That itch.

[JohnVF]

I can't be the only one that gets that itch, the compulsion to just want a new piece of gear to play with. I don't need anything. At all. The system sounds GREAT. yet, I have that itch. I NEED SOMETHING NEW.

Do you get it?

The key for me and my finances was learning that the itch could be handled by progressively cheaper things, to a point. It didn't need to be a new amp or speakers. Could be a new DAC. Could be a new cart. Could be speaker cables. Could be even feet for the gear. Just...something. For awhile I was able to fight it off by buying records.

But now its back and I have a bad case.

So what do I buy? I really don't need anything and everything here is so set up as to make it too expensive to scratch the itch on a whim.

Scratch scratch scratch. Maybe a new cart? I left most of my carts with a friend in Michigan by accident and so have a space for one on my 2nd turntable....

Scratch scratch scratch.

Tell me you have this affliction, too.

 

[JoeThePop]

I can't be the only one that gets that itch, the compulsion to just want a new piece of gear to play with. I don't need anything. At all. The system sounds GREAT. yet, I have that itch. I NEED SOMETHING NEW.

Do you get it?

The key for me and my finances was learning that the itch could be handled by progressively cheaper things, to a point. It didn't need to be a new amp or speakers. Could be a new DAC. Could be a new cart. Could be speaker cables. Could be even feet for the gear. Just...something. For awhile I was able to fight it off by buying records.

But now its back and I have a bad case.

So what do I buy? I really don't need anything and everything here is so set up as to make it too expensive to scratch the itch on a whim.

Scratch scratch scratch. Maybe a new cart? I left most of my carts with a friend in Michigan by accident and so have a space for one on my 2nd turntable....

Scratch scratch scratch.

Tell me you have this affliction, too.

Yes. And that describes almost any hobby. Don't need anything, but what is a hobby without looking at new or different gear, which usually results in the itch that demands to be scratched. I got the itch with the work-from-home situation for something that would play nice on a desk. When I get the itch, the amount of online research I do borders on obsessive. This is half the fun and works to soothe the itch. Reading reviews, finding measurements (if they exist), checking out different manufacturers, asking questions on forums like I did here... Then the purchase and the fun of experiencing something new. But invariably the itch returns. I don't currently need anything, but I am doing some initial research for something to play with in the budget realm where I spend my time. I'm currently thinking of a TPA3255 board, power supply to power it, and a simple tube preamp (like the Schiit Vali).

 

[Redboy]

Lately I have been scratching that itch by heading over to Blue Note and buying another Tone Poet release...

I'm gonna suggest a new set of batteries for your very coolest remote control. Splurge on Lithium, or something... (seriously though, you might want to swap those out).

 

[fiddlefye]

I certainly have the affliction, spread over a range of interests. Having alternate gear in the closet helps at least a little. Fortunately sometimes the itch decides somehow to scratch itself in the form of people giving me things like the 1,500 LPs I'm dealing with at the moment. Even so (in another hobby) I'm giving serious thought to picking up a sad and unloved first generation Contarex that has come onto the horizon. Pics relating to that will appear in another part of the forum before long.

 

[240sx4u]

It's probably just crabs.

 

[240sx4u]

Phono Cartridge Repair & Retipping Service | VAS Audio

VAS offers professional phono cartridge repair and retipping services for those in need of a rebuild.

vasnyinc.com

 

[JohnVF]

Lately I have been scratching that itch by heading over to Blue Note and buying another Tone Poet release...

I'm gonna suggest a new set of batteries for your very coolest remote control. Splurge on Lithium, or something... (seriously though, you might want to swap those out).

It’s in storage! I haven’t had the TVC in use in a year. Hmmmm.... could get a new amp to pair with it.... but I like the Luxman and unhooking everything would be a pain. Laziness and The Itch are at odds.

 

[JohnVF]

I certainly have the affliction, spread over a range of interests. Having alternate gear in the closet helps at least a little. Fortunately sometimes the itch decides somehow to scratch itself in the form of people giving me things like the 1,500 LPs I'm dealing with at the moment. Even so (in another hobby) I'm giving serious thought to picking up a sad and unloved first generation Contarex that has come onto the horizon. Pics relating to that will appear in another part of the forum before long.

