This is off-topic so I'll make one comment and bow out.  All manufacturers have their ups and downs in quality.  For lots of reasons it's cyclical.  At the moment Audi is right up there with Lexus on few defects and high reliability which is a big turn around for them from 10 years ago.  MB went through the same thing and is now much better.  Expensive German cars are pretty complicated with lots that can go wrong.  My 2014 A6 TDI has been trouble free--sample size = 1 (=anecdote) but that's good enough for me.
 
As Jason makes clear, each person needs to draw the line somewhere.  Many of us have enough resources that it's sometimes hard to know when to start drawing. Eventually I'll figure it out.  I doubt that I will every pay more than the price of a Gumby for a DAC again.  And I don't think I'll be buying an RS-6 either.  Maybe a 2017 Q7 TDI.  But a little voice is beginning to ask me if I NEED it or just WANT it.    Then the other evil voice whispers it's ok to treat yourself well, you've earned it, you deserve something nice.
 
Is there a better pill for dysphoria than buying something you like?  

pirakaphile said:

Thanks a bunch Jason, glad to hear my own reassuring voice "this is enough" echoed just as loudly by yourself. Gives me solace in knowing that I'll actually be done with audio craziness in the next two years. Any time I read an ecstatic review or someone introduces the best BlagityDAC or KoolAmp, I'll come back to this story to remind myself to be conservative when it comes to money! 

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I think we all need a little re-assurance now and then. Especially if your buddies are anything like mine and egg you on a bit
 
 
 

lxjlthr said:

   
Not really.  There is a reason why Audi is short for Always Under Dealer Inspection. Them and MB and BMW are absolute garbage in quality.  Biggest marketing trick German car makers ever pulled was convincing their cars are a pinnacle of engineering quality and reliability.  But I feel like human nature/pride/ego would prevent most people from admitting their 6 figure car is less reliable than a Kia.  Unfortunately, I owned a RS4. Briefly.
 
And fan-freaking-tastic chapter.  That needs to be a sticky post or required reading for new members.  I am sure plenty of people think that but few have the balls to verbalize it because then they have to publicly admit their expensive mistakes...and ignorance is bliss for many.

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Um....not sure if troll but I'd call BMW's anything but garbage. E30's and E46's are quite possibly one of the best platforms for having fun out there. There's really not a whole lot that can break and they made gobs of them. I mean yeah if you pick something with the steptronic in it they'll be stupid expensive because they only put it in the M's.
 
I'm honestly not trying to point fingers or poke but I've found the Audi's and BMW's are plenty amazing but YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. They won't allow you to leave the oil go a few extra miles and ignore stuff like your standard japcrap boxes. Meyhaps that was an issue.
 
Anyway....done with the car euphemisms before Jason gets angry

Hey let's talk some schiit now

Well, we could roll all of this together in the form of the new Schitt car [redacted].....

jlangholzj said:

   
I think we all need a little re-assurance now and then. Especially if your buddies are anything like mine and egg you on a bit
 
 
 
 
Um....not sure if troll but I'd call BMW's anything but garbage. E30's and E46's are quite possibly one of the best platforms for having fun out there. There's really not a whole lot that can break and they made gobs of them. I mean yeah if you pick something with the steptronic in it they'll be stupid expensive because they only put it in the M's.
 
I'm honestly not trying to point fingers or poke but I've found the Audi's and BMW's are plenty amazing but YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEM. They won't allow you to leave the oil go a few extra miles and ignore stuff like your standard japcrap boxes. Meyhaps that was an issue.
 
Anyway....done with the car euphemisms before Jason gets angry

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You sound like an engineer.  That's a compliment.  So am I.

jfoxvol said:

Hey let's talk some schiit now

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Yeah, like some serious schiit.

audiobear said:

  Well, we could roll all of this together in the form of the new Schitt car [redacted].....

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I'm betting it would have a nice aluminum chassy.

and any color you like, so long as it's not black.  

alex martin said:

 
Each and every product we sell has a quality sticker.  The serial number is only added to our amps and dacs after the product has been tested for functionality, sound, and cosmetics.  If it failed functionality or sound it goes back for evaluation and rework.  If it fails for cosmetics only it is stickered and sold as b-stock.

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My fave "sticker" on a product was the decal that used to appear on SAABs - it said "Made by trolls in Trollhatten" under a drawing of  - you guessed it - a rather droll troll.
 
For our favorite products, may I suggest the following stickers (or buttons or Tees):
 
California grown
 
Certified Buzzword Compliant
 
Another brick from the Schiithaus
 
Fresh from the Schiithole
 
Mike sez it's good (for DACS)
 
Passed by Jason (for amps)
 
And of course,
 
Inspected by #2

nm

An effort to steer the thread back to Jason's recent post, with an anecdote:
 
I was once at an house where the owner was showing off his $70,000 system in the context of late 1980's prices.  There were four guests in attendance, including me.  The first twenty minutes or so of the "demo" were to point out the perfect qualities of finish, machining, plating, and all aesthetic aspects of the system.  In addition, the owner described the modifications he made to the electrical and structural aspects of his house proper to better sound.  
 
He than began to demo the system with selections from his 20LP collection.  It was an OK sound, just not to my taste, but I could hear why many might find it appealing.  He had no wife, no kids, and few friends.  He was the owner of his own company.  A few years later, he was in the process of expanding his home to a three story, nine thousand foot hillside wonder with putting green, wine cellar, and indoor pool.  Something happened, he sold all of his gear (and his cars) and ended up in an apartment.
 
What I take away from this are the following, in no particular order:
 
Make sure what you have is for your pleasure and is not what you imagine pleases others.
 
Take care of yourself and what you like; no one else will.
 
Never spend money you do not have to impress people you do not like.
 
I'm not saying' that this situation applies to all 1% audio users.  I will say that for the most part, their presence (visible in other threads - like the Yggy ones) requires patience and maintenance I am no longer willing to provide.  I cannot debate the aspects of existential sonic objective vs subjective reality.  It tires me.
 
I don't care whether you like a Ferrari or a Tesla.  All I care about which is more fun for me to drive in the world I live in.  Period.
 
I hear from plenty of my users they delight in enjoying music on Schiit hardware.  That is why I do this.

jfoxvol said:

I have a modified S4 and happen to love everything about it.

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We have plants in Germany and had an S4 company car.  I got to drive it once (it was the VP's car).  Entering the autobahn, I accelerated and passed most of the traffic still in 3rd gear.  When I got to 6th gear, I was going so fast that with wings I would have lifted off.  Very unstable and overpowered for such a small car, but what a thrill.  The S6 is quite a bit better, IMO.  I'd never own one as they are probably $80K or more.  Rather invest in more HP's...LOL.

Hey guys, let's take the car stuff to Audiforums (or wherever you hang out.) I very pointedly didn't mention what cars I have owned, or currently own, for a reason.

yeah my last post was let's talk some schiit.  Car talk is fun but let's keep on topic.  An analogy I made got carried in a crazy direction.  Good to know some petrol heads are lurking but yarp let us keep this forum on target.

 
What I take away from this are the following, in no particular order:
 
Make sure what you have is for your pleasure and is not what you imagine pleases others.
 
Take care of yourself and what you like; no one else will.
 
Never spend money you do not have to impress people you do not like.
 

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Mike, those are some great rules to live by.  
 
FWIW, Gumby brings me great pleasure.  Thank you for providing that and keep it up.
 
Note added after posting:  I can find absolutely nothing gray about the sound.  The background is stark black.