It all sounds the same

Mikado463 said:
Steve, thanks for stepping up to the plate and admitting to a well know 'subjective bias' that many audiophiles refuse to !
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Yeah Dave, I think we all have it. But, in the end, as you know, if we like it, we like it, bias or not. I've had someone in my listening room that heard the improvements in a cable before the music even started! Bias, indeed!
 
I have noticed, and thought about, this for some time. I have the same issue regardless of whether it is a tweak, or a component/speaker upgrade. I immediately hear the difference, so far categorize it as better, enjoy it for some time. Then I get used to it. LOL.

I know the system sounds better as I still enjoy it immensely, but that immediate rush is no longer there. This coincides with my hypothesis that this hobby is like drug use. You do something, get high, enjoy it, get used to it, and then look for something stronger. We are all addicts in one form or another. :)
 
BlueFox said:
I have noticed, and thought about, this for some time. I have the same issue regardless of whether it is a tweak, or a component/speaker upgrade. I immediately hear the difference, so far categorize it as better, enjoy it for some time. Then I get used to it. LOL.

I know the system sounds better as I still enjoy it immensely, but that immediate rush is no longer there. This coincides with my hypothesis that this hobby is like drug use. You do something, get high, enjoy it, get used to it, and then look for something stronger. We are all addicts in one form or another. :)
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Such strong condemnation. (meant in humor) But maybe true. I wonder if we actually release hormones, endorphins any such thing into our blood as we think about modifications and or apply them to our audio systems that would be similar to what a druggie experiences.
 
Funny thing. I bought a Mojo Audio Mystique V3 DAC. After breaking in for a couple weeks I got into a listening session, I was completely floored. Such an amazing piece of equipment. I have been appreciating the changes for a few days now. Every time I listen I hear what it is doing and it's really good. So, not all changes just float away and become same old, same old. I will have a real review in a week or so. Well, just my BS on what I hear. Some more Same Old.
 
Kingrex said:
Do you ever find that all the tweaks you do to extract better sound work. You get it a little better step by step. However after a day or so, it all sounds great, but you really don't notice the change you made the other day. Does that make sense. My stereo sound great. No complaints. However I can't stop myself from doing a little more to extract as much as possible. The efforts seem to pay off when I do some back and forth analysis, but after the dust settles I still have a great sounding setup. Nothing added, nothing lost. Kind of makes me wonder why I keep fiddling. I do find satisfaction, but at what cost. Some tweaks are not all the inexpensive.
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Come to think of it, yes - I do! I've been messing around with sound for quite some time, trying to get the most out of my (modest) HiFi system. But for a long, long time it all sounded the same, regardless of what & how I did it.

Here, take the platter mats for example. Some folks claim how the rubber platter mat sounds better than a felt one. And I'll be honest, my first impression confirmed this theory, but once I got used to the "new" sound I lost track of the changes. Keep saying how the bass is now heavier & highs reduced (because that was my initial impression), but TBH I'm not hearing any noticeable differences any longer *shrug*
 
I think we, particularly us subjectivists, get a new product and one of two issues can occur. We hear a difference and that difference is immediately interpreted as "better" or the difference is analyzed for some time and we make a decision whether or not it is truly better or just different..

Assuming it is indeed "better" or more enjoyable to the end-user, it now becomes our new benchmark. It kind of reminds me of the excitement of getting a new hot sports car. Personally, I in my younger years always drove them like crazy and using it everyday and found myself, eventually, just taking it for granted and it became just a "car". Taking a vacation, I would find, upon my return, would renew my enjoyment especially after renting a car.

The point I am trying to make is that sometimes the best thing you can do, is just take a vacation from your system when you find yourselves taking it for granted. For me, there is no better tweak or upgrade, then sometimes just ignoring my system for a few days or weeks.
 
Agreed!

Ironically though, the real (and most noticeable) change to the sound quality occurred when I least expected it. Which was completely opposite of all my time, effort & changes that I've done to my audio setup. But that's life, I suppose, always full of surprises :)
 
I take breaks, but usually because I burn myself out. Like when I run the stereo all weekend.

My DAC was so good it took a couple weeks to homogenize in my brain. I have a new pair of speakers coming. I ordered the pure audio project Trio 15 with the horn and upgraded cables. I'm pretty excited. I think that change will stick around as speakers are so much a voice to the gear.
 
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