[Zero]

I have stumbled at a point many would refer to as a 'cross-road' in regards to what direction to take my ever changing system. I have worked myself into a situation to where I will be making a fairly significant decision within a matter of days and in true last minute fashion, I am looking to see what others would do in my situation.

Here's the spcheel; I have been in 'the game' for a few years now.  In that time I have gone through ridiculous amounts of equipment, much of it for my second (pc based) system. The reason is because I spend so much time behind the monitor and its where the largest collection of music resides.

Due to finances, I have had to off nearly all my good electronics leaving me with just a pair of bookshelf speakers I've had for about two months. Man, they are killer for the money and while there are some imperfections to them, they are just what the doctor ordered in many respects given the application. The problem? Money. Isn't that usually the issue?

There is a special story and deal I got for these speaks, and even with that said, my investment is 1g. Thats not bad. Whats bad is what it will take to really bring the potential out of these speakers. They love quality electronics and gobs of power. This is where things get expensive, and I have trouble bringing myself to justify spending *thousands* of dollars (that I dont have) to complete a secondary rig.  It also doesn't help when I have no major source of income at the moment and cannot project spending thousands for awhile. This puts me into a situation to where I would have to remain patient and enjoy maybe only 30% of the performance my current speakers can deliver for quite some time. Which leads me to;

The other alternative. This would entail selling off my monitors (I have a buyer now) and simply putting that money towards an integrated/monitor combo and call it a day. You know, something like a X-150 from MF and a pair of Totem Rainmakers...  or even a combo I had nearly two years ago, the Jolida JD1301 and the AX-Two's from Audio Note(uk). The positive side is that I would be attaining a pretty balanced system for not a whole lot of cash put down.

So, what would you do? Music is incredibly important to me, and it means a lot to own the speakers I do own (because I dont really have much else). I tell myself toys are just toys - they will always be there when I am ready. Yet the other side tells me that I've spent too much time and too much dinero to settle for less and to go back to where I've been before. It almost seems - defeating. I've created probably near a hundred seperate pro and con arguements with myself that I will not get into. I've droned on long enough, and besides, I am hoping others can offer insight and perhaps point out something I may have missed.

The decision is coming soon, and whatever I decide is going to be final. Thanks for reading!

[WerTicus]

i would build my own speakers and get something with 10x the performace for half the price.

[Rocket]

Hi A6M-Zero,

You already know what you should do   and like myself probably want confirmation to ease the guilt of another purchase.

To clarify matters is this a secondary system and you have a main system in anothre area?  What speakers do you currently have?  If money is an issue you should sell them and purchase a cheapy.

Regards

Rod

[Zero]

Wer,

Had I a design that would satisfy already planned / mapped out...and had I an interest in wood work, that would be a likely route. As it stands, I have heard some DIY projects including the famous Caow-1 from Dennis Murpheys mind. Good stuff to be sure. Unfortunately I am not in a position to lose cash - which is the risk you take with DIY when you try out even basic kits.

Rocket,

Actually - I have little clue as to what I should do. I keep changing my mind every-----half hour or so!      

Yes, this is a secondary system. I failed to mention that I have put my 'main' rig aside for a year. This is to help discipline myself and to focus money towards other necessities. All that rig consists of are the speakers. Its the 'secondary' system that receives all the day to day use and is thusly where I am focusing attention on.

Money - now theres an interesting situation.  I don't have much of it, but its not something that will be a common denominator (I hope). Money will come, eventually. I do not have many bills at the moment so that too is a major plus. Do I *need* the extra money? No, not really. But just thinking about the thousands I would eventually put into this system leaves a sour taste in the mouth. After all, besides toys, what else could 2g buy? A few good cheap vacations or one decent lavish one..., a "large" enough amount for investments, medical, and so on and on.

I also forgot to mention, the speakers in question are the Dynaudio Focus 110's!

[Rocket]

Hi,

Over the last 5 years i have spent a large chunk of money on audio gear, particularly amplifiers.  I'm upgrading my car and funnily enough it is the same price as my amplifier which i purchased last year   .

Not sure what to suggest to you because as usual it will cost you money.  

