Others have said it before, but I'll say again now: I hate you all. Here is the first chapter in the tragic tale of my decent into hi-fi personal audio.

I had a pair of Sony MDR-CD380s, which I was fairly happy with. Nothing spectactular, but not too bad. I've never owned any hi-fi equipment, just headphones plugged into my computer. I'd heard the raves about Grados, and I'd been planning to buy some SR-60s for a while now.

Christmas came around, along with cash from relatives. Rather than just ordering the SR-60s, I read the reviews again to be sure. Before I knew it, I'd talked myself up to SR-80s, then SR-125s.
Cost: $135

While awaiting my SR-125s, I encountered the mythic D-25S. I soon placed an order, convincing myself that good headphones were nothing without a decent cd player.
Cost: $50
Total cost so far: $185

And honestly, what good is my spiffy new D-25S without a proper cd collection? How can I call myself a classical fan if I don't even have a recording of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata or Holst's Planets? Boy, I'd better head to CDNOW and bolster my fledgling classical collection.
Cost: $60
Total cost so far: $245

Wait a minute, I like classical more than rock! What if the Grados "color" my classical? Everbody says the Sennheisers are better for classical... and look: there are some new HD580s on ebay. I know, I'll keep my Grado order, order the 580s, and I'll sell whichever I like the least.
Cost: $160
Total cost so far: $405

Everybody at Head-Fi loves their Sennheisers, but they always say they're hard to drive. I know Ross says the D-25S can drive the 580s, but even if he's right you've got to have an amp. I mean everyone has an amp, especially the Team Sennheiser folk. And I found such a sweet deal on the Total Airhead, too.
Cost: $80
Total cost so far: $485

After going for the TA, I realized I had better check my bank account to be sure I have enough money to buy this semester's textbooks. I suddenly realized just how far I'd fallen. All along, I've been convincing myself of the quality of products I was ordering and remarkable deals I'd found. None of this changes the fact that I've just spent $485 dollars on hi-fi audio, something I've never cared about before. They say admitting you have a problem is the first step...

Good heavens, what's next?

Here's a preview of the next tragic chapter...

For starters, I'll need HD600s. They don't cost much more than the 580s, and they are Stereophile class A. While I'm at it I'll probably need Clou Reds, not to mention a better amp, cd player, maybe some high-end Grados...

Update: Just saw an X-Cans V2 for $200... couldn't resist... when will it stop?!?

It's okay, Pete. We ALL hate each other with a passion.

Who's this Ross guy you mentioned?

BTW, if you really are in too deep w/r/t money, I'm sure you could get fair offers for some of that equipment in the "Gear for Sale/Trade" area here.

One thing is confusing me, though... which items, out of those you mentioned ordering, have you actually taken delivery on so far?

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LOL, it sounds like he hasn't received anything yet! Hehehe, ya, whatever you dont like just sell it us, the bastards, at a discounted price!

George

LOL Gloco! Yes, we certainly are BASTARDS...

You think you got it bad? Wait until you have kids. That's an 18 year sentence without parole, and not neccesarily to be served concurrently...well, at least you can make'm do stuff for you.

You are correct in surmising that I've received nothing (except for my D-25S, whose nuances seem mostly lost on my Sony CD380s). It would be somewhat different if I received some equipment, decided I was addicted, and proceeded to spend vast sums. No, I've spent all this money without being certain what I'll get out of it. Heaven knows what I'll end up spending if I decide I'm an audiophile...

Of course, all this fantastic gear will be arriving next week, when I start my next--very difficult--semester of classes.

yeah but wait,it gets much worse.
If you are smart you will just stop now and NEVER visit this website again,not ever.
If you do you will always be on the hunt for the next big thing,always something better out there.
And that is what is the downside of this disease for some,never happy.
Instead of listening to music,some tend to get hung up on the gear.
And I am by no means saying that top shelf equipment does not sound great or that I have not myself fallen into this hole without escape.
BUT !
I am saying , even a ****ty am radio sounds great with a song you like.Even a POS boombox is adequate if the song is good,car stereo rules while in motion.
But is this the best out there ?
I think not!
Do not lose sight of the music.
And BTW-welcome to our band of fanatics

Admission is free,you pay to get out

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Ah yes...another victim.

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Amen to that rickmon!

If you were going to shell out money to give this new experience a try, you should have taken the time to demo some mid-fi stuff at your local mall electronics stores. (Some stores carry some hi-fi stuff too! Like Circuit City and Tweeter).
I'm surprised that you didn't figure out that this was an expensive hobby sooner. The stuff that you ordered, if you are not satisfied, I'm sure you can return them for a full refund(just a hassle).
It's natural to be an audiophile, it's one of the greatest sources of pleasure. It's wether or not you let yourself to become one that counts. I'm sure every other normal ear can hear what the rest of us do, it's a matter of them picking up on it or not. Has to do with brain open-mindedness and personal taste I think. The more our ears get exposed, the more open or stubborn we can get.

You've obviously taken interest, so there should be good chances that you will be impressed by what you bought, and will most likely ENJOY it. This puts a hole in your wallet, so, you can always get more money. Just make some cutbacks, don't eat out much, forget going to the movies, take your girlfriend for a walk instead of a dance club... Used books are much cheaper btw. (every book I read I take it out of the library or buy used, will do same for college books when the time comes)

This is a lot like the mastercard commercials, all that good stuff cost dough, but the enjoyment of great audio... priceless.

RIGHT ON! See Audio&Me you hit the nail on the head there. Girlfriends cost doh!! There is nothing priceless about swooning over some babe in hopes that she'll choose you to continue the species with... Audio on the other hand, hearing Mozart's genius come flooding at you in a sudden epiphany of his great talent, hearing the emotion of the performer mixed with the emotion of the creator, the UNDERSTANDING of what was being expressed, and the beauty of the symbiosis between composer, performer, and listener... That is priceless. Of course finding someone to share that with me WOULD BE NICE, if I can find someone who likes the same **** I like I'll be head over heels. Of course we will probably try to kill each other because my music tastes are so freaking bipolar its maddening to myself even.

No no no no no no no!Do not discourage this free spirit from following his passion of hi fidelity.Wait till after I open my store and sell him lots of stuff.You need this site pete.We are your only friends.Everyone else is against you. LOL!!!

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HAHAHA, your too much Tuberoller. When will your store opening occur? Will it be via online, offline or both?

George

Soon GLOCO.

Oops, just read your other post, sorry

George

We aren't really evil. There has to be something thay sounds better. There has to be.

Lextek