Why do you upgrade?

[Iguana Man]

Simple question, lots of answers....

I find myself enjoying what I have but can't help feeling the 'bug'. I need (or 'want'?) the next cool thing but $$$ always gets in the way.

However, I do try to make sensible upgrades and not so much 'spontanious' ones....most times.

What is it about upgrading? What makes you 'do it' ?

(ps..the best answer gets a free dvd under $30 from Tom, uhhm make that Taxi....ok.....me)

Oh yeah....Morticia decides the best answer by the way. (maybe this will bring her out )

[tomdkat]

I upgrade at technological "boundaries".

I upgraded from a 20" analog TV to a 16:9 57" HD monitor.

I added a progressive scan DVD player to compliment my HD monitor.

I upgraded to a progressive scan DVD-A/SACD/DVD-Video/etc., player to gain DVD-A/SACD playback support.

I will upgrade to a HD player once the dust settles a bit and I'm not sure what I'll do about my TV, if anything.

Peace...

[Iguana Man]

Boundaries? Hmmm....good answer but how do you define said boundaries?

Do you mean after a 'certain' period of time when one tech is crossing over to the next so to speak? And reallly, if so....when is when?

[plissken99]

I upgrade when I see or hear something that can be improved upon, greatly. For example, I had a 36in Sony Trinitron, I loved it. Wouldn't have a rear projection TV to this day, and Pasma's are pretty but had way to many problems. Then I had to walk my dumb ass into a projection demo room, and then I had to upgrade, because it would improve greatly upon what I had, and goddamn it was cool.

As soon as it's safe to pick a new HD DVD format, I'll upgrade to that as well. As an example of when I don't. I have the Denon 3805 reciever, and I know I could improve the sound I get out of my speakers with seperate amps, however it wouldn't be enough of an improvement to justify the money and effort at this time...maybe later.

[SilentBob]

Well i really rushed into my Home Theater habit and have moments of splerging and others of restraint. I first started off wanting a new tv from my original 13 inch mono TV to something stereo. I bought a 25 inch tv from Zellers and loved it and was exited to hook up my games to it usings omething else then an RFU signal. I returne dit the next day because i didn't get my games to play on the TV and never bothered to read the manual to see i had to hit A/V button. Then i went to Future Shop and bought the same size TV but an RCA one becaus eit was a name brand i knew of. . . .and there was a RCA HTiB onsale as well. I didn't research to see if it was with DD and DTS but it was onsale (according to the flier) So i went and bought it and sure enough i was just happy to have it but was without DTS. So i did more stuf fon the boards on IGN and discovered these boards. So read soem things and everyone kept saying "DTS is better" and DTS is the way to go. I WANT DTS TOO!!!! So sure enough 10 months later i was already set to update my receiver to DTS and then EX/ES were mentioned. So i though i had my receiver set out and i bought a Pioneer receiver and brought it home and looked at the front and say no lableling of DTSES/DDEX. It wasn't on display in the store but i thought it was the one i had been told about on the boards. So i bought and returned the next day. A few weeks later i believe chlngr1970 and i had a talk about some brands and Marantz was brought up and sure enough i found one. Have been in love ever since with my 6.1 system. . . .but my friend just got a 7.1 system.


So i really have a hard time staying with the old when my friend is buying the new. Last year he bought $1500 in speakers and bought himself a 47 inch Panasonic CRT. Here i am stuck with a 25 inch stereo tv. I need to upgrade soon again and i have come close several times since last year from Projectors, CRT Proj on EBay and with Canada having Boxing Week sales i don't know how i was able to get by them. Especially when the prices were low and i pay 36 equal payments on my Future Shop card from the store. I signe don for their card which my frind said i should be able to get $3-4,000. I handed them some ID and gave me back a temporary card worth $7000 in credit :O

Plus i need a new center speaker and my video game problem isn't going away either. Bought a PSP and just got an XBOX360. Technology are like Pokemon . . . I Gotta Have Them All!!!

[JeffHanawalt]

I upgrade when it makes sense financially to do so, and when it will
benefit my DVD collection. Before Feb. 1999 I had a very basic "home
theater"- a Sony 32" tube TV, a laserdisc player, a low-cost DD amp,
and a set of primary speakers that just put out basic sound. Then I
received an insurance settlement due to a fire, and I immediately
upgraded to a newer version of the 32" tube TV, a Pioneer combination
laserdisc/ DVD player, a more powerful amp, and a good set of Paradigm
speakers for the front and center sound. This is the financial part. The benefit the DVD collection part happened 1 year ago. As my collection
grew to over 500 titles, and as I would occasionally browse in the Best
Buys and Circuit Citys, I got attracted to the 16x9 big screen projector
televisions, knowing it would make more sense to watch my favorite films
on an updated monitor, and I bought a progressive scan DVD player about
3 years ago, so I was ready to make the jump to much improved video.
The Panasonic PT-43LC14 set caught me eye for picture quality, looks
and price tag ($2000 with free financing at Circuit City). Then I purchased
a Pioneer DTS amp, so right now I'm just a subwoofer short of having a
"complete" home theater.

