What do you do when you are done?

I wish that were possible here in Toronto. Urban sprawl for 2 hours in any direction.
I was amazed at the traffic you all have. And I’ve spent a lot of my life in Los Angeles. You guys took it to another level.

I just got back from the local record store. Ordered two records over the phone and picked them up curbside. I don’t want Amazon to be the only thing left after this.
 
Ordered two records over the phone and picked them up curbside. I don’t want Amazon to be the only thing left after this.

That's been my approach, too. Two record stores in my town, and I hope hope hope that both survive. Up until last week, when they started with semi-regular pickup hours, they were making front door deliveries. I found myself buying stuff that I probably wouldn't have otherwise, just to give them business. But it turns out that those records were pretty great, so win-win!
 
Seems to me, the answer is in the question...

We build our systems to better enjoy the music, time to venture out and try new music. Try new genres that you never thought of before.

Then maybe if you find a few new genres, it will spark a new flame for the hobby once more.

Either by wanting more music or ways to make the new music sound even better.

Might just be you're so used to the current music that you have gotten comfortable with your system (not that there is anything wrong with that ;))
 
I'm here for the 1970's support group. I guess this is more late '60s, but if you're into your system partly for nostalgia reasons I think it would be a tone of fun to put that theme across the whole room. In my case it was going back to a time period that the world was just getting out of when I was born, but a lot of the TV I grew up with existed in this space age future that never arrived. So I made it myself, with my wife.

There's no right way to be. Shag it up, man. Groovy.


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John VF, Your room would sure look nice in Palm Springs, more than a couple of Cody's and Weller's available.Beautiful.
 
John VF, Your room would sure look nice in Palm Springs, more than a couple of Cody's and Weller's available.Beautiful.
Palm Springs is what made me fall in love with mid century modern. I lived in Laguna Beach and used to spend weekends, when I could, at a mid-century themed motel in Palm Springs. Someday I hope to end up there.
 
I'v been done for a long time, found equipment I like that does what I need it to do, play music.
Once in awhile something different is presented I might like to try but not all that often. Can't remember the last time that I sat around physicalizing the system. Once in awhile I'll try a different pair of speaker and see what they offer, or if they make anything better.

For the most part I'v been satisfied for over 6 years. What I did after was buy music and listen to it finding out not all records are the same. It can be the mastering and or pressing that makes or breaks a records sound quality. So after you work at building a good system, it will shine better with better quality media.

But even then, it's about the music and not getting to critical. Many times I'll just throw on a used record I just bought giving it a dusting and enjoy it. It will get washed at some point but I was just happy get it and have a listen.
 
I’m never done.... Listening to music.

HiFi has been a hobby I have enjoyed for decades. I stopped listening to equipment long long ago. I haven’t made any changes in my audio system or room in a decade.

For me the “What’s Next” is enjoy the music. I have spent far more time seeking out new artist than searching for a new piece of equipment.
 
It is a very strange place to be. My original motivation was to build a great audio system to enjoy listening to music. That motivation through much effort has been achieved. As my interest continued, it turned a bit obsessive with a lot of buying and selling and far too much online research about audio equipment. I have learned a lot about what I like, what I thought I liked but didn't really, and can even say I can think of a few sets of speakers, and a few receivers which I liked more than any others, any of which I would be content with. I also realized I really just want to stream music. I have tried so hard to love vinyl, and even tried to get back into cassettes, but I very quickly tire of them and just go back to streaming. The weird part is that this feeling is not coming from a place of frustration, but rather a sense of a completed journey. I love my system but there doesn't seem to be anything left to do to it.

great topic and thread!

the analogy that jumps out at me is dating and marriage. the audio hobby can be like dating - hoping that "this is the one." but when you do find "the one" its time to settle down. right?
 
I've never considered assembling my system to be an active hobby--it's more a combination of the thrill of finding a good deal mixed with the tedium of figuring out what it is I don't like, and want to correct, in my system. I always have half-hearted "upgrades" in the back of my mind but since I have similarly arrived at my end-game system, any moves now are a sideways move. After a few decades I finally found the speakers I'm after (picked up 800 miles away just before the lockdown), attached to electronics (purchased used) that I'd never dreamed of owning. I still follow the latest equipment but don't have any desire to own the latest and greatest anymore. Listening to the music is the end goal, not chasing equipment, so I feel relieved that my hunt is over, not anguished that I have nothing left to do. Well actually, there are some loose ends (mainly, room treatment and tweaking the barely-audible subs), but the bulk of it is done. And I'm not getting too heavily into room treatments since we are starting to look more seriously at relocating.

the analogy that jumps out at me is dating and marriage. the audio hobby can be like dating - hoping that "this is the one." but when you do find "the one" its time to settle down. right?
Except that selling equipment when you're tired of it is a lot cheaper than divorce/alimony/child support. 😁
 
If I were ever done and satisfied with my gear I would still be finding ways to enhance the experience and that would focus on my music lounge. I already do to some extent, but I would probably dig into it deeper. Wouldn't go crazy with treatments strictly dedicated to acoustics, but I would find ways to refine that aspect as best as practical.

I too am way into MCM furnishings and architecture and already have some great pieces in my lounge and elsewhere, but there are always new pieces that pop up.

Wit ever evolving tech I think there would still be some changes on the streaming and DAC end of things. Maybe delving into Roon and get the entire house on one control.
 
I like MCM to an extent but really don't have the house or lifestyle for it. But I do know someone in the Chicago area who custom builds MCM furniture (not seating but credenzas, tables, wood trim and decor, etc.). He's not inexpensive but I've seen his work and he's a true craftsman. It's one of those instances where I normally couldn't afford it but would treat myself to an item if I were redecorating.
 
Palm Springs is what made me fall in love with mid century modern. I lived in Laguna Beach and used to spend weekends, when I could, at a mid-century themed motel in Palm Springs. Someday I hope to end up there.
Quick trip to Palm Springs last fall to visit a friend led to the unexpected pleasure of an up close open house visit toIMG_1891.jpgIMG_E1725.jpg a William Cody special, The Pool House at the Racquet Club. (Wifey and Francis the poodle in top photo.)
 
Quick trip to Palm Springs last fall to visit a friend led to the unexpected pleasure of an up close open house visit toView attachment 27060View attachment 27061 a William Cody special, The Pool House at the Racquet Club. (Wifey and Francis the poodle in top photo.)
What a wonderful place. There's a feeling to Palm Springs that I've not felt anywhere else. It looks like 'wifey' and Francis agree!
 
Just now catching up with this interesting thread. I've been "done" a number of times, after being at this since I was about 13 or 14 (so, 50 years and counting). I think the main system is done now, and I'm fortunate to have the space for multiple systems. The "playing around" system is in the basement, and there are multiple speakers and amps/receivers down there that rotate a bit. The hobby goes on, and I still enjoy reading about both new and older gear (I love browsing the old Stereo Review/High Fidelity/Audio magazines online), and the new-to-me music never runs out.
 
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