember. Sometimes life sucks, and sometimes life is like a 20 ton weight, crushing down on you like a grape in a wine press. At other times, it's bone-numbing and soul crushing at the same time, but occasionaly life only bites the big one just a little, without entirely sucking out the life forces within you. Of course, those times are few and far between, but they happen often enough to allow you to stagger from one mind-numbing misadventure to the other, grasping desparately to the scant hope that things might possibly get slightly more tolerable at some unknown point in the distant future but knowing, from experience, that there isn't a snowball's chance in hell of that ever happening.

So, see ...... it's all good !

:)


you know ... those Dale Carnegie courses are really starting to pay off


So sit back, relax, and enjoy some tunes.
Everything else is fleeting, but good tunes is good tunes.

[Lasareath]

Where does this guy live that you bought the projector from, send me his info, After I get done with him he will be begging you to take his money.

Sal

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I call dibs on my BP10B

[dorokusai]

Sell it all.

or realize....

Bad deals happen, nature of the beast, get over it.

Take a break, come back when you feel like it.

[obieone]

Where does this guy live that you bought the projector from, send me his info, After I get done with him he will be begging you to take his money.

Sal

I didn't know Tony Soprano was a member here. COOL!:eek::D

[m00npie]

Alex, I met you and your Dad for about 3 hours. Now you can't tell much in that time but you can get an idea of who someone is. Here's the way I see it. Your Dad is super cool; you’re in a good college getting a great degree.

If the main reason for selling is because this hobby is preventing you, or jeopardizing you from getting your degree, then I say sell it immediately. You will never get these 4 years back and if you think getting screwed on one piece of gear is bad, wait until you get into the working world, own a house and have kids one day. You’ll often think about how easy your life is right now and how silly this projector incident really is.

I’m not saying that this incident shouldn’t piss you off now; I would be pissed getting screwed out of $100.00. I’m just saying school should be your #1 priority and take the advice that many people have stated already. Before making any irrational decisions, it’s always best to walk away from the situation as long as possible, and then return to it with a clear head. Besides, someone already mentioned, you won’t get back nearly what you paid for it so keep it if money\school is not an issue.

I expect to see you next week at polrbehr’s house but you should leave your girlfriend at home since Face can’t stop talking about her :D

[Early B.]

Sell everything and buy a whole new system. Once you're done, you'll forget you ever considered moving away from audio.

Seriously, at this point, you couldn't sell your stuff even if you tried. We have successfully taken you into audio's inner sanctum, and once you're in, you can never leave.

No refunds on fun, dude.

[cubdog]

Sell it. Then get a T amp and some Monitor 7s and start enjoying some music.

cubdog

[Bill Ayotte]

Sell it all.

or realize....

Bad deals happen, nature of the beast, get over it.

Take a break, come back when you feel like it.

Exactly. I took a break for a while, drank excessively, listened to the gear I had, then kinda trotted back in here and spent a WHOLE lot more $$ on new(er) gear recently....I had a lot personal shit going on, like almost becoming homeless, but either way........Take a break, enjoy what you have, and just keep on truckin'....If I had sold all of my gear I would be in a completely different place now, I really loved sitting down and listening after one of my many shitacular days over the last six months.....Put the broke dick projector in the closet, and don't touch it for a couple of months. You'll come back to it later with a better mindset, and a fresh perspective.

[Shizelbs]

I say sleep on it and take a break for a while then decide.

[RuSsMaN]

Don't liquidate it all, if anything, just simplify. I've had to do it for financial reasons recently - and I've found myself enjoying audio more than I have in long time.

Cheers,
Russ

[Polk addict]

Oh comon!! I'm living with $40 bucks of crap I like to call my speaker system. Please!!

Just take a little time away from your rig and then you'll see that once you get rid of your stuff, It'll be gone. Right now, I'm feeling the same thing, I was going to sell my comp speaks for $80. But once it's gone, it's gone and it's gonna take a lot to buy back what I already have: two speakers and a sub. I don't have a job at 16 and nobody is really going to trust me with work...

Just stick it out!!

[DarqueKnight]

Nope. But I will say, I have no problem watching a 13" Zenith TV.


