Contentment?

[sidvee]

A Four-Cent Cigar and the Tyranny of Better

Edward Mott Robinson (above), a Quaker tycoon from whaling-era Massachusetts, would turn down fine cigars. He preferred the cheap kind. "I smoke four-cent cigars, and I like them," he declared (footnote 1). "If I were to smoke better ones, I might lose my taste for the cheap ones that I now find...

www.stereophile.com

Cheers,
Sid

 

[Analogous]

A Four-Cent Cigar and the Tyranny of Better

Edward Mott Robinson (above), a Quaker tycoon from whaling-era Massachusetts, would turn down fine cigars. He preferred the cheap kind. "I smoke four-cent cigars, and I like them," he declared (footnote 1). "If I were to smoke better ones, I might lose my taste for the cheap ones that I now find...

www.stereophile.com

Cheers,
Sid

Fantastic article!

 

[Analogous]

It has all the elements of a great parable…. Starting with a simple story, then using this analogy to discuss the range of audiophile dilemmas that many of us are familiar with, …. Or blissfully unaware of.

All written succinctly with simplicity and elegance. It’s a masterpiece of prose in my opinion.
Hope many will read this and ponder, as these insights go far beyond cigars and audio

It’s about deriving pleasure and preserving our contentment with things that satisfy us; When simple pleasures settle into place, know to leave it alone.

But then, I was curious about what else this writer and reviewer had written and I found this: The cognitive dissonance is agonising!

Grimm Audio LS1c active loudspeaker system

It's not unusual for audiophiles to have fond childhood recollections of the old family stereo, but Eelco Grimm's memory of his dad's audio system probably stands alone. It's not just that Piet Grimm, a professional pilot for the Dutch air defense (footnote 1), had a pair of very fine Infinity...

www.stereophile.com

 

[Analogous]

I found this by the same writer

Quackery, gullibility, and open-mindedness

Gullibility is a disadvantage in any business, but it's a cardinal sin in journalism. During my J-school years, I acquired the occupational deformity that afflicts most reporters: a degree of skepticism bordering on the cynical. In my professional circles, an adage holds that "if your mother...

www.stereophile.com

 

[Analogous]

And this:

“…The advantage of a highly resolving music system is that you can hear deeper into recordings. The disadvantage is that you can hear deeper into recordings.…”

On creaks and coughs and candy wrappers

The advantage of a highly resolving music system is that you can hear deeper into recordings. The disadvantage is that you can hear deeper into recordings.

www.stereophile.com

 

[sidvee]

I agree with the original article to the extent that once you hear a $12,000 DAC it will quite possibly ruin your experience of the $1000 one you have, though it may not be 12 times better. Have experienced this quite a few times, and know first hand now, that though upgrading brings diminishing returns, those returns are what I crave and unfortunately cannot afford most of the time.
Cheers,
Sid