Decware Audio Forums
09/18/26 at 12:55:06



Most recent 50 posts
Welcome, Guest. Please Login or Register

Pages: 1
Send Topic Print
Do you have a “GAS” problem? (Read 214 times)
Hearafter
Seasoned Member
****
Offline

“In Tubes We Trust”

Posts: 411
SF Bay Area
Do you have a “GAS” problem?
09/15/26 at 00:20:15
 
I thought I would share (if you haven’t already seen it) this Youtube video summary that was posted on another forum.  It makes some excellent points IMO.  Last three bullet points hit close to home.
The Youtube video’s 26-minute message is essentially: stop assuming a new component is the solution when the existing system may not yet be optimized.
- Fix the room first. Room acoustics can dominate what you hear; expensive electronics can't correct major acoustic problems.
- Optimize speaker placement. Position, distance from walls, toe-in, symmetry and spacing can make a larger difference than many equipment upgrades.
- Optimize the listening position. Moving your chair can substantially change bass response, imaging and tonal balance.
- Integrate subwoofers properly. Placement, phase, crossover and level need to work with the room rather than simply adding more bass.
- Change only one thing at a time. Otherwise you don't know which change caused the improvement—or deterioration.
- Listen analytically and diagnose the problem before buying something.
First identify what is wrong: bass, imaging, brightness, dynamics, etc. Then determine whether the cause is the room, setup, component matching or the equipment itself.
- Don't let reviews or other audiophiles define what you should hear. Use other people's opinions as information, not as the final judgment. The goal is your system, in your room, to your ears.
- Beware of GAS/FOMO — Gear Acquisition Syndrome. Constantly changing components can become the hobby instead of listening to music. There's always going to be a newer DAC, amplifier, cable or speaker. If the system is working well, don't manufacture a reason to replace it.
- Get everything you can from the equipment you already own. Proper setup can reveal performance you didn't know was available; then, if there's a clearly identified limitation, upgrade the component responsible.
- The ultimate objective is enjoying music, not perpetual dissatisfaction with your system.
Back to top
 
 

Aric Super 300B SET
Supratek Cabernet Pre
Mojo Mystique X’25 NC DAC
Sonore Sig Rendu SE Dlx
Vera-Fi LNBH, SSZ, MS, SW
Sonido SWR096FC Towers
KEF 62 Sub pair
SDFB-Graphene Slugs
Veritas Cables
Taboo MK3/DGR/GustardR30/Zrock3/DIY ZROBs
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Bottlehead
Seasoned Member
****
Offline



Posts: 680

Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #1 - 09/15/26 at 06:28:13
 
Guilty as charged, I'm afraid.
Back to top
 
 
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Lon
Seasoned Member
****
Online

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 28810
Munson Township, OH
Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #2 - 09/15/26 at 11:39:11
 
I'm quite guilty as well, though I take comfort in the fact that I have never forgotten that it's about the music for me, I have a real problem with actual music recordings, storage wise--I've already moved thousands of cds to Half Price Books this year, and there are more to go--far more a storage problem than any audio equipment problems. To the final bulletin points in the piece: I have paid attention to maximizing and optimizing what I have, as well as managing to enjoy the sound immensely every step of the way of changes or improvements, and my focus is improving what I have rather than buying new components, which I can hardly afford to even think of doing in reality.
Back to top
 
 

HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,Dynagrid Jr;Rega RP3+all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls,GCHA;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Stradivarius interconnects;Stack EQ; phones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
CAJames
Seasoned Member
****
Offline

"I've run every
red light on memory
lane."

Posts: 3365

Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #3 - 09/15/26 at 13:31:08
 
Firstly, I'm not going to judge anyone with GAS. There are guys (and they are always guys) who are more into golf clubs than golf, more into cameras than taking pictures or more into tools than wood working. If gear is your thing, I say knock your bad self out.

Secondly, what that list leaves out is money. Most people I know don't have a problem per se, they already have good sound they want to improve. So the thought process isn't so much "is this gizmo going to fix a problem" as it is "is the improvement from this gizmo worth the price."

Finally, like Lon, I have Music Acquisition Syndrome, pass the candle.
Back to top
 
 

[Volumio | Jay's CDT2 MRK3] -> Denafrips Terminator 2 + Gaia
Sumiko Pearwood -> Mapleknoll Athena -> Luxman SUT -> Mapletree Phono 3E
STR-1002 -> Woo WA22 -> 2x UFO25s, balanced monos
Omega SAM , Hifiman Arya, Audeze LCD-XC
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
JHC
Seasoned Member
****
Offline



Posts: 166

Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #4 - 09/15/26 at 17:10:55
 
As a fellow sufferer of Music Acquisition Syndrome, I have finally found some relief by getting my digital streaming setup to a place that feels quite good and without spending an overwhelming amount of money (of course, that is subjective). The inflow of vinyl has subsided.

