[TheChairGuy]

I've always loved the music...but, I think for the past 30 years I think getting the right 'sound' has been a distraction to actually hearing the music.  Knowing the distraction of this hobby...I even packed up my whole system for 6+ years to concentrate on new marriage, family and business matters 1994-2000.

Anybody else know what I mean? 

I'm far more tolerant of different 'sounds' now...whether it is my aging ears losing HF extension or a generalized state of happiness in my life because of goals I've set out for myself or something else.....I can now enjoy the music despite whatever format, system, speakers, amps, cables, et al it's being played thru (two exceptions are early redbook efforts and today's mp3.....it veers too much from an actual performance to qualify as music to me).

Oh, I still very much hear the nuances that different components and systems give off...I simply care less about it and can concentrate on the performance, the music, now  It's wonderfully freeing to be here after 30 years.

Tommy, who is married to my niece in Washington DC is a professional stand-up bassist.  When I lived there, we'd be over for something or another and he'd be playing some commercial CD or vinyl in the integrated budget record player it came with in his Emerson compact with cheapo speakers.  I would say to him 'you're a musician, exposed to live music several times a week for decades now....how can you stand that thing?'  He'd just shrug his shoulders and say he was focused on the music.  I couldn't hear the music for the crapbox of components he was playing on, but to him my comment was simply nutz. 

To him, music moved you or it didn't (he played classical and jazz only)...what it was played on had no bearing on whether you'd like it or not.  I'm not sure I'm as far along as Thomas is in musical appreciation....but, at least I understand his point better now   

The darn wacky Dakiom stabilizer on my CDP has me enjoying that in large measure now....and my vinyl front end sounds great.  I can even appreciate FM, static, limited range and all, now. 

May all of you now in the nether hell of upgrade-itis find a path to musical bliss....it sure is more satisfying here than there.

I'm not done with eeking out more performance from my system - it's just that I'd be just okay if it stopped here and there was no more.

Anyhow, this happy rant may sound oddball for some of you, but for others it may strike the right cord at the right time in your lives. I feel like I just completed some 12 step program for addicts of something or another 

Regards and bliss,  John

[low.pfile]

yes. I know what you mean. my excitement about a new album release is tenfold of a new amplifier launch.

[Tyson]

Good music can be appreciated even on the crappiest of equipment.  The thing I love (and strive for) in a high end system is the sense of physicality to the creation of that music.  The more I'm convinced of the human aspect of the creation of the music, the more I appreciate it as a part of my connection to my fellow man.  Without a good system, music becomes more "abstract", and I feel less connected to the people actually making it.

[jules]

  ChairGuy ... but I think that might be heresy here!

jules

[Bob in St. Louis]

Sounds like a bunch of crap to me. I don't buy it.   

Bob

[TheChairGuy]

ChairGuy ... but I think that might be heresy here!

jules

Could be...but, I'm okay with that, too 

I still have preferences in components and such...it's just I can still hear past the gear and into the performance or recording even if they are not played on my idea of an 'ideal' (rediculous, no?) set of gear.  It's quite a freeing place to be.

I mean, I was sick from the start.  At age 14 my first system was a Marantz 2216B receiver, JVC belt drive TT and ADC cartridge and some Lafayette Criterion 2002 speakers (followed by a 3D Acoustics 3D610B 3 pc speaker system).  Even then I remember fussing with speaker placement, changing out cartridges, etc...always doing things while the music played...instead of listening to it 

It's a fine and fun place to be now...just chillin' and enjoying the music 

[launche]

Good Soul, R&B & Blues music reminds me of this at every listen.  The inherent emotion is instantly communicated and there is little pretense.  When I go on a steady diet of such music I find that I don't think about hi-fi at all.  Awhile back I had to do that as an actual audiophile cleansing process.

[BradJudy]

Good music can be appreciated even on the crappiest of equipment.  The thing I love (and strive for) in a high end system is the sense of physicality to the creation of that music.  The more I'm convinced of the human aspect of the creation of the music, the more I appreciate it as a part of my connection to my fellow man.  Without a good system, music becomes more "abstract", and I feel less connected to the people actually making it.

While I agree with the first part, I disagree with the last sentence.  Today I took the train into town and grabbed my gym mp3 player (Sansa with JVC "marshmallow" earphones - a $50 audio rig) and was listening to the Garden State soundtrack walking to the station and on the train.  The music resonated much more with me to listen to it in that environment than it did to listen at home on a nicer setup. 

I kind of chuckled when I came back, the guy in front of me on the stairs out of the station was wearing a pair of Grados. 

[launche]

Good music can be appreciated even on the crappiest of equipment.  The thing I love (and strive for) in a high end system is the sense of physicality to the creation of that music.  The more I'm convinced of the human aspect of the creation of the music, the more I appreciate it as a part of my connection to my fellow man.  Without a good system, music becomes more "abstract", and I feel less connected to the people actually making it.

While I agree with the first part, I disagree with the last sentence.  Today I took the train into town and grabbed my gym mp3 player (Sansa with JVC "marshmallow" earphones - a $50 audio rig) and was listening to the Garden State soundtrack walking to the station and on the train.  The music resonated much more with me to listen to it in that environment than it did to listen at home on a nicer setup. 

