Kevbaz
Active Member
Apologies first for the long post.
I have been into audio since college, even though my dad always involved me in his music.
I ignored my dads advice as a young man which was to build a separates system starting with the speakers. Instead when at college I bought a Technics Mini-system like all my friends did and it sounded poor compared to my dad and brothers systems based on components. looking back I think it was the B&W speakers they both had that really made the difference.
My dad and brother still have the same systems they had over 25 years ago and they still enjoy listening to them, only upgrading anything that broke.
I kept that mini system all the way through college along with my Sony Walkman and Sony headphones into early University.
It wasn't until I started at University studying Electrical and Electronic engineering that I got the "itch" to upgrade.
Since Uni and now into my later adulthood now 45 this year I have lost count of the number of CD/Record, Tape players, Amps, DACs, Speakers I have owned. Although early into University I moved away from speakers to headphones as I found I could get better sound for less money (important as a skint student). I got a Pair of Grado SR80 and stayed on those until 8 months ago (must be over 20 years old now) and recently upgraded to SR325e although not convinced I would call them an improvement.
I then in last 8 months "upgraded" to Sennheiser HD660s which I use mostly now, although I keep going back to listening to the Grado's and questions which do I really prefer.....
Now the daft thing is in last 25+ years I have only owned 3 headphones Grado SR80, SR325e and Senn HD660s (I havent used speakers much for many years). But stupidly spent way too much on Amps, DACs and damn cables.
Since joining ASR I got that upgrade itch again, I bought many USB DAC/Amp dongles and was toying the with idea to spent crazy money on a Benchmark or RME DAC in that aim to get "better" endgame sound. Not that I’m nocking the RME or Benchmark they look to be fantastic products, but have way too many features and connectivity I don’t need.
I had to step back and think my dad and brother still have there old systems and love listening to therm so I decided to start a fresh and build a new system I will stick with (kind of). But taking more of an Objective approach where I can.
I figured the CD player I have works (Arcam Alpha 7se) and I wont replace unless it breaks. Im sticking with CD as I have a big collection and love researching what CD Masters to get when I want a new album. I also like the experience of getting a glass of whisky, popping the CD in and reading the CD cover and contents etc. I know this is more subjective approach
I decided to find a DAC and Amp that would do what I need, which is simple take optical feed from my CD player and give a clean transparent output to drive my headphones and any I'm likely to buy in future. I wanted to purchase something US or EU made (just a personal choice) and from a company who's philosophy I like so I chose the JDS Labs Atom DAC/Amp+.
I bought Amazon Basics cables (optical and RCA) as its just a cables and as long as its well made and shielded, been as short as they are it doesn't matter.
I finally built the system this week and its great, its sounds good, I enjoy listening to my music. I don't feel the need to change anything.
For the 1st time in years I feel content with my system and have no itch to upgrade, I feel I have built my system in a way that negates the need to keep chasing the next shiny product because some subjective reviewer says this is now the end game DAC/Amp you need. or I just like the look of it and have some money to spend, and heck it costs more so surely sounds better.
I believe now the electronics part of my system is as good as my ears can tell.
The only itch I have right now is should I have got the Sennheiser HD650 not HD660s. I may buy the HD650 as I can give the headphones I like least to my son. Or maybe I'm missing a whole next level with better headphones. But then I like listening to it now, so why upgrade??
If I get any upgraditis itch in future, I need to look at how I chose my system, the components in my eyes cant get any better given the basic features I need.
I may upgrade the JDS Labs Atom DAC/Amp+ to whatever JDS release in future if it measures better, but not because I think it will sound better but because I want to support a company who's products and philosophy I really like and it fullfils that Upgraditis/purchasing itch.
Anyway sorry for the rant, just wanted to tell my story how for the 1st time in years I don't feel like upgrading
Back to my cuppa tea (Yorkshire Tea of course with milk and sugar in a mug) and listening to a well mastered CD of Enya Watermark on my system I would be proud to show my dad.