I also find that listening to music is a total aesthetic experience, so I wouldn't judge the purchase of new gear simply because it looks nice and gives the listener another form of pleasure. I would imagine that anyone with a love of glowing tubes enjoys the visual aspect of music as well.
Back to top
 
 

OnFilter CleanSweep > Pine Tree Conditioner > (Sumiko Starling > VPI Signature Classic > Aric Audio Super MC/MM) or (Eversolo T10 > LTA Aero DAC) > Pine Tree 'Cosmic Doorway' + DGR Jr. > Alan Eaton 45 Monos > Omega Super 8 HO XRS + DeepHemp 10
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Donnie
Seasoned Member
****
Online

Why does it hurt
when I pee?

Posts: 2592
Central Illinois.
Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #5 - 09/16/26 at 01:23:50
 
Yeah I have a gas problem, probably because I eat tacos 3 meals a day 5 days a week.

I don't think that I buy too much equipment beyond things that I buy to entertain myself by building them. I usually give the stuff I build away after a few weeks of building them.

Since acquiescing to the fact that streaming music is the prudent way for listening in this day and age, my old habit of buying $80.00 a month in music has been replaced by an $12.00 fee. Freedom is upon me!

I know that I've brought this up before, but what is going to happen to our collections of music and equipment once we shuffle off of the stage?
I would find it troublesome to have my family left with a pile of "stuff" that not one of them have a clue of what to do with it beyond throwing it in the junk pile.

Sorry I'm in a dark mood tonight!
Back to top
 
 

Owner of the infamous RED TORII and Dan the Redheaded Amp
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Lon
Seasoned Member
****
Online

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 28810
Munson Township, OH
Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #6 - 09/16/26 at 12:32:58
 
I've actually been in a dark mood for some time. For many reaons, one that I am in the process of downsizing my collection brutally. It's hard and it's depressing and a lot of work. A lot is going into the trash now. . . sorry environmental impact, I've held off as long as I could! I wish I could say it feels good to divest myself this way. . . it doesn't. I wish I could keep everything I am selling, giving away or trashing. But I don't have room, and I don't have a wife who understands the value of a collection. And whatever I get for any of the media is welcome as I am facing an 8000 dollar fee for the removal of a giant beech tree that two arborists say won't fall and crush our house, but my wife insists on removing. Sigh. I could buy my dream DAC with that money!

I'm pretty sparse on the spare equipment front, been getting them out of the house pretty steadily. I have a few cables and disc players as back up I'm keeping, and two headphone items I'll probably put up for sale soon. And a helluva lot of tubes I probably should do something with.
Back to top
 
 

HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,Dynagrid Jr;Rega RP3+all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls,GCHA;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Stradivarius interconnects;Stack EQ; phones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
JBzen
Seasoned Member
****
Offline



Posts: 1688
Irwin PA
Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #7 - Today at 09:37:57
 
As an owner of 10 separate systems and still wanting more, yes it is a problem especially when the room becomes a organized maze of corridors.
Back to top
 
 

{LoopA[AMC CD8b>XO3>Stokes DAC>Carver C-9]LoopB[Ortofon 2M Black>Scout jr/Otari MX5050B2>ZP3]LoopC[Cambridge CXN2>ZDAC>ZBOX>Zrock2]}CSP2+>SE8425th>OCC copper braid>lii Crystal 10". Isolation. AC filtering. EcoFlow R2Max, Room Treatment.
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Lon
Seasoned Member
****
Online

"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 28810
Munson Township, OH
Re: Do you have a “GAS” problem?
Reply #8 - Today at 11:51:49
 
Ten separate systems. I think you win, maybe only Steve has more potentially able to be put together at short notice. My wife thinks I'm crazy because I have three that I use on and off (the main system always in use, an audio/visual and a headphone each only in occasional use).
Back to top
 
 

HR-1,ZBIT,ZROCK3,SEWE300B,Dynagrid Jr;Rega RP3+all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD DAC Mk II,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls, Reference spkrcbls,GCHA;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VeraFi Audio cpts VooDoo:Stradivarius interconnects;Stack EQ; phones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori
  IP Logged
Share: X Facebook LinkedIn Email WhatsApp Instagram Likes:
Pages: 1
Send Topic Print