Forum NewsForumsHTF Chat Hardware ReviewsSoftware Reviews HTF Events
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Live Search: 
Web Search: 
 
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum




 
Forum Jump

Forum Sponsors

Home Theater Forum > Home Theater Hardware > Receivers/Separates/Amps
[ Have you reached the "point of diminishing returns?" ]

Post New Thread  Reply

 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 08:52 AM   #1 of 36
EdNichols
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Local Time: 03:44 AM
Local Date: 11-19-2008
Posts: 374

Have you reached the "point of diminishing returns?"


I know some will not agree that you ever reach this point. But I am sure their are some that feel spending anymore more will not get them the equivalent amount of better sound. If you feel that you have reached this point, what is your system now and how did you come to the conclusion that "this is it."
EdNichols is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 09:01 AM   #2 of 36
jason willder
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Local Time: 11:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 75

I have the Anthem/Paradigm setup. I know I have reached the threshhold becuase I listened to everything else I could find in the same price range and like what I bought the best. Also, I am out if money now. In a lottery situation I would probably begin to creep up the curve just out of boredom. I don't think many can argue against the diminishing returns rule, I think many have the money and don't let it stop them from upgrading. Addiction is a disease.
jason willder is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 09:10 AM   #3 of 36
Brett DiMichele
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Local Time: 06:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 3,046

Send a message via ICQ to Brett DiMichele Send a message via AIM to Brett DiMichele Send a message via Yahoo to Brett DiMichele
I'm getting there.... As soon as I have some Line Array's
for 2 channel and have my 2 channel CD source I will be for
all intent and purpose, done.. (I think?)

2 Channel:

Parasound Halo P3
Antique Sound Labs Wave AV-20DT Monoblocks 20 Watt
Technics SLBD-22D Turntable
AudioTechnica AT331-LP MC Cartridge
DIY Interconnects and Speaker Cables
(CD Source is currently DVD Player.. Blah)
**Bob Carver Sunfire TDC Mono Plate Amp (500Watt)
Home Theater

Onkyo TX-DS787 Reciever
Onkyo M-282 2 Channel Power Amp 110 Watt
Panasonic CV-51 5Disk Interlaced Changer
RCA 61" Home Theater Series RPTV (4:3)
**Bob Carver Sunfire TDC Mono Plate Amp (500Watt)

** = Shared between systems
Shared speakers

Acoustic Research AR9 Mains Bi Amped
Acoustic Research AR4C Center
Acoustic Research PS215 L/R Surround

Other Items

X-10 Lighting Control
Phillips Pronto Pro Remote

Future Upgrades in order of importance

DIY Audio Rack: Finite Elemente` Klone (working on it now)
XM Satelite Delphi SkyFi (In a few weeks)
Reference grade CD Player (within 6 months)
Line Array speakers DIY for 2 Channel (God Knows When..)

That is most likely "it"....




Click the logo to see my site!

Brett DiMichele
brettd@westol.com

\"Tawk to da hand!\"
Brett DiMichele is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 09:43 AM   #4 of 36
DanaA
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Local Time: 04:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 2,042

My system, of course, could be improved, but the extra bucks wouldn't be well spent, given my current level of satisfaction and my budget. In fact, I might feel guilty and selfish if I were to spend more now. I'm very happy and enjoy my system very much. Now, it's time to concentrate more on software, even though I already have plenty of that.

My bedroom is where I do most of my listening/watching. Equipment includes:
Rotel 1066 pre/pro
Parasound 1205A power amp
Klipsch Reference speakers
Hsu VTF-2 sub
Arcam 72T CD player
Denon 1600 DVD player
Panasonic VCR
Monster 5000 power conditioner
Mitsubishi 55859 HDTV
Magenta ADE-24 analog/digital enhancer
Cables by Quantum, Signal, and Rhino

Other rooms have various Denon, Onkyo, Sony, Polk, Adcom, NHT, AR, Toshiba, Yamaha, etc. components
DanaA is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 09:59 AM   #5 of 36
Evan S
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Local Time: 06:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 2,265

I know I have reached the point of diminishing returns because I got a noticeable upgrade in speakers recently but it wasn't like it was night and day...I know for the money I will have to spend to upgrade THESE speakers, it's simply not worth it to me and can be better spent elsewhere, and I don't mean elsewhere in my system, I mean on other things...like vacations or home improvements and such.

Speakers: ACI 25th anniversary Sapphires, Emeralds, Essence and Titan II LE Subwoofer.

Processor: Anthem AVM-20

Amplifiers: Odyssey Audio Dual Mono Stratos, Stratos HT3, and Rotel RB-1050

SACD player: Sony SCD-555ES

I could upgrade the video side of my system, no doubt, but that's not a high priority right now for me.





searching for that elusive, "perfect" sound.
Evan S is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
HTF Ads



Sponsored links



Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 10:11 AM   #6 of 36
Kevin_R_H
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Local Time: 07:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 126

Ed,

I don't know about "diminishing returns". While there are poor values (and out and out rip-offs) in all price ranges, I also believe that audible improvements can be had at every level. Maybe you have to spend an extra 50% to reap an extra 10% improvement in sound, but that kind of stuff is really difficult to define. The real problem only comes when you spend an extra 50%, and only 1 person in 20 can hear any difference at all.

