Would you sell your whole collection for just one SR009/amp - Page 10

 

Yes, it's true that I don't currently have a dynamic amp to drive my dynamic headphones - which is just a few actually, 2 of which are for computer usage, and only 1 for dedicated music listening (and my 1 pair of custom IEMs).

 

To expand onto my previous post, I've observed that Head-Fiers are naturally inclined to build up a gear collection - that's exactly what I did for years. You have to have a headphone for every type of music, or so you think, or so is reported by tons of other Head-Fiers. It's sort of like a chorus that's repeated by everyone.

 

But as someone who's taken that journey (since 2006) of collecting gear and only recently taking a hard look at what I really wanted to keep long-term for the sake of practicality, I think it's certainly possible for Head-Fiers to maintain a single system - maybe 2 or 3 headphones at most. When I asked myself what I really wanted my music to sound like, and which headphones I could live with, and which ones I didn't really need, the answer was obvious: I only really needed 2 headphones - 1 dynamic and 1 electrostatic, the Audio-Technica AD2K and Stax OII MKI. This was a frustrating outcome, because it's not very practical for me to have a simultaneous dynamic & electrostatic system (I often rotate between them).

 

The one thing I've learned the most from my journey is that one should get & keep the headphones that bring the most musical satisfaction. Not sonic satisfaction. I no longer listen to "sound" to dissect the treble from the bass or whatever other nonsense. I originally got into listening to music (note: not headphones) because I loved music - both the playing of it and listening to it. I'm not sure about anyone else, but I love music, and when I listen to it on headphones, I want to enjoy it, whether it's electronica, metal, bluegrass, or classical. And I found that my OII MKI/BHSE and AD2K could cover literally everything together, no other headphones needed. Bam, I'm done.

 

I think the idea of a "collection" is flawed. Does anyone really need a "collection" of gear? Do what makes sense. Headphone gear is expensive and takes up space. It's possible to simplify down to gear that will bring complete musical satisfaction. I've done it and I have to say that I have no regrets parting with any of the gear that I've sold. There are still times when I think I could live with just my IEMs and MP3 player. Well, until I re-listen to my OII/BHSE, and then that thought goes out the window. The OII crushes everything. Until I need some attitude of course, which is where the AD2K comes in.

Asr, it is always supposed to be about the music. I imagine you never lost sight of that. Which makes you unusual on a big audio forum. For every fifty audiophiles who claim they listen to their music, not their equipment, perhaps one or two do. Reading the posts on audio sites, an alien would think that music is a means to enjoy gear. There are some of us who kick back, turn the lights out, close our eyes and get lost in the music, thinking of our gear only when we turn it on or off and when it doesn't work. But not many.

 

It depends on what you want out of this hobby, what end one is trying to reach. Sometimes the collection is that end. I mean, does one really "need" a $5000 amp and $2500 pair of headphones, even if they're the only gear one owns? I think it's pretty safe to say that most of us summit-fiers have already entered into the realm of absurdity. To the outside observer, a pair of headphones costing over $200 is already Twilight Zone fodder.

 

There's an unfortunate tendency in audiophilia, like most human endeavors, for some people to thumb their noses at others (not saying you're doing this, mind). People who want to come off as holier-than-thou like to question the motivation of others, saying their valuing aesthetics is misplayed, that it's "all about the music," that collecting is a neurotic compulsion, that they're somehow privy to insight or wisdom because they do it for the music and thus are true audiophiles or some nonsense like that.

 

I personally think the end of most hobbies should be personal enjoyment. Collecting is only flawed insofar as it hinders that enjoyment. Some individuals become overburdened, overwhelmed, and ultimately unhappy with amassing goods, certainly. However just as often I've witnessed people with a one-in-one-out policy who are just as unsatisfied and never find what they're looking for. The ritual of selling off goods and searching for a replacement becomes the focal point, the song and dance, and gets in the way of enjoyment just as much.

 

We all have desires that we seek to fulfill. That's why most, if not all, of us are here posting in the first place.

Edited by MuppetFace - 10/7/12 at 2:58am

 

I'm starting to feel pretty much this way about the 009s and Symphones Magnums respectively. I find the AD2K too harsh and un-resolving for my  tastes.

 

It's an interesting question though, as I just ordered a BHSE, but at the same time, right now, I'm listening through the Magnums using a Dragonfly and O2 for the sharpness and intensity.

 

The same thing has been happening to me more or less. I've got the "Stax Trio" as my primary set of headphones, what I listen to about 90% of the time, and a few dynamics (HD800, HP1000, YH-1000) for the times when I want some additional character. Granted it's not quite the same as a dedicated duo, but it's definitely scaled back compared to my previous habits.

Rather than have several headphones and amps, I'd sooner just have two or three of both that gave me the SQ I was looking for. When I receive the GS-X I'll have three amps [ Pico Slim - GS-X - BHSE ] but that will be it regarding anymore of them. About headphones, I have 009 + Grado PS500 and Shure se535 but when Stax come out with another flagship I'll be changing my 009 for that assuming it'll sound something between the 007 and 009. I'll also be looking at the new Sennheiser electrostatic headphones. I might eventually get the TH900 and FitEar ToGo 334 but before I did that I'd let go my PS500 and se535's.

It seems Stax hasn't designed a flagship headphone that's perfect for everyone. At least one that everyone will agree on. What makes you think the next flagship will be any different?

 

I don't, that's why I put assuming.

 

 

new sennheiser electrostatic??? um... he100?

 

Hunh? If so this thread could an update: http://www.head-fi.org/t/568198/does-sennheiser-ever-plan-to-make-new-electrostatic-headphones

 

 

 

thank you for the link, i thought i might have missed the news of a new senn stats

 

 

actually the beats pros are well above 200 dollars price tags and i do see them around pretty often, so i think people even not audiophiles are willing to spend more than 200 bucks on headphones

Boo get off the stage!

 

 

 

i was just saying...

When I first joined head-fi, I was amazed that so many people collected so many headphone setups.  I came from a loudspeaker background, where such collections would be extremely impractical, unless you were a millionaire. However, MF's earlier points about collections and archiving does explain that, with the "Journey" being as important as the "Destination". And I have no issue with hobbyists who like collecting, comparing and archiving.

 

But if the Destination is to get the most musically satisfying system, then maintaining a large collection is a wasteful way of going about it. If you have a bunch of headphones that each sound good on some types of music, but bad on others, then, by definition, they must be fundamentally flawed. And continually getting distracted by lots of flawed components is not going to get you to that Destination.

 

But I don't think it's a good idea to go straight from a bunch of average setups to the final Destination.

You'll get a massive OMG moment, where you want to revisit all your favourite albums - simultaneously.

But if you work up to that Destination in considered steps, then you'll get a whole series of OMG moments along the way. If this is to remain a hobby, then the Journey is still as important as the Destination, but it's a different Journey to the earlier one. As per MF's point above, the key thing is to remember to enjoy the music. Because if you're forever buying components, yet are never musically satisfied, then it's not a hobby - it's an obsession.