Box swappers - misunderstood.

astrotoy said:
A guy comes home very late at night, smelling of alcohol. His wife asks, "Where have you been?" The man replies, "I was with my mistress, drinking and having passionate sex." His wife says, "Don't give me that. You were over at Jim's house listening to the new pair of speakers he just got."
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:D
 
Kt77 said:
No disrespect intended, but weren't you the one talking as if someone was jealous because of what some can afford, while others can't?
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Guys, I've been watching and reading for a while; because things got a little heated...and the last thing I need right now, is more trouble ;)

But let me chime-in...because I think we're all on the same page, ideology-wise; and there's just some semantics going around.

When I echoed Mark's sentiments; about "jealousy", and being able to "afford" to swap...I tried to put a slightly different spin on it. However...I think it got lost.

One...I think Mark and I, both used "jealousy" (or I thought "envy" was a little softer); more in lieu of an explanation. We both opined...why would anyone get so worked-up, if it weren't...etc, etc. Two...there's a difference between being able to "pay", and being able to "afford"; and sometimes...often times...that difference, is simply a matter of priority.

Until recently, I was a DINK...with a wife who didn't begrudge me my toys. Now I'm a SINK, and at 47 (next week)...I won't be putting any little-ones through college; not in this lifetime.

Also...and maybe we (the swappers), should have been clear: I can't speak for everyone...but I buy used. Oh hell no...I couldn't swap like this, paying MSRP minus some nominal discount. You'd lose your shirts, and your pants! That's one of the reasons I buy used!

Don't get me wrong...I've bought quite a few things new as well; and when I feel ready to settle down, I'll be the first one to crack that seal. In the meantime...it's been a helluva ride.

Look...maybe it also comes from, your indoctrination to the hobby. Here's mine: I was an audiophile, at heart...from the time I was like 11! I'd read the catalogs and magazines...and look at shiny, mega-buck gear; and dream and lust. And as an adult, I always had a good bang-for-the-buck, mid-fi system; but it was only like 10 years ago...that I allowed myself to spend some serious dollars.

Well...I'm like a fat kid, finally let loose in the candy shoppe. What to try...the Audio Research I've always wanted...the Belles, those in the know like so much; Conrad-Johnson, the venerable Champagne-colored favorite? (see what I did there...lol). I know: why...not...try...them...ALL!

I know someone who broached the subject...I think it was Mike; was asking inquisitively...and not making an accusation. But nothing steams me more, than someone who tries to use my gear-swapping...as evidence I don't love music, as much as the guy who sits on his amp for 10 years.

I'll compare listening habits, to anyone's; and like my chances :)
 
New Rear Baffle mirror from Spatial

Yup
They heard the complaints and now full mirror acoustically inert rear panels to hide those hideous rear driver views. Spatial said prices will be announced hopefully at 2015 CES

Nick
 
Re: New Rear Baffle mirror from Spatial

veindoc said:
Yup
They heard the complaints and now full mirror acoustically inert rear panels to hide those hideous rear driver views. Spatial said prices will be announced hopefully at 2015 CES

Nick
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Spatial will offer panels to hide the rear drivers? I asked Clayton this question a week ago and he said "never".


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jaxwired said:
I can't speak for all audiophiles that run through a lot of gear, but in my case, a lot of gear has indeed spent short stints in my system. Just wanted to make one quick point about this because I think it's misunderstood. I don't buy gear to keep, I buy gear to audition. . . . .
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WOW! Doing that never crossed my mind.

I don't have the time or energy to spend my time listening to equipment. I would rather be listening to music.

I can't think of anything I like less than shopping--for anything--stereo equipment, houses, cars, furniture, etc., but I enjoy what I buy so I perform my due diligence and then I'm done. While shopping is "the journey," I have never enjoyed "the journey". I am a "get to where you are going and be done" kind of guy. If I get tired of where I am or develop a new requirement, I may, out of necessity, begin a new journey.
 
GaryProtein said:
WOW! Doing that never crossed my mind.

I don't have the time or energy to spend my time listening to equipment. I would rather be listening to music.