[Pirate]

I actually have a very clear and honest answer for this, although you may find it to be more info than you wanted.

I live a fairly full life. I have a small tight knit group of close friends and a few very close family members. I have a full time job and career aspirations away from that job that I’m working towards.

But there is nothing in this world that I love more than film. Nothing. It’s my passion above all things. I don’t understand as much technical home theatre stuff as most of you guys do, but I know film. I understand it and 99.9% of the time there’s nothing I’d rather be doing than watching a film. I prefer to see most films alone, because I find other people to be a distraction. It’s almost like a meditation for me.

So, with all that said, the reason I upgrade is to get the purest experience. Nothing kills a film like dirt and scratches on a print or a poorly mastered DVD. So I get the best PJ I can afford and the best player, receiver and speakers (no Axiom comments Tom). When I hear that there’s something that might get me a little closer to that purity, I get the itch. The very idea and possibility of Blu-Ray and HD-DVD gives me chills.

I upgrade because I want my setup to be so good, that I don’t notice it; if that makes sense.



-PH

[Wirehed]

I upgrade because I can.

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by Seamonkey

I upgrade because I can.

Hey, short and sweet - good answer!

Oh, before I forget, I found some nice amps for you. The GTR-800 Platinum monoblocs are perfect for someone like you!

[Wirehed]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Oh, before I forget, I found some nice amps for you. The GTR-800 Platinum monoblocs are perfect for someone like you!

Yeah, those are almost perfect. But what if I need more than six? I'll be really screwed for any future formats.



I suppose I should explain it's a means toward an end. piratehunter sums up my feelings pretty well.

[Morticia]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

(Oh yeah....Morticia decides the best answer by the way. (maybe this will bring her out )

Here it goes --

I used to upgrade just because "I can" but I've found other, even more ethereal ways to fritter away my money. But boy, do the memories last!

Hardware-wise, I upgrade when the new features are so *whoa whammy* that I can't possibly live without em.

Currently I'm awaiting a RAZR-sized cell phone that is a smart phone and takes 5MP pictures and 26fps video.

[firestorm]

Technically, we have not done many upgrades. Once my wife finished school, and our desposable income established, we finally started making purchases/upgrades.

That said, most were out of "necessity" to fill our (or my) desires. A 19" screen is too small, thus had to be replaced, and a 2 channel integrated amp is far from suitable for HT. Too many remotes led to consolidation to a single universal programmable remote with macro capability. A piece of junk Sony DVP-S360 led to a new DVD player. We didn't have a center, so we bought one.

Much of this is also fed by my uncle, who is an avid audiophile. Both his HT and 2 channel rigs have had a big influence on me. This has at least made me far more selective than I would otherwise be. After hearing his 15" Velodyne, it would be hard to settle on much less. My lack of budget is what led me down the DIY path for that particular upgrade.

I also like an authentic theater experience (within reason obviously). While demoing some material a couple weeks ago, a friend said, "WOW, that sounds better than theater 1... seriously!" What a compliment!

Last... the best part of upgrading the hardware is that each one also upgrades all the software! When we bought the TV, the receiver, the center channel, the subwoofer, and now the front mains, we (mostly I) re-auditioned a large group of our movies and CDs. Each time, there is a new and exciting dimension brought forth. I think we all get acclimated to our current rigs, and grow to wish for more as well. Beit new features, gadgets, formats or pure upgrades to the next level up in quality.

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

Boundaries? Hmmm....good answer but how do you define said boundaries?

When a new technology is introduced. I won't "upgrade" one progressive scan player for another that doesn't support a new technology (like DVD-A/SACD or something like that) but I will if it does and the price is right (and I like the features it has, etc).

Peace...

[med]

I upgrade to make up for all the time later in life when I won't be able to...


One day, I may have a wife. And soon after that day, I'll buckle under the pressure and "upgrade" my Paradigm Studios to some "pretty" little silver cubes.

Have to do it while I can

[sub780lime]

usually necessity, components get old, may have a bad motivator, usually i try to old on and continue to use whatever i am replacing, right now i want new fronts, better fronts, i have B&W for rears, but still use some older Polk Audios for my fronts and i would like to pick up some similar B&W, the other thing is my reciever, while it works ok, i want one with atleast 6.1 and an HDMI input know that i have the player and the TV.

[Sycho]

Originally Posted by Morticia

Currently I'm awaiting a RAZR-sized cell phone that is a smart phone and takes 5MP pictures and 26fps video.

Whats the reasoning for the 26fps video? 30fps would be better

[tomdkat]

Originally Posted by Sycho

Whats the reasoning for the 26fps video? 30fps would be better

Well, 26fps is all they really need since those other 4fps are just fluff anyway....

Peace...

[Sycho]

Originally Posted by tomdkat

Well, 26fps is all they really need since those other 4fps are just fluff anyway....

Peace...

touche