Thank you Sean - great video! I am in camp A with my reference system. Camp B with my secondary system and still tweaking - my secondary system speakers have great voicing but lack the fullness on the bottom...waiting from my new Rel subwoofer to show-up. I will say that before you make major changes that you work diligently on speaker placement and take a good look at your room.

As an older audiophile the component's I need is younger ears.

I wrote down my list. The most important one is "I want more rooms in my house to justify more systems".

Sean, this video is another example, and proof that you're one of the best hi fi reviewers on the web. A lot of common sense is being shared here. I'm in my early fifties now, but I wish I would have had this kind of advice when I started my audio journey at sixteen. It would have really helped in quite a few different ways. When I think of all the money I've spent over the last 35+ years to see what works and what doesn't, it is scary. Granted, there's no substitute for experience, but for all the newbies out there, listen to this guy. He really knows what's up with gear and good sound. Well done sir! Keep em' coming Sean. Happy holidays.

Glad to see you keeping the channel alive. Hope to see more content from you and some live streams in the not to distant future. Miss your voice in the community brotha.

I've been chasing the dragon for over 40 years, but not really hard core until the last 10 or so.  As you say, the problem when you're new to the hobby (I was 13 when I started) is you don't know what you want, or like, or how to figure it out.  Even if you do find a happy place (and I sort of did in my 20s), as time passes your tastes may change.  I know mine did - drastically.  Back then I was a u-curve kinda guy, and probably a bit of a bass head.  I remember when we were young we'd re-EQ material to pull some mids out & boost the bottom & top.  These days midrange captivates me.  I still love a full range sound, but natural detailed mids have become my happy place.  I dig controlled textured bass & smooth refined highs also but the mids take me where I want to go.  It's the polar opposite of how I listened all those years ago.

I guess my point is the journey is one of self-discovery.  It took me 40 years to figure out what I wanted - and I realize it could change again at any moment.  That said, I wouldn't trade the journey for even a perfect system (our unicorn) - the journey itself has been (and continues to be) a big part of the fun.

The real trick is learning to pull your head out of your a** once in a while, bury the analytical side of it, and just enjoy listening to music.  Unfortunately, we all end up falling down that upgrade-itis well once in a while.  LOL

I changed my amplifier and it changed the entire sound signature of my system. Had to move speakers and reintegrate the subwoofers to dial it back in.

Had no idea one component could make such a drastic difference on the presentation of the entire system.

Thanks Sean, great advice as always, you've been a reliable source of info for us all since the beginning! Sheer awesomeness, thanks again!

Really digging your more recent videos, Sean. Explaining things about audio that I wish others would talk about. No “gotchas.” No “spend more money.” No hate. Great work.

agreed with many of the posters... we need more Sean in 2023!

Your passion for audio and the way you inform your viewers is second to none. I always search your videos before I consider buying.

Even though I doubt you will see this comment, thank you for this video.

I am building my first good system. I'm approaching 60. I have always wanted a nice stereo system. It definitely was a thing among people in my age bracket back in the 1970s/1980s. The thing is, after a lifetime of scrimping and being necessarily cheap with myself because of financial considerations, now that I am finally making a decent dollar I keep second guessing myself.

About 15 years ago I Gumped my way into a broken Pioneer SX-1250. I bought it for five dollars and a used Antec computer/server case. It was a good case, but still.....

Two years ago I finally took it to a shop and got it sorted (for the most part, but that's a whole different story). I have been running it through a pair of Klipsch KG4s. It sounded OK, but the treble was harsh and the bass lacking. My father, however, loved it. So, I am giving him the KG4s, a Dual 502 turntable, a JVC CD player, and a Sony receiver I picked up so he can have an OK system in his dotage. He listens to Grieg and 50s doowop. I think that setup will serve him well.

To replace the KG4s I bought a used pair of Vandersteen Model 2Ce Signatures (series i) two days ago. I auditioned them at the sellers house and had to take them home. I have never heard anything like those speakers in my life. I was completely blown away.

I have spent the last two days looking for preamp/power amp combos that would put the total cost of amplification and speakers @ $1500, allowing me to sell the SX-1250 and end up with a very nice system for $0 net cost to me. If I could get more that might finance a good turntable as well.

Your advice makes sense to me. I love the SX-1250. I love the Vandersteens. I'm just waiting on some adapters to get the Vandersteens hooked up to the Pioneer. I think my best bet is to keep what I have, get some peripherals that are good quality and chill for a while. If I stumble across a crazy good deal on a Krell or something, then maybe think about selling the Pioneer - but only if I have the Crazy Good Deal on hand and have tested it against my Pioneer/Vandersteen combo.

Thanks for the solid advice. I really appreciate it.

Thank you, Sean, great advice. In my vinyl days, I found that just a cartridge upgrade made a world of difference. Now that I'm in my digital days I applied that logic and I upgraded my DAC.
Same great result.

I think I like your channel so much is that you actually try to bring reason and strategy into the hobby.

There are a few You tube content creators that have a similar perspective to Hifi as I do... But I will say.... There's less bullshit here than any others.. I appreciate your levels of integrity Sean.👍🏻

Thanks Sean - just that one simple question - "what are you trying to accomplish with this new purchase?" really made me realize that my "hobby" was turning into impulse purchasing without really thinking.  More importantly, my purchases weren't really bringing me joy, because I wasn't taking the time to really listen, test, tweak my new purchases.  To me, the listening, testing, tweaking is really the fun of the hobby.  I was purchasing to relieve anxiety, not to have real fun.  
Luckily, I'm cheap and my purchases haven't impacted my financially, but it's time to stop purchasing, and start enjoying!

Wise words Sean. Had the same amp for 20 yrs but added a tube pre. The phono section was so much better I’m now chasing the best phono pre and carts😊

Great advice Sean. I also come across people who want a change because of ergonomic reasons (for example an annoying remote, lack of inputs or even a poorly designed volume control) or even appearance. It’s such a shame to hear people say that they spent X and it’s not as good as before.

Hey Shaun, great to have another video from you. I think you’re one of the most trustworthy reviewers on the ‘tube. Both from your expertise/experience and integrity. I really appreciate your understanding of both the industry and the consumer.
 Obviously it’s a lot of work to do what you do with a channel like this and you need to do what’s best for your life, but, just so you know, your content is one of a few that’s at this level. It’s been very helpful to someone who enjoys hifi but doesn’t have near the knowledge of many.
 Hope you are feeling better. Thanks for the great videos

Zero Fidelity thanks for another great educational video. Guys........since Sean does not mention it enough we can take turns to remind everyone....IF YOU LIKE THE VIDEO PRESS THE LIKE BUTTON...couldn't help looking at the stats....9k views in 10 hours but only 800 likes. I bet more of us liked the video but forgot to press the thing!😀. Wish I could auto pin this.....

PDA for (Newbie) tips:
Don't forget the simple step to help bass or treble issues; tone control. Just 1 level up or down to either can make a moderate difference. Maybe not a complete fix but maybe enough to quell your gear lust for awhile. Also toe in or out your speakers a small bit to adjust treble issues. For bass; adding a sub woofer, moving it,simply elevating it or even raising its frequency coverage just 10-20 Hz can help with a fuller sound. Decent room treatment if possible can make great differences as well. It's actually key to overall clean sound.