Or I can sell all my gear and get a Bose Wave Radio and still be happy.

Just box everything up and store your gear away for a while. If you really don't miss it, sell everything and move on. If you start having withdrawal pains you can just set it all up again.

[Rivrrat]

I can do without most of the stuff I have, at least for a while, but I can't do without decent sound. I don't constantly swap gear, and I don't consider this a hobby, it's part of what I enjoy in life.

I'd have a hard time imagining anyone here not having at least a bare bones, decent sounding system.

[shack]

I've often found that stuff I thought would be better really isn't or it doesnt live up to my expectations, so my advice to you...QUIT UPGRADING (or even thinking about upgrading)...sit back when you have the time and enjoy your stuff.

[madmax]

Unless you need the money just let it sit there until you want to play with it some more.
madmax

[appadv]

Wow, a lot of your responses were very insightful.

I haven't made up my mind yet -

It's just this terrible feeling I have lingering in my mind, knowing that I was scammed well over $1,000 and I can't do anything about it.

But thanks, this goes to show how wonderful Club Polk is. No matter whatever path I decide to choose, I will always remember this forum.

[wingnut4772]

Im not going to sell any of my gear... for a LONG time

And Im sticking to that

Cheer up, turn on some tunes and relax

um...I believe you. No. Really.I do.:p

[obieone]

I, too am thinking of selling my stuff off. I don't know....I've got a 5.1 system, and I don't even rent movies....because hollywood is more interested in preaching their 'enlightened' views than entertaining us. I've upgraded from RM10 2 years ago, to Monitor 30's 1.5 years ago, and then upgraded the fronts to Monitor 60's.
I just may sell it all off and start over; LSi15's, an amp,....

[appadv]

I, too am thinking of selling my stuff off. I don't know....I've got a 5.1 system, and I don't even rent movies....because hollywood is more interested in preaching their 'enlightened' views than entertaining us. I've upgraded from RM10 2 years ago, to Monitor 30's 1.5 years ago, and then upgraded the fronts to Monitor 60's.
I just may sell it all off and start over; LSi15's, an amp,....

I'm considering selling all my stuff for good. And then take that money and just put it in the bank :)

[danger boy]

once your gear is gone or sold.... trust me.. you'll want it back.. that's when it makes it tough get more gear...

[treitz3]

It's just this terrible feeling I have lingering in my mind, knowing that I was scammed well over $1,000 and I can't do anything about it.
Actually I had an epiphany today at work. I recently sold a big screen TV to a friend of mine. Since he didn't have a truck I told him that I would deliver it for him, so we go over to John's house [on loan] and pick the 25 ton TV up. OK, I exaggerated. It was heavy though.

Now, we are cruising down the highway listening to some tunes...chillin' and all is well. Then I hear something hit the back of my truck. "WTF!!!" I yelled as I'm seeing debris fly every which direction including into the cars traveling behind me. Not knowing what just happened, I pull over.

Long story short, between the cold and the speed, apparently that's all it took to take the lens assembly and completely shatter the outer layer. That's what was the debris. Nothing actually hit the truck, it was the lens smacking around in the back of the truck bed.

The reason I am telling you this is because this was about a [new] $4,200.00 TV that I sold to him for $200.00 'cause I didn't have room for it in the TH and the WAF just wasn't there [she's an interior designer...."it's too big" :rolleyes:] anyway, he got hooked up with a steal of a deal and figured that the outer layer of a 60" lens was 80 bucks or so. Not so.

They are apparently sold as a package and the cheapest one he could get delivered to his house was close to $680.00. My point? Sell the lens separate from the TV and part the thing out. Throw the chassis away and take the working components out, throw them on E-bay, Craigslist, local newspapers, whatever. If you wanted a board that cost $1500.00 to replace and someone else wants another board you have that costs $800.00.....................

