Canuck Audio Mart

For me it is sometimes difficult to say...

I often wonder if I suffer from OCD or Obsessive Compulsive Disorder...
Though this audio thing is my hobby..number one of many...I seem to take greater delight in trying to find the next component to add to my collection than to actually sit down and listen to music through any of it...

I have at least three very good systems,all of which incorporate tubes at some point in the amplification chain...but none of them is even set up for listening...
I have recently picked up a couple of nice tube preamps,one a vintage ARC and the other a very recent VAC..but they just sit there gathering dust while I watch the CAM ads for other interesting stuff..

What I must ask here is..AM I THE ONLY ONE???...

I have a good ear and know what I like but just can't seem to get back to listening..Its got to be me and not the equipment..I know it has to be OCD..

Heres the thing...when I have the means to acquire a component that is available for purchase,trade whatever,I will spend hours if not days obsessing about it,learning about it on the net,reading whatever I can find about it..often trying to justify the impending transaction...I decide that I want it,go pick it up get it home,put it on the shelf then it just sits there,sometimes for weeks before I actually hook it up...

Has to be OCD...Once I have the item,I am almost back on the hunt again..

No.I think I am crazy...BWAAHAHAHA BWAAHAHAHA

tubeornotube

Anybody else suffer like I do?

Nope.

Tube Buy some music to play on it lol D.R.

I obsess to a certain degree, but not to the level that you do, I don't think. I definitely wouldn't purchase a new piece and let it sit on a shelf for days without listening to it. I listen all the time. In fact I would have to say that I obsess over the sound of my system. I wish I could just sit back relax and listen to my gear without constantly analyzing the sound all the time. I can do this with other peoples systems, either at a store or a friends house, but not my own. It's not that I don't enjoy the sound of my system, at least for the most part,it's just I can't help thinking whether this upgrade, or that piece would possibly improve the sound. It sometimes makes me wonder if it might be time to get out of this hobby for awhile.

I have no shortage of music..Just picked up a few CDs and several albums this week..

I think we both have the same problem..I obsess about the sound,which is why I constantly make changes,then wonder later what the hell am I doing..

I think what it is,is I need to listen with fresh ears..Perhaps all the bombardment of noise in our environment is taking its toll and curtailing my desire to just sit and listen..

Maybe a good dose of long term silence will help..Like in a vacuum...tube

tubeornotube

I have that tendency too, but I don't suffer from it. I'm more amused by it.
I've always paid particular attention to my stereo (cabling, tweeking, gearing) and I did put alot of efforts, time and money in it. I made the choice of not owning a tv and music is basicly always playing in my appartment. I listen to it from the kitchen, from the balcony outside (gotta raise the volume a bit), from the bathroom. I actually rarely sit at the center position between my speakers. BUT, at some point during the day, a particularly god song randomly airs from the radio and I sit. I raise the volume and I sit. And when I do, I think to myself: «this is cool!». I wait untill the song ends, lower the volume and then I go back to whatever I was doing. These couple of minutes a day are totally worth the effort for me. This morning it was Gershwin's American in Paris from CBC radio2. I did sit for some Satie as well.

There's a difference?

I think I am 2 power cords and a DAC away from selling everthing, and starting all over again. Maybe its not the kill,Maybe its the thrill of the chase?

You should have had it as a poll. Some will not want to admit on an open forum that they are as messed up as you,
I can relate to you, although I don't obsess about my next component purchase, but I do obsess about how I can get more out of what I have. I have found there are many ways to improve my system without changing components, as I say that, I have to say I moved to another Dac + Transport, But the deal from a buddy was just to good to pass up.

I will mod + upgrade parts in my gear to get the most out of it before moving on for the most part and other ways to improve things.

I also obsess over tubes, although I'm not as bad as I once was, some might disagree with that.

hobsession

Aren't we all obsessed - I got 3 full systems, 10 turntables, a dozen carts, thousands of LPs, hundreds of cds.

I also have over a dozen vintage boomboxes.

Yep I'm obsessed. If I cannot get an hour or two in front of one of my turntables or the radio during the day, I'm a bear.

It only became an obsession with me because I couldn't get the sound just right. It has taken a few changes but now it is right. I just sit back and wallow in the music. I am so happy with my sound and can listen for 5 hours at a time without tiring of it. That's musical Nirvana for you.

Right now I don't see any need to listen to other systems.

And yet that Rita 880 amp of Mr. Acoustat's is calling me with its siren call ........................

Keith

Ktuuri

That's why I got rid of my tube amp - the Cary SLI 80.

Keith

I am also obsessed to some degree. I have 2 extra power amps that are being used to add mass to my stereo rack as the turntable I just bought weights 80 lbs. I have several preamps sitting in storage and 3 other turntables (one that is working in my bedroom system and 2 projects). I also have 4 separate systems. But it is all good, great fun and cheaper than a vacation (okay, maybe not).

And if I can find another Bedini 100/100 1 meg, I'm going to jump on it! (figuratively speaking).