Listening to cheapo system to boost appreciation of your own system?

[Pezerinno]

I went round a friends place today and listened to some CDs which I wanted to borrow off him, he had a pretty standard 'dixon style' all in one system which I didn't think anything of at the time. When I took the CDs back to mine - wow, different sound completely everything just really came to life with notes that I couldn't hear on his system. It really made me appreciate my own hi-fi and I reccomend everyone to do it once in a while if you're anything like me who just gets used to the good sound and assumes a piece of music sounds like this to everyone.

Anyone that was pretty random post but I really was shocked by the difference

[Knightshade]

This sounds soooooo like a size thing.....
But yes, people don't know what they're missing.

[BenW]

I'm currently in 6th form and its really suprising how many people have no idea what they're missing. I have a pair of shure e2c earphones on my HD1 but i dont know ANYBODY else in the whole 6th form who uses anything other than standard earphones. Occasionaly i might share someone elses standard earphones and they really are shocking. Makes me proud to own something decent.

Will hopefully own some B&W 601 S3 soon too

[deaf cat]

Ahrrrr..... But then if you visit a friend with a far more decent set up than your own - and it takes you by supprise - your stuffed when you get home!!

No other option available other than to upgrade -> ££££££££.

However, it is interesting trying to spend a fraction of the price and attain a pretty close result......maybe better.......

[thepfy]

Definitely, you become accustomed to the quality of your system. Nothing like listening to a system making some of your favourite music sound awful to appreciate your system.

I never seem to find the time to listen to my hi-fi. It's a bit elderly but it's still half decent...

Nakamichi Cassette Deck 2
Rotel RCD 865 (One of the early bitstream players - won numerous awards)
Cyrus Two Amp + PSX
Cyrus 780 Speakers.

Can't remember what cables + the stands are.

My Dad has a slightly older Nakamichi and an early Rega Planar 3 which virtually never get used.