Cheers
Kevin
I have been into audio since college, even though my dad always involved me in his music.
I ignored my dads advice as a young man which was to build a separates system starting with the speakers. Instead when at college I bought a Technics Mini-system like all my friends did and it sounded poor compared to my dad and brothers systems based on components. looking back I think it was the B&W speakers they both had that really made the difference.
My dad and brother still have the same systems they had over 25 years ago and they still enjoy listening to them, only upgrading anything that broke.
I kept that mini system all the way through college along with my Sony Walkman and Sony headphones into early University.
It wasn't until I started at University studying Electrical and Electronic engineering that I got the "itch" to upgrade.
Since Uni and now into my later adulthood now 45 this year I have lost count of the number of CD/Record, Tape players, Amps, DACs, Speakers I have owned. Although early into University I moved away from speakers to headphones as I found I could get better sound for less money (important as a skint student). I got a Pair of Grado SR80 and stayed on those until 8 months ago (must be over 20 years old now) and recently upgraded to SR325e although not convinced I would call them an improvement.
I then in last 8 months "upgraded" to Sennheiser HD660s which I use mostly now, although I keep going back to listening to the Grado's and questions which do I really prefer.....
Now the daft thing is in last 25+ years I have only owned 3 headphones Grado SR80, SR325e and Senn HD660s (I havent used speakers much for many years). But stupidly spent way too much on Amps, DACs and damn cables.
Since joining ASR I got that upgrade itch again, I bought many USB DAC/Amp dongles and was toying the with idea to spent crazy money on a Benchmark or RME DAC in that aim to get "better" endgame sound. Not that I’m nocking the RME or Benchmark they look to be fantastic products, but have way too many features and connectivity I don’t need.
I had to step back and think my dad and brother still have there old systems and love listening to therm so I decided to start a fresh and build a new system I will stick with (kind of). But taking more of an Objective approach where I can.
I figured the CD player I have works (Arcam Alpha 7se) and I wont replace unless it breaks. Im sticking with CD as I have a big collection and love researching what CD Masters to get when I want a new album. I also like the experience of getting a glass of whisky, popping the CD in and reading the CD cover and contents etc. I know this is more subjective approach
I decided to find a DAC and Amp that would do what I need, which is simple take optical feed from my CD player and give a clean transparent output to drive my headphones and any I'm likely to buy in future. I wanted to purchase something US or EU made (just a personal choice) and from a company who's philosophy I like so I chose the JDS Labs Atom DAC/Amp+.
I bought Amazon Basics cables (optical and RCA) as its just a cables and as long as its well made and shielded, been as short as they are it doesn't matter.
I finally built the system this week and its great, its sounds good, I enjoy listening to my music. I don't feel the need to change anything.
For the 1st time in years I feel content with my system and have no itch to upgrade, I feel I have built my system in a way that negates the need to keep chasing the next shiny product because some subjective reviewer says this is now the end game DAC/Amp you need. or I just like the look of it and have some money to spend, and heck it costs more so surely sounds better.
I believe now the electronics part of my system is as good as my ears can tell.
The only itch I have right now is should I have got the Sennheiser HD650 not HD660s. I may buy the HD650 as I can give the headphones I like least to my son. Or maybe I'm missing a whole next level with better headphones. But then I like listening to it now, so why upgrade??
If I get any upgraditis itch in future, I need to look at how I chose my system, the components in my eyes cant get any better given the basic features I need.
I may upgrade the JDS Labs Atom DAC/Amp+ to whatever JDS release in future if it measures better, but not because I think it will sound better but because I want to support a company who's products and philosophy I really like and it fullfils that Upgraditis/purchasing itch.
Anyway sorry for the rant, just wanted to tell my story how for the 1st time in years I don't feel like upgrading
Back to my cuppa tea (Yorkshire Tea of course with milk and sugar in a mug) and listening to a well mastered CD of Enya Watermark on my system I would be proud to show my dad.
Cheers
Kevin
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