Regards

Rod

[WerTicus]

well if you had a decent proven design then its obviously a lot easier.

there is the orion which sounds fairly good.

and you could try this one out:  http://www.humblehomemadehifi.com/Soup.html

Dont see how you could go wrong, even if his design isnt perfect you could tweak the cross over.


go on
take a risk!

[Jampot]

Don't part with the speakers!

You will regret it over and over and over again - compromise on the amp for now.

Buy second hand, beg a loaner from someone, make do with fewer 'gobs of power' for a while -BUT DON'T SELL THE SPEAKERS!!!!

Tough call, I don't envy you, but wish you luck with it.

Jim

[skrivis]

Don't part with the speakers!

You will regret it over and over and over again - compromise on the amp for now.

Buy second hand, beg a loaner from someone, make do with fewer 'gobs of power' for a while -BUT DON'T SELL THE SPEAKERS!!!!

Tough call, I don't envy you, but wish you luck with it.

Jim

I think I'd agree. Speakers are the most important part. Grade A electronics will sound worse with Grade C speakers than Grade C electronics will sound with Grade A speakers (unless the speakers present some really weird load, in which case I'd argue they aren't really Grade A).

I'm a big fan of AVA electronics. You can get a really good amp and preamp from them for not much money. Maybe that would be a direction to look in.

In the meantime, keep the speakers you like and power them with a cheap receiver or something.

[woodsyi]

I don't get it.  I know we are a bunch of audio gearheads here but we do have to live life in the real world.  No matter how much you love your music, there are more important things in life.  For example, I would put food, lodging, all sorts of insurance, retirement plan, college fund for my child and a reserve fund for emergencies before I spend money on audio.  I equate fine audio gear with wine, beer and liquor -- it's a luxury; not a necessity.  You can have the necessary music with a $30 radio even though it's not good sound quality.  I can't believe you are contemplating about spending money on your SECOND unit when there is nothing coming in.  Sell your primary unit in hibernation and put that money in real investment for retirement.  Get the best bang for the buck set up for your PC audio and live with it until you have the expendable money.  It will be an incentive for you to make that money (which you say will eventually be there) sooner than later.  Just my two cents.

[TheChairGuy]

Ah A6M-ZERO, now I understand your situation better.  Your Khartago is much appreciated here and the offer from my earlier PM still stands.

Compounding is the 8th wonder of the world....put money aside now, as woodsyi indicated, and have plenty for the future.  It just grows and grows, even in the most secure and conservative of investments.

When I was 24 (19 years ago) I had to sell all my gear at that time due to financial crunch - and vowed never to be put in that position again.  

Financial debt seems to be a more willing option for many nowadays - eventually it will catch up with you - there are no freebies.  Debt is nothing more than future obligations/ IOU's, as it were.  Develope a savings plan now young in life - time (thru compunding) is what you have on your side right now.  

The 50/60/70 year olds that never did would probably tell you that   Time is not on their side - but it's still on yours if you're under 40. Audio really IS just a luxury - your financial future and good health are necessities.

[Zero]

Gentlemen,

Thank's for taking time out of your schedule to respond to this thread. It really does mean a lot!

Skrivis, Jampot,

I concur that a great speaker on alright electronics is more times than not, a better alternative than great electronics with 'alright' speakers.

Woodsyi,

I appreciate your well thought out response. I agree with almost every word you wrote. The only point worth mentioning is that I do not have a family to feed, have enough for food, insurance, and all that good stuff. My situation is fairly unique (blessed). This is less a matter of necessity and more a matter of discipline. The primary unit in the "main" system are a pair of Totem Acoustic Sttaf's, and those things are not going anywhere. Not in my life-time, if I can prevent it!

Chair,

You're a class-act man. Through and through. I am in no financial crunch. In fact, I have usually been fairly responsible with my funds, all the way up until the past two years or so until the audio bug bit me BAD. Thankfully, I am not in debt - but that is no reason for not playing in smart (which is a hard thing to do, hence the thread).  

All,

I have a potential buyer that has been flipping around for awhile now. If they commit I will consider it fate and sell em off and replace them with something good, but not quite as costly and demanding on electronics. Thanks for sharing your perspectives!