[rosconey]

how often do get the itch
and what item seems to get replaced the most-speakers ,pre,amp ect

[cjr888]

Least changes = speakers -- just a size, space aspect.

Probably change amplifiers the most if anything, but its not necessarily an upgrade thing more than a curiosity thing.  It may be better, it may be not, but my system changes tend to not always be a linear, 'better' sort of path, but a want to try difference perspectives, even with known shortcomings.

For example, if I loved a manufacturer's middle of the road amplifier or speaker, and knew that there was another step up, there would be a part of me that would want to try 'better', and there's a part of me that trying something totally different, from a totally different philosophy is just as interesting to do....

[Marbles]

You need an option for "all the time"

What ever my weakest component is, that's what I want to upgrade.

Since I like my major components and speaker wire, now I'm tweaking the room treatments and IC's to dial in my system better..

What I want to upgrade is a DVD player, to like the Onkyo 1000, and my HT pre/pro, but I am holding off for at least a year on those because of Blu-Ray/DVD-HD.

[Captain Humble]

What I want to upgrade is a DVD player, to like the Onkyo 1000, and my HT pre/pro, but I am holding off for at least a year on those because of Blu-Ray/DVD-HD.

Gee thanks Marbles.
I was going to answer absoultely no urge to upgrade except for maybe my amps.  But now, thanks to you, I want at least 2 Blu-Ray/DVD-HD (whatever that is).      

Oh, I might like one of those fancy turntables as well. While I'm in the spending mode a live in servant to flip the LP for me so I can drink heavily would be very nice.

Jeff

[_scotty_]

Due to a lack of money my upgrades have to take the form of  something I can build or modify rather than something I can buy. As I am very happy
with current sound of my system my most recent project involves modifying an Adcom GDA-700 to take advantage of the potential of the 1702 DACs and the PMD100 filter for excellent Redbook reproduction.  Scotty

[doug s.]

the only thing i ever wanna upgrade is speakers, which is a pretty-much constant desire.  i guess this is cuz these seem to impact the final sonics to a much larger degree than other gear.   re: the other gear, tho, i'm like cjr888 - it's not that i wanna upgrade, but i'm curious how other stuff mite sound...

doug s.

[AKSA]

Doug,

Amplifiers make at least as much difference to the sound as speakers, and the results can be spectacular since most of the distortion introduced by amps are particularly nasty.

Cheers,

Hugh

[NotoriousBIG_PJ]

You need an option for "all the time"

What ever my weakest component is, that's what I want to upgrade.

I'm the same way. Except now I don't know what the weakest link is, and this is definetly a good thing.  

Biggie.

[bob82274]

What about: All the time and never.  I almost have to force myself not to think about upgrading my components.  If I did I would be out window shopping all of the time.  Sadly I have to remind myself that while I am in school I cannot purchase any new stereo gear.  I have gone 2 years so far (I broke the rule my first year of school). Even worse is that school will be going on for many more years.  I finish my BS in a year but I decide to subject myself to more school and my bankacount from money.

But unfortunately I have found other ways to fill the void.  My CD and DVD collections have grown by leaps and bounds.  Today was particulaly bad as 9 new movies were added to the collection.  If the RIAA were to ever realize that their CDs are still to costly and lowered the prices accordingly I would be coming home with just a huge amount of albums.  

If my DVD player ever gives out (which I think it will) I am screwed because I know that I will do everything in my power to get a Denon.  Stupid hobby.

[doug s.]

Doug,

Amplifiers make at least as much difference to the sound as speakers, and the results can be spectacular since most of the distortion introduced by amps are particularly nasty.

Cheers,

Hugh

hi hugh,

well, i have been *trying* quite a few different amps lately, & while i do agree they make a difference, i must disagree as to how much.  speakers are way ahead, imo.  so to, imo, are preamps, falling somewhere between the amps & speakers.

regards,

doug s.

[meilankev]

Rosconey,

You didn't offer my answer as a choice:

     Never

I only buy new stuff when my current gear gives out.  I wouldn't call that "upgrade-itis".

Kevin

[tkp]

I must say for me it started to become rarely.  I just upgraded my speakers to the Incredarray.  The main reason for this upgrade is to match the rest of my components which I spent quite a bit of time for the last 9 years to pick them out.  When I first started, I upgraded some thing in my setup every six months.  After a few years of chasing/upgrading I realized that unless I have some technical knowlege as to why a piece would worth upgrading, I will never be able to get to what I call optimal cost/value/WAF setup.  I slowly narrow my choices over the year and finally I think I get the last piece of puzzle which will keep me happy for quite some time.  

The disturbing things about all this is that in the end, virtually all the pieces I ended up retaining had some kinda mod in them mostly by me and/or some thing I ended up building from kit (the Incredarray is a very good example).  One thing really disappointing even with expensive piece is the quality control is really subpar and most of the time corners were cut during the assembling of the products.  I do considered myself some what a detailed oriented person and this has to do with what I do for a living.  Only three out of many manufacturers of the audio gears I have owned for the past 9 years has met my expectation for quality control and workmanship.

I have made a promise to myself that if I could put some thing together from a kit I will do it because I am convinced that no one can do a more thorough job at putting my gears together than I can.

[Marbles]

I have made a promise to myself that if I could put some thing together from a kit I will do it because I am convinced that no one can do a more thorough job at putting my gears together than I can....

I agree with this...so far I have talked TKP into putting two things together for me, one is my Bent pre-amp.

The trouble is talking TKP into doing these "kits"      

[Inscrutable]

how often do get the itch

Itching and scratching are very different.  I have a low-level itch all the time, but only scratch it once or twice a year (recent past being the exception).  Perversely, I am more sensitive to the itch when I am reading (forums, mags) than when I am listening.   Go figure