One of our HiFi Family members mentioned to me the other day they sometimes felt as if they were on the upgrade merry-go-round. With each new piece of gear he bought from us the system got noticeably better to the point where he realized the other components were needing an upgrade as well.
I think of this not as a merry-go-round but more of a progress spiral. With each return to the start, we're actually in a different (and better) place. Along the journey we learn and grow so that when we circle back progress has been made.
The new BHK600 amplifier is a good example. I knew it would be better than the BHK300, but this much? Within 30 minutes of the new 600 warming up and music playing I found myself in a whole new world of musical wonder. My familiar music was fresh and new. Unknown details in the music were revealed to me.
I started noticing more differences between sources.
There was a greater gap between streaming and playing on the transport.
Maybe that could be addressed with a cable swap or, more basic, should I readjust my speakers again?
Each step up the progress ladder brings us back around to have a look at the assumptions and changes that got us here.
It is how we move forward.
