I read a lot of threads about people downsizing because they are tired of all the boxes and cables. Or they just fancy a change. Or it doesn’t suit their new living arrangements. That feels like a progressive change.
But downsizing because your business/work situation has taken a turn? This is something I might have to face up to very soon, and it doesn’t feel progressive at all! I guess it’s far from uncommon though.
These are really tough times for a lot of poeple right now, and I thought I might not be alone in possibly having to face up to a new and more modest lifestyle. It’s scary in all sorts of ways, but talking/typing about it kind of helps. And I’m sure others will have been through this situation before, and managed to adpat and continue listening to and loving great sounding music.
It’s not such a big deal downsizing IME. You will still enjoy music with a smaller system if you use your experience in what makes music swing and find synergy.
I know the feeling well and my wife and I have been through it some years ago now. I’ll spare you the gory details but just to say that for financial necessity alone we downsized from a pretty good Naim system (CDS3/252 etc.) to a Denon micro system! It may seem like total disaster but actually it was perfectly possible to still enjoy music. Bit by bit over the next few years we built up a good system again, but only really got to where we wanted to be again around six years ago when we retired and got our pensions. There were dark days for sure but we came through it OK. The important thing is that we still enjoyed our music, even on that little Denon. We still have one in the kitchen which my wife uses literally all the time she’s in there and she absolutely loves it despite our superb lounge system of Moon/Chord electronics and Klipsch Forte III speakers.
I would say that fear of the unknown and worry are your main adversaries. The reality almost certainly won’t be as bad.
After 12 years in the same house (the longest I’ve lived anywhere!), we’re moving in the next month or two to a smaller house. Reasons are not terribly interesting, but fundamentally medical more than financial.
Probably not going to have to downsize the HiFi (lucky me, I suppose), but need to do a lot of chucking of other stuff so we can fit comfortably into the new abode. Children have almost completely left home, so a lot of it is easy wins, but it’s still time-consuming, hard work and emotional at times, when work and life generally continue regardless.
So, though our situation may differ from yours, I understand the unpleasantness of the uncertainty of the situation. Apart from taking one thing at a time and trying to distinguish things that are worth worrying about from those that aren’t (and those which one can positively affect from those that one can’t), I don’t have much sage advice. As much as you can, stay strong and calm.
We downsized because I had too many boxes and we’ve declutterred.
So went from about 5 boxes to a Star changed speakers as well and not looked back, the sound is fabulous even with my hearing aids.
If you had a serious health problem, possessions will become unimportant. They are just things which come and go.
Count yourself lucky you are not in that position, at least I hope you’re not.
As is, it’s just a first world problem.
You find me at the low end of Naim ownership, especially on this forum and let me tell you, I enjoy music, perhaps more so than some that will never be happy no matter what they own. You will too. (I had far more expensive systems).
I have been through a lot of ups and downs over the last 13 years or so since a divorce. Then losing my job after 20 years and forcing a change of career.
My brother suggested downsizing my system at certain points. I worked through debt, financial stress and never sold off my system.
I instead expanded, my system was my solace. I kept going and somehow found a way. I am self employed and at times things are all over the place. But somehow through perservarence things have worked out just fine.
I never listened to my brother on this matter, needless to say!
Keep your 500DR system @Stu299. Be strong and find another way!
The 82 Supercap 2 x 135s was my mainstay for 4 years and it is brilliant.
I can’t fault it. Hence, I kept it until I went 52 and 500DR and then 552DR.
Anyone needing to free up cash, this makes sense.
For me though, it would be a case of doing whatever is necessary to not downsize my system. Things are steady for me but always unknown in self employment.
I have never downgraded so far! I have had more debt than you can imagine. But when the chips are down I have come out fighting!
I am alright now! That’s all I can say. When the going gets tough, you need to get working on other areas to make things work for you. Downgrading was never an option for me!
Nope! You are so so wrong! For me my system was my solace during the last 4 years of Cancer treatment and looking at end of life. The forum helped me with support and @Richard.Dane provided a visit to HQ.
Those boxes have helped keep me alive! Maybe you are new to the forum. My answer to you is read up on my topics.
The Forum and the system has been one of the biggest mainstays of my life. I was given end of life and am now cancer free!
I don’t think you get it at all. I have family, friends, partners and so on. It’s more than that. Maybe you are not as in to your system as me and others!
I would personally never share personal information such as yours on a forum but that’s me. I am happy that you are (hopefully) cancer free and find support here.
I was given some sage advice by the forum around nine years ago. I’m not sure it’s applicable to you because you are a long way further up the Naim ladder than I ever was. But the gist of this post to you now is that this stuff hurts wherever you are and whatever the circs, so I am feeling for you.