I can't think of anything I like less than shopping--for anything--stereo equipment, houses, cars, furniture, etc., but I enjoy what I buy so I perform my due diligence and then I'm done. While shopping is "the journey," I have never enjoyed "the journey". I am a "get to where you are going and be done" kind of guy. If I get tired of where I am or develop a new requirement, I may, out of necessity, begin a new journey.
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Very telling and great comment. Let's just say, we are different. :D
 
Without box swappers there may not be a high end audio industry or at least one as diversified and robust as there is today (see thread on "too many manufacturers").....did we ever think of that?



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A
Mike said:
Without box swappers there may not be a high end audio industry or at least one as diversified and robust as there is today (see thread on "too many manufacturers").....did we ever think of that?



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Or Audiogon as much as people love to trash it.
 
Myles B. Astor said:
A

Or Audiogon as much as people love to trash it.
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Audiogon used to be a great site to buy and sell gear. Remember when it only cost $2 to post an ad and you got to keep all of the money? Let's face it, Audiogon is the still the 'best' site to buy and sell gear because they are the only real game in town outside of Ebay which is even worse. That's still not saying much. It's pretty much a monopoly that has you by the short hairs.
 
mep said:
Audiogon used to be a great site to buy and sell gear. Remember when it only cost $2 to post an ad and you got to keep all of the money? Let's face it, Audiogon is the still the 'best' site to buy and sell gear because they are the only real game in town outside of Ebay which is even worse. That's still not saying much. It's pretty much a monopoly that has you by the short hairs.
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That's the truth. What is the A'gon flat fee now? $20? And ebay...yikes. Between the new % based fees, listing fees and PayPal fees, you lose like 15% of the sale. In addition to depreciation, it makes rolling through gear pretty expensive.

I'm assuming that most gear rollers buy through Audiogon. Maybe that isn't correct. But buying new and selling to buy new again is a very very expensive proposition if one approaches the buying and selling of gear as a hobby in and of itself. Even if you have a huge amount of discretionary income, that might evaporate pretty quickly. Even if it didn't - and the participant has a vast fortune - this practice is so costly that it seems unlikely that anyone who is able to do it would do it as a matter of pure dollars and cents. Exceptions exist, I'm certain. Probably not enough to maintain a "healthy" high end.

Buying used takes the sting out a bit, but as mep says, it sure isn't as cheap as it used to be.

I'm not against swapping boxes. I did it and enjoyed it for a long time. I think most know me as a Shindo guy, but please don't take that to mean I don't like anything else. I just sold off my Magico / Rowland system that I used as a second system to fund Shindo improvements. I loved the Magicos and would own the brand again. Same with Rowland. I also enjoy and appreciate different approaches to getting high end sound. At this point in my life, however, with my once very young kids starting to get a bit older, my financial priorities lay elsewhere. I've found a hifi spot I'm good with and will direct swapping costs to college savings.
 
puroagave said:
you're not "different" just lucky, you somehow dodged the OCD gene. Never mind jax, remember he's in denial:lol:

besides that, we should all be so fortunate to own Infinity IRSes. If i did, id stop right then and there.
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Oh don't delude yourself-we all have it. ;) It's just the degree to which the gene is expressed.
 
How long do you need to keep a piece of gear before you can upgrade, and not be considered a 'box swapper'?

I have had my Shunyata Alpha Digital cable less than a year, but the new, higher level Sigma line is supposed to be a lot better.
 
BlueFox said:
How long do you need to keep a piece of gear before you can upgrade, and not be considered a 'box swapper'?

I have had my Shunyata Alpha Digital cable less than a year, but the new, higher level Sigma line is supposed to be a lot better.
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you've seen the Nike commercials "just do it":)
 
BlueFox said:
How long do you need to keep a piece of gear before you can upgrade, and not be considered a 'box swapper'?

I have had my Shunyata Alpha Digital cable less than a year, but the new, higher level Sigma line is supposed to be a lot better.
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But you'll have to wear a Scarlett 'S' for 'swapper', it's so humiliating....
 
BlueFox said:
How long do you need to keep a piece of gear before you can upgrade, and not be considered a 'box swapper'?

I have had my Shunyata Alpha Digital cable less than a year, but the new, higher level Sigma line is supposed to be a lot better.
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If you are a true box swapper, the time is measured in nanoseconds. :lol:
 
jaxwired said:
But you'll have to wear a Scarlett 'S' for 'swapper', it's so humiliating....
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That's pretty funny I must admit. Perhaps even funnier is if you had to wear the initials "BS" on your outer garments.
 
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