Are you following me? Just a thought to help recoup the cost, calm your folks down and get $$$ back into your wallet. The lens assembly? just take a look at how much just THAT part is going for. That's all I'm gonna say about it. ;)

[danger boy]

life often times hands you lemons.... and shit happens.. and the check is in the mail..

big lesson learned the hard way appadv.. but it's not the end of the world.. sell off the parts as treitz3 said... there is bound to be someone in need of parts from that projector.

move forward and go on with your life. it's not the end of the world. it sucks because it was a big amount of money.. but things have a way of turning around... do you think someone like Russ or Doro or F1Nut, etc haven't had some deals go bad at some point? I don't know anyone in this hobby who hasn't had at least one transaction go bad..

anyway.. enough pep talk what you do from here forward will say a lot about your happiness over this whole projector mishap. You can either put it behind you or dwell on it and be miserable. the choice is your's

[cfrizz]

Take a look at your system, & I will bet that there is a lot more invested there than what the projector cost. (and all of it works!) You will probably never recoup your original cost & once you sell it, that's it its gone & then you would have to start from scratch again, once you get over this disappointment. (and you will!)

Stuff like this happens to all of us. Chalk it up to a learning experience & move on. But there is no need to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Sell off the parts as suggested, get something else or just leave it be for a while & get on with your life.

One day you will want to hear some tunes on a decent system & there yours will be just waiting for you to turn it on.

[BaggedLancer]

When life deals you lemons, make lemonade.

When life deals you vodka, then have a party!


Keep looking for that vodka!

[appadv]

Okay, I have an idea -

Like I mentioned in the other thread, I'm thinking of fixing the projector I got scammed on and then enjoy it. It's the "missing link" in my setup and without it, I won't be able to enjoy my movies. However, I need to spend some money to get that projector working, and I'm planning on buying the following parts machines:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Sony-VPH-G70-CRT-Projectors-Pick-up-only-NO-SHIPPING_W0QQitemZ140201768590QQihZ004QQcategoryZ3 2862QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

The only problem is that (a) they are 190lbs each, which means two of them = close to 400lbs, (b) I'll need to fork over some cash to buy these parts machines, which will be tough, and (c) I don't have a means of transporting them, they won't fit in a small car. So I'm being held back due to these circumstances.

What would you guys suggest?

[BaggedLancer]

what kind of car do you drive that you can't get those 2 machines in it?

[appadv]

I just want to get this projector fixed so that I can enjoy my music and movies again. I just got back from listening to the rig, and I have to say, it is absolutely phenomenal. Music has become a part of my life.

I absolutely enjoy listening to music on the rig, and feel that as a music lover, it is essential. Now I am just missing a great picture. So, with that said, what do you guys think I should do?

[appadv]

what kind of car do you drive that you can't get those 2 machines in it?

2000 Nissan Maxima. Won't even fit one.

If I'm correct, your Infiniti G35 has a larger trunk than the Maxima?

[wingnut4772]

what kind of car do you drive that you can't get those 2 machines in it?

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2005-2/952497/57808928_75ff2000cd.jpg

[appadv]

Haha, it looks like two of these won't fit in a large SUV (like a Suburban)

This is a pic that I found online of someone moving their projector:

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/1203/g903aj.jpg

Apparently this guy could fit one projector in a big SUV but two? I don't know what will do the trick.

[appadv]

I'm just trying to figure out how in the world I will be able to get TWO of these projectors to fit in a Nissan Maxima :)

[appadv]

Does anyone here have a pickup truck or SUV large enough to carry these two beasts? And wouldn't mind a trip up to NY? I'll certainly pay for gas and reimburse you for all costs. Maybe we could schedule some kind of an audio meet in the area?

[BaggedLancer]

You have so much room to spare in there....im sure you could make it work with that truck. I bet i could get 2 of those in my infiniti if i tried.

[appadv]

You have so much room to spare in there....im sure you could make it work with that truck. I bet i could get 2 of those in my infiniti if i tried.

I don't have that truck. It's just a picture of someone's truck that I found online!

[BaggedLancer]

What do you drive.....1 in the backseat, one in the trunk. Or put both on the backseat and use the seatbelt to hold them. Would be the same as having one fat person in your backseat.....your car can take the abuse!

[appadv]

What do you drive.....1 in the backseat, one in the trunk. Or put both on the backseat and use the seatbelt to hold them. Would be the same as having one fat person in your backseat.....your car can take the abuse!