As for me, I know I don't have some kind of Ultimate System. There's thousands of people with better sounding gear. I simply did the best I could with the funds I had available. I spent 18 months researching and listening. I'm the kind of person who never wants to ask myself "what if?" two years doen the road.

But I'm not like most folks on this site (or others I frequent like Audio Asylum, Harmonic Discord, and AVS Forum). I am no audiophile - I'm a music lover. For me, this is not a hobby. It is just a means for me to enjoy my passion. And music is the passion - not the equipment.

When I've bought audio or A/V equipment, I've tried to buy the best stuff I can afford at that time, and then I enjoy it for years. For example, I just upgraded everything last year, replacing separate power amp/preamp that I had bought in 1981. My old Thiel speakers had been bought in 1989.

I plan on keeping my current Audio/Video system "as is" for 10 - 12 years (maybe more if these tube amps are as durable as I hope). It's like buying a car. I buy the best I can afford, and then I drive it until its time has come. I don't fiddle with it - trying to improve it incrementally. I'm not going to replace the engine 8 months later "just to try something different". I don't dump the front seats, replacing them with Recaros just because I can. I may want "more tire", but I'll wait until the stock tires wear out first.

Don't get me wrong - I know I'm in the minority here. I know most folks here experience "HT upgrade-itis" all the time. And there's nothing wrong with that, after all, it's a healthy hobby. The only thing that gets hurt is bank accounts.

Kevin
Kevin_R_H is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 10:55 AM   #7 of 36
John Royster
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Local Time: 06:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 1,114

Possibly...

Martin Logan reQuest speaker
Sony 555es SACD
Adcom GCD700 CD
Aragon 8008bb amp
Adcom 750 pre-amp
All bypassed into a denon 3802 for surround.

At this point its really hard to justify an other purchases. I'd like to get really setup well for multichannel but to go Logan center and rears would cost a pretty penny in terms of amplification and speaker. I listened to the new Prodigy speakers and was really amazed so I guess I could get those for mains and move the request for rear duty...mmmm full range rears.

Truly the limiting factor in my stereo is the room at this point.
John Royster is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 10:59 AM   #8 of 36
Brett DiMichele
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Local Time: 06:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 3,046

Send a message via ICQ to Brett DiMichele Send a message via AIM to Brett DiMichele Send a message via Yahoo to Brett DiMichele
Kevin,

For sure it's a much better hobby than recreational drug
use and the like. It's safe it's clean and it's fun! And to
me if someone has a hundred grand in thier system then I
say to that! Hey if I had it, I'd spend it too.. And
I do spend it..

I don't have high end gear but what I have sounds fantastic.
It's hard to afford the best when you have more than just
one passion

Dana,

Why would you or SHOULD you feel "selfish" ? Do you work
hard? Do you take care of your wife and kids (if you have
them?) Are the bills paid? If the answer to all this is
yes then you have no reason to feel selfish or guilty. It
is not my job nor yours to worry about every single person
in the world. There are people out there worse off than I,
there are people out there far better off than I. Should I
be green with envy at those better off, and wrought with
sorrow over those who are less fortunate?

Many people are less fortunate because they choose to be.
Some people are born to be Have-Not's and it's not because
they have no oppertunity. This IS STILL the land of oppertunity
anyone can become successful or they can atleast support
themselves.




Click the logo to see my site!

Brett DiMichele
brettd@westol.com

\"Tawk to da hand!\"
Brett DiMichele is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 11:04 AM   #9 of 36
Craig Woodhall
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Local Time: 04:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 974

Yip, no more spending for a while have a baby on the way, finally paid it all off.. my system is:

Pre/Pro: Lexicon Dc-1
Amps: Cinepro 2k5II + Cinepro 600x2 (for 7.1)
Speakers: Paradigm Studio40's/Studio-cc/(4)Studio 20's
Sub: BPD 1803 + Tumult in a dual 18" PR box
SubAmp: Crest CPX2600 (1600w)
Projector: Barco Graphics 800
Scaler: HTPC

Craig
Craig Woodhall is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum
Old 05-01-2003, 11:24 AM   #10 of 36
Brett DiMichele
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Local Time: 06:44 PM
Local Date: 11-18-2008
Posts: 3,046

Send a message via ICQ to Brett DiMichele Send a message via AIM to Brett DiMichele Send a message via Yahoo to Brett DiMichele
I was thinking... (That always gets me into trouble)

I left a few things out..

I want a 61" Plasma for on the wall... I can hold off on
that for a while though.. I need proof of how long these
things will last before I dump 13 or more grand on one

Ok I done babbling..




Click the logo to see my site!

Brett DiMichele
brettd@westol.com

\"Tawk to da hand!\"
Brett DiMichele is offline Quote this post in a PM Send Support Ticket
Digg this Post!Add Post to del.icio.usBookmark Post in TechnoratiFurl this Post!
Reply With Quote Multi-Quote with this Post
sendpm.gif
Home Theater Forum
Home Theater Forum