What makes this hobby so addictive?

[CCNJ]

First off, I have enjoyed music all my life...from listening to LPs on my first stereo, to cruising in cars with friends listening to to 8 tracks (showing my age), to first concerts, etc. There is something special about good music that allows us to forget life's daily grind and just get lost in the music. Listening the Dave Matthews right now and it sounds pretty freakin good!

All that aside, what makes us want to constantly pursue changes to our gear? Even when I am happy, I always question can it sound better, different, etc. Is it something about a connection to our past, boredom, human nature, etc.

Do you ever question what drives your audio decisions or do you just go with the flow? All I can say is I am very gratefully that I have an understanding wife that does not question my need to upgrade!!!!

[hochpt21]

I'm still early on, but I feel like I toe the line pretty good about wanting to try new gear, but also being able to enjoy music on whatever I hear it on.

Currently in heaven with a few new component upgrades, though so don't rain on my parade

[CCNJ]

You've got some nice gear there there so you should be in heaven! Enjoy.

[hochpt21]

You've got some nice gear there

No, you do

To your original point. I've always been one to dive into new hobbies pretty hard. Some of those hobbies are a phase and some stick.(i.e. 1950's bulova watch that I researched for almost a year...now it doesn't work and I don't wear it)

Audio, however, seems to provide a bigger return on investment than most other hobbies. Music makes you feel...and music reproduced better allows you to feel even more. IMO anyway.

Then it seems to be like a drug. Once you get used to the awesome sound of your new gear...you want to see what you can do to feel it even more and better.

[zarrdoss]

For me this has been a journey since I was 10 and not a particular destination, as it is for most of us I would assume. Its always driven by the "what if factor" thats what makes it so addictive for me. I have been on a two year hiatus but am getting back into it but wont do any upgrades or experimenting for a while yet still.

[CCNJ]

music reproduced better allows you to feel even more. IMO anyway.

Couldn't agree more. I get really frustrated with good songs that are poorly recorded.

[CCNJ]

For me this has been a journey...and not a particular destination

Agree.

[specd_out]

I dunno what causes it. But I have been bitten bad lately. I have upgraded all my IC to King Cobras, spiked some of my equipment, Purchased and refinished my lsi's, polished out my a5's played with sub tuning, got a spl meter and played with my HT calibration, started getting into flac and needle drops, created my listening room, and my most recent project is building acoustic panels because the acoustics in my new room sucks.

What I do love about it is how sometimes the smallest and cheapest changes can make the biggest difference. I am always in search of finding that difference and when I do. I get so excited that I have to listen to all my favorite music all over again.

[Toolfan66]

Because cocain is more expensive and they tell be its bad for my health. I need something to keep the devil inside busy..

[mantis]

Music is a part of my family for generations. Polk is a part of my family for Generations. I come from a family of musicians.
This hobby and in my case career , is my passion. I'm addicted to it as I just can't get enough. Many who have jobs the last thing they want to do when they come home is do anything that has anything to do with it. Mechanic's don't want to come home and work on their car , Electricians don't want to come home and work on the electrical system , Plumbers don't want to come home and fix the pipes etc , but I do. When I'm bored ,I'll pull out all my gear , clean all my shelves and re arrange it just so it looks different. I'm always thinking about the next move.

I've always loved electronics , even when I was a kid I would take apart anything electronic just to see what was inside.

[tonyb]

Chicks man....chicks.

Chicks dig me and my big speakers.

[Willow]

The smell of new gear!

[zingo]

Chicks man....chicks.

Chicks dig me and my big speakers.

Agreed; I'm in it for the chicks.

[hochpt21]

Because cocain is more expensive and they tell be its bad for my health. I need something to keep the devil inside busy..

Ha...truth.

[zingo]

Because cocain is more expensive..

Which equipment are you using?!?

[Msabot1]

From LP's to eight tracks to now and the future...evolution dude...evolution !