I don't know about your Infiniti, but those two definitely won't fit in a Nissan Maxima!!

[appadv]

BL,

What kind of pickup truck do you have?

[BaggedLancer]

Chevy 1500 full size with an 8 foot bed and unfortunately/fortunately it wouldn't make the trip to NY unless I pulled it myself.

[appadv]

What's wrong with the truck?

[BaggedLancer]

More like what isn't wrong with it. Transmission issues, belt issues, two tires have nails in them with the heads broken off, it squeals worse than some pigs. I think it's been about 8k miles give or take from the last oil change. Thing is a crapper.

[appadv]

Ah, I see. So do you have some tips on getting these two projectors into a mid-sized car? I don't want to put one on the roof and have another dangling out of the trunk!

[BaggedLancer]

Take the back seat out, stand them upright and tie them in!

[wingnut4772]

Ah, I see. So do you have some tips on getting these two projectors into a mid-sized car? I don't want to put one on the roof and have another dangling out of the trunk!

Box one up nice and tie it really securely on the roof. Why not?

[dorokusai]

The auto excuse is lame and not based in reality. They fit in a Maxima, period.

Sell them and move on with your life.

If you haven't found enough patriots to bugle your "problem", I'm not sure what your trying to do...convince yourself otherwise?

[appadv]

Take the back seat out, stand them upright and tie them in!

You do realize that these are bigger than a pair of SDA2's, right?

[appadv]

The auto excuse is lame and not based in reality. They fit in a Maxima, period.

Sell them and move on with your life.

If you haven't found enough patriots to bugle your "problem", I'm not sure what your trying to do...convince yourself otherwise?

Trust me, I've had enough difficulty trying to fit things in that car. When I went to the seller to see the projectors in person, he even said that they would not fit! And that's AFTER looking at the trunk and interior space :)

[wingnut4772]

Ok. Maybe if you got a roll of duct tape, some rollerskates and a pack mule....?

[dorokusai]

Trust me, I've had enough difficulty trying to fit things in that car. When I went to the seller to see the projectors in person, he even said that they would not fit! And that's AFTER looking at the trunk and interior space :)

I don't believe that but good luck.

[appadv]

I don't believe that but good luck.

No kidding, the seller said "good luck with that" and that I'll need something bigger.

[zingo]

The reason I started into the hobby is because I love music. I figured that the best hobby would be one that already feeds my loves. I understand wanting to get out, but just make sure you consider your intentions.

[BaggedLancer]

If there is a will there is a way to get those things home.

I agree with Doro, Not fitting into a car really isn't a valid reason. Borrow a car, borrow a trailer, steal a car, steal a trailer, pay one of those "Craigslist Delivery Services" that charge by the hour or distance traveled....etc.

[wingnut4772]

U haul is pretty cheap.

[appadv]

If there is a will there is a way to get those things home.

I agree with Doro, Not fitting into a car really isn't a valid reason. Borrow a car, borrow a trailer, steal a car, steal a trailer, pay one of those "Craigslist Delivery Services" that charge by the hour or distance traveled....etc.

Well, that's only one of the issues. Being able to spend more money on parts machines is tough. And then there is a chance that I may not be successful in fixing them and/or parting them out. So it's not just the fitting into the car, there are other reasons.

[polrbehr]

Try answering your PMs. You may discover someone in your own backyard (so to speak)
has a pickup, and a couple of friends willing to help out a fellow Polkie; you can always ask Lasareath how he got those 10s. :)

But hey, since "there are other reasons", it's all good. ;)

[appadv]

Let me guess, Face has both a Corvette and a pickup? Cool!

[Face]

Not I. Plus I couldn't help you lift anything at the moment.

[appadv]

Sorry to hear that, I hope your back gets better.

Get well soon!

[steveinaz]

Get back to enjoying the music--don't get caught up in the "upgrade hype" it's seriously overrated.

This why I stay 2-channel. It's basic, it works, and most of all--I ENJOY it. More than many around here can say. I haven't bought a piece of audio gear in over 2 years. My Energy C-9's were my last purchase.