Box swappers - misunderstood.

[KeithR]

there are as many valid approaches to system building as there are different listeners, and as we explain and defend our own approach others do the same with theirs.

another case is where the basic system and sonic preferences are not yet established, which them leads to 'box swapping' looking for combination that touches them. hopefully at some point the box swapping stops and the music focus happens.

you would think that over time one would move toward a clear reference and do less and less box swapping. although maybe as one marches up the price point ramp new rounds of box swapping might be in order.

I think your post has a lot of merit, Mike. the problem for most box swappers (and I was one back in the day) is that there is no system building strategy. once i started deriving that process, my box swapping went way, way down. for example, i'm never buying a speaker that can't be driven by a 75-watt tube amp.

one positive box swapping experience is that i understand the various amp topologies very well now. i think everyone should try a SET, PP tube, and Class A/B and A SS amplifier.

KeithR

 

[Petro85]

I think your post has a lot of merit, Mike. the problem for most box swappers (and I was one back in the day) is that there is no system building strategy. once i started deriving that process, my box swapping went way, way down. for example, i'm never buying a speaker that can't be driven by a 75-watt tube amp.

one positive box swapping experience is that i understand the various amp topologies very well now. i think everyone should try a SET, PP tube, and Class A/B and A SS amplifier.

KeithR

good point. different strokes......
for me a few years ago i was happy buying used amps for $2k and speakers for $2k then selling them for the same or near the same, it was easy. i changed pres, amps and speakers all the time on the used market. looking for keepers, and even selling some that i really liked just for the sake of change. but nowadays the gear swapping is slowing down because the gear i want is costing more and more. and it take awhile for me to save up to the next piece. basically now it costs me money, which im ok with. but just cant do it as much. love my table, love my amp, if i can find the right speakers i may turn into a hugger.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I think your post has a lot of merit, Mike. the problem for most box swappers (and I was one back in the day) is that there is no system building strategy. once i started deriving that process, my box swapping went way, way down. for example, i'm never buying a speaker that can't be driven by a 75-watt tube amp.

one positive box swapping experience is that i understand the various amp topologies very well now. i think everyone should try a SET, PP tube, and Class A/B and A SS amplifier.

KeithR

thanks Keith.

there is no right or wrong to any approach to system building. just like there is no right or wrong to music listened to in any format or thru any media.

it's important to realize that for some having no clear system building target is their actual system building strategy (at least for today). and nothing at all is wrong with that. and even G.A.S. (gear acquisition syndrome) is valid as a strategy.

whatever makes you happy is good with me.

sometimes we just sort of end up someplace without any prior plan or intent. we buy a little of this and a little of that. like tasting wines until we figure out what we like. our palletts need a bit of educating before our preferences immerge. before the effect of certain music or gear becomes clear we jump around.

some might judge this pathway of indecision as wrong, when really it's 'only wrong for those that judge'.

i'm agnosotic about anyone else's approach. but i'm happy to tell people about my approach....which is to go all the way to the end pursuing my reference and eliminate gear not in support of that vision.

 

[Zero]

You know, there's this assumption that 'box swappers' are focused more on the gear than on their music collections - which isn't (usually) true. A so-called 'box swapper' is just as capable of enjoying and growing their music collection as the guy whose owned the same gear for the past decade. The bottom line is that gear swapping and music listening are NOT mutually exclusive activities!

 

[mep]

You know, there's this assumption that 'box swappers' are focused more on the gear than on their music collections - which isn't (usually) true. A so-called 'box swapper' is just as capable of enjoying and growing their music collection as the guy whose owned the same gear for the past decade. The bottom line is that gear swapping and music listening are NOT mutually exclusive activities!

Where did the assumption come from? Has there been polls where box swappers admitted to having small music collections or are you assuming the assumption?

 

[Zero]

The general assumptions that I was referring to have been posted throughout this thread. Polls (or lackthereof) have nothing to do with it.