[Tornado Red]

Nice thread CCNJ. Perhaps it’s partly because (I’ll just speak for me here) I’m obsessive/compulsive about things I’m “into”, this applies to work as well for me. I’ve always liked the music/video marriage since 1974 when I soldered a second speaker to my 20” Electrohome. Today I collect concert blu-rays, an extension of how I felt all those years ago. I think most people are into whatever hobby they enjoy for the “reward”. I like what hoch said, this one makes you “feel”. That means to me that the reward is an emotional one. It gets under your skin and won’t let go, it becomes part of your character makeup. New gear pushes that feeling forward, at least in me. New stuff to play on that gear too. I recently started collecting SACDs and check my mailbox gleefully everyday to see if the next one has arrived. Next month, a new AVR. It never ends, you buy something new, and the next weak link is exposed. And I know it. Did I mention I’m obsessive/compulsive already?

[drselect]

All that aside, what makes us want to constantly pursue changes to our gear? Even when I am happy, I always question can it sound better, different, etc. Is it something about a connection to our past, boredom, human nature, etc.

Club Polk.

[rromeo923]

I have always loved music and always will. However, I went through most of my life happy as can be with low-fi, mid-fi equipment. Then a few years ago I bought a pair of Polk Monitor 7's. I was interested in there history and found this forum. Then I found out about SDA's and then upgrades and mods etc. Then I had to have a decent amp to push the SDA's. Then I found out about tubes. Anyway I went a little crazy and at one point I had about 15 pairs of speakers and a few amps, preamps etc. I am finally at a point where I am pretty happy with my set up and and can just listen to music for the sake of enjoying the music. I am sure my set up will change slightly down the road but for now my case of Upgraditis is in remission. What a fun ride it has been. Thank you POLK Audio and Polk Forum!!

[polrbehr]

Sitting in my chair listening to Brothers In Arms SACD does it for me.

[pitdogg2]

Because cocaine is more expensive.I need something to keep the devil inside busy..

Isn't that the truth.

[Moose68Bash]

1. DarqueKnight's write-ups about how to improve the sound of your system.
2. Similar write-ups by others on the Forum who communicate their experimentation and results, as well as offer generous advice to other who wan to follow in their footsteps.
3. Trey at Vr3 Mods, who will do excellent work at a reasonable price for those of us who do not have the skills and knowledge to do our own mods.

Oh, yes, there is the addictive nature of hearing things get better and better with each incremental mod or improvement!

[cnh]

I have a slightly different take on this since I'm "really" not looking for some perfect sounding or Holy Grail system or forever upgrading to what? I do change out gear, buy new speakers and amps, etc., but mostly because I'm curious about the "differences". It's kinda like putting on different clothes for different occasions, or changing styles over the years.

I like "variety". Heck, currently, one of my most listened to systems is NOT even the "best" I have but it just sounds right most of the time (HK 430 and Dynaco A25 and a cheap ass single player Sony CDP from the mid nineties that has NO right to sound this good. Bought for 9 bucks!).

When I feel like some tubes, I fire those up. When I want to listen to an old LP so that it reminds me of what I heard in the '70s, it's the old Realistic system that gets called up. lol

High end? The Ultimate! The Best! All "relative" terms, highly subjective and filled with nostalgic memories for anyone older! Yet I appreciate every system I heard at PolkFests and at fellow Polkie's houses. Often eye opening as well as ear opening. Hey, in the end, it's a hobby, remember those, as a kid? Collecting things and enjoying them?

I have pieces that some would consider "junk" and others that are respectable. Do I care? Not really, because it's all "different", and that's the "word"!

cnh

[cstmar01]

Chicks man....chicks.

Chicks dig me and my big speakers.

Tony can you tell me what system you have put together that brings these chicks as I have yet to see one....


Always have loved music and grew up playing it. Just wanted to get music to sound like the real thing and started small and now have what I have and always want to try something new. Everything sounds different so enjoying that makes it fun. Also when doing work at home or studying I always have music going on in the background. Just something I've done since a young age and want to make sure I enjoy it to the max!

[gudnoyez]

I blame club Polk bought my RTiA5's and A'3s and the rest of my Polk HT gear. I joined after registering my stuff heard about the SDA'S, since joining have added 3 pairs of SDA's to the speaker collection a couple of Adcom Amps and Pre Amps. They were not kidding when the members said welcome to the Forum, be prepared to open the wallet and enter the Rabbit Hole. I love SDA'S and most of my other speakers are currently being neglected.

[DSkip]

Every beneficial upgrade lets you rediscover your music. Even if it's just a different sound, its a new experience each time.