I had a basement full of gear most audio stores would have been jealous of. It didn’t soothe the itch here.

 

[fiddlefye]

It’s in storage! I haven’t had the TVC in use in a year. Hmmmm.... could get a new amp to pair with it.... but I like the Luxman and unhooking everything would be a pain. Laziness and The Itch are at odds.

Laziness can often be a saving grace.

 

[JohnVF]

Phono Cartridge Repair & Retipping Service | VAS Audio

VAS offers professional phono cartridge repair and retipping services for those in need of a rebuild.

vasnyinc.com

Well what on Earth could this be in reference to? 🤣

 

[fiddlefye]

I had a basement full of gear most audio stores would have been jealous of. It didn’t soothe the itch here.

It only works once in awhile for me. If I've no experienced something for a long while it can at least be a pleasant distraction for a time.

 

[JohnVF]

I’m leaning towards a new cart for my wife’s turntable. Which sits alongside my turntable. It’s a full auto linear tracking Mitsubishi LT-30 that she doesn’t need to touch the arm on. Something totally opposite to the Ortofon LOMC on my turntable. MM or MI. I was thinking Grado but I’ve never quite loved any Grados I’ve heard. Liked a few. Maybe haven’t given them a proper chance.

 

[Thermionics]

It's probably just crabs.

 

[JohnVF]

This is BESIDES the crabs.

 

[JohnVF]

If it wasn't so freakin' hot in here I'd drag the Pass Aleph 30 out of storage to mate with the Redboy TVC. That thing is a space-heater though. Its not been used in 6 years!

 

[MikeyFresh]

Do you get it?

I get it.

Tell me you have this affliction, too.

I do, long suffering, though typically it improves with the weather. Once I'm no longer stuck inside anymore the affliction will subside somewhat, however it can return at any time without warning.

For now I've been scratching that itch with SACD purchases (I've got a package en route from CDJapan via DHL as we speak), and the plastic version of the Allo Boss2, and also the Topping D30 Pro.

Oh and new desktop speakers for the office that I've just returned to, I picked up the Mackie CR3 in limited edition Tron Blue trim, because the newer CR3-X version omits the foam isolation pads from the included accessories, those are now sold separately.

So I have a credit card bill to pay this month, and hopefully the affliction will then ease with the onset of summer.

 

[JohnVF]

I get it.


I do, long suffering, though typically it improves with the weather. Once I'm no longer stuck inside anymore the affliction will subside somewhat, however it can return at any time without warning.

For now I've been scratching that itch with SACD purchases (I've got a package en route from CDJapan via DHL as we speak), and the plastic version of the Allo Boss2, and also the Topping D30 Pro.

Oh and new desktop speakers for the office that I've just returned to, I picked up the Mackie CR3 in limited edition Tron Blue trim, because the newer CR3-X version omits the foam isolation pads from the included accessories, those are now sold separately.

So I have a credit card bill to pay this month, and hopefully the affliction will then ease with the onset of summer.

How do you like those Mackies? I had larger Mackie powered monitors about ten years ago. They were very nice (but not really neutral for the sake of being actual monitors... bit heavy sounding and, well, fun ).

I have several itches from several hobbies going on at once. Currently my little BMW Z3 is stealing all of my audio money as I fix her up and contemplate adding a custom interior. It's summer, the sun is out, and that does seem like more fun than buying an amp.

 

[240sx4u]

Don't you already have a Nagaoka MP-500 sitting around somewhere?

 

[MikeyFresh]

How do you like those Mackies? I had larger Mackie powered monitors about ten years ago. They were very nice (but not really neutral for the sake of being actual monitors... bit heavy sounding and, well, fun ).

I just unboxed them as they were delivered at lunchtime.

I'm immediately irked by the fact that Amazon sent the CR3-X that I intentionally tried not to buy, and thus there will be no foam isolation pads included. Bait and switch. Far too much hassle to return them for that reason alone however.

 

[JohnVF]

I just unboxed them as they were delivered at lunchtime.

I'm immediately irked by the fact that Amazon sent the CR3-X that I intentionally tried not to buy, and thus there will be no foam isolation pads included. Bait and switch. Far too much hassle to return them for that reason alone however.

Now you can get those cool Iso-acoustic stands instead. They look pretty sharp.