Ok, here is the deal. I have been a stereo junkie since high school - I had four or five systems before I left for college. For the last 10 or so years, the fetish has been dormant as I was "content" with the system I had. However, about a year ago my neighbor buys a new home theater system and invites me over to check it out. I was amazed by the sound and video quality from the DVD source. That was it, like a smoker having a single inhale, I was hooked again. Gradually I have been ramping up the quality of my system - you know how it goes - you buy a new amp, but then the speakers become the weak link in the system, so you buy new speakers (6 of them), but then the DVD player needs upgrading - the never ending upward spiral. Fortunately my wife has been tolerant, bemused, but tolerant. She enjoys all the electronic stuff, but doesn't understand why I "have to have" this or that, or why I spend half my waking hours reading about AV equipment. I am sure most of you can appreciate this situation.
Anyway, now I have my eyes on a plasma display - the Panasonic 42" (without HD). I work in Manhattan and have been to J&R, Circuit City and the Wiz about 10 times each in the last few weeks (no exaggeration)- Circuit City is right across the street from my office!
My problem is that I cannot bring myself to pull the trigger. My wife has given me the green light, but makes me feel guilty - do we really need it? aren't they still expensive, yada, yada, yada. Then of course I have developed my own concerns from reading this forum - buzzing noises, glare, burn-in, small children knocking it over, etc.
Therefore, I am turning to you, the similarly fanatic, to help me pull the trigger. Any words of encouragement you could give me are greatly appreciated.
Anyway, now I have my eyes on a plasma display - the Panasonic 42" (without HD). I work in Manhattan and have been to J&R, Circuit City and the Wiz about 10 times each in the last few weeks (no exaggeration)- Circuit City is right across the street from my office!
My problem is that I cannot bring myself to pull the trigger. My wife has given me the green light, but makes me feel guilty - do we really need it? aren't they still expensive, yada, yada, yada. Then of course I have developed my own concerns from reading this forum - buzzing noises, glare, burn-in, small children knocking it over, etc.
Therefore, I am turning to you, the similarly fanatic, to help me pull the trigger. Any words of encouragement you could give me are greatly appreciated.