I kind of chuckled when I came back, the guy in front of me on the stairs out of the station was wearing a pair of Grados. 

I absolutely agree BradyJudy's statements.  The MP3 player loses in reproducing the musicin its original form, event etc.....  But offers something so much more by allowing instead of recreating the musical moment, you can create a new musical experience because the music is mobile, the senses can play a bigger part.  Instead of closing your eyes and imagining a music hall, you can listen via MP3 player at the Grand Canyon and experience something altogether more interesting, unique and personal.

When the music becomes apart of ta larger experience, instead of the experience I find it to be something that is far more enjoyable. You can listen to the same song in your music room and not much is going to change except your mood and some minor musical nuance may be discovered.  But take that song along with you in your lifes travels and the song lives and breathes with every moment and sensory perception.

Maybe the kids are alright.

[Tyson]

I hear what you are saying, but to me the transparency of a good system really anchors a performance to a specific instrument (ie, hearing the woodiness of a cello or a stand up bass, or the reediness of various wind instruments).  That type of specificity doesn't exist on low end systems (that's the whole reason we buy the good stuff).  But the low end systems can still deliver the heart of the music, it's just more abstract and less tied to the physicality of the instruments and musicians creating it.

[rajacat]

Good music can be appreciated even on the crappiest of equipment.  The thing I love (and strive for) in a high end system is the sense of physicality to the creation of that music.  The more I'm convinced of the human aspect of the creation of the music, the more I appreciate it as a part of my connection to my fellow man.  Without a good system, music becomes more "abstract", and I feel less connected to the people actually making it.

While I agree with the first part, I disagree with the last sentence.  Today I took the train into town and grabbed my gym mp3 player (Sansa with JVC "marshmallow" earphones - a $50 audio rig) and was listening to the Garden State soundtrack walking to the station and on the train.  The music resonated much more with me to listen to it in that environment than it did to listen at home on a nicer setup. 

I kind of chuckled when I came back, the guy in front of me on the stairs out of the station was wearing a pair of Grados. 

I absolutely agree BradyJudy's statements.  The MP3 player loses in reproducing the musicin its original form, event etc.....  But offers something so much more by allowing instead of recreating the musical moment, you can create a new musical experience because the music is mobile, the senses can play a bigger part.  Instead of closing your eyes and imagining a music hall, you can listen via MP3 player at the Grand Canyon and experience something altogether more interesting, unique and personal.

When the music becomes apart of ta larger experience, instead of the experience I find it to be something that is far more enjoyable. You can listen to the same song in your music room and not much is going to change except your mood and some minor musical nuance may be discovered.  But take that song along with you in your lifes travels and the song lives and breathes with every moment and sensory perception.

Maybe the kids are alright.

So if you feel that way, why not just ditch your high-end system and quit engaging in any sort audiophile interests whatsoever? Be happy with your mp3s and an ipod or whatever.... 

IMO wearing headphones in public is socially isolating and separates you from your surroundings. In some ways too much time listening to music can eventually lead to burnout.

I like to reserve a period of time in the day predominantly devoted to listening to music. However, I'm not completely pure , I do like listening to music while working and cooking.

I also believe that the highest musical experiences are  live music, dedicated listening to your own tweaked system and playing a musical instrument


--Roy

[launche]

Well things don't have to be so absolute. They both offer something good, obviously mobile music is alot easy to enjoy.  The isolation thing isn't an issue really.  On my last vacation, I'm sitting on the rocks in the mist of a natural waterfall in Jamaica listening to some music with the waterfall running down my back, it felt spiritual.  Sorry, but there's no home audio experience I've had that even comes close, we are taking about living with music vs. being an observer.

[timind]

It sounds like you've come full circle. Why do we forget the early joy we found listening to music on our original, and usually crappy systems or car radios? Man the chills that were so common.
Unfortunately you will have to turn in your Audiophile Club membership card now.

[rajacat]

Well things don't have to be so absolute. They both offer something good, obviously mobile music is alot easy to enjoy.  The isolation thing isn't an issue really.  On my last vacation, I'm sitting on the rocks in the mist of a natural waterfall in Jamaica listening to some music with the waterfall running down my back, it felt spiritual.  Sorry, but there's no home audio experience I've had that even comes close, we are taking about living with music vs. being an observer.

Of course, I like music in the car also. Music can be enjoyed anywhere but some places are better than others.

Yes, that is a beautiful story. Did you listen, later to the sound of the water pouring over the edge that forms the waterfall? And the water gurgling down the stream too? Were there birds there?

--Roy

[TheChairGuy]

I have what must constitute one of the crappiest car systems of any near luxury car made in the past 10 years.....4 (terrible) speakers and a head unit that was AM/FM/Cassette (the cassette is now broken).

I don't know wth SAAB was thinking in 1999 not offering CD, at least, as standard on their base model (which, like most SAAB's is not a stripper otherwise), but that's what I have today. I never felt the urge to buy/improve any of my car systems...I guess I never felt the need to be entertained in my vehicle to be important. I've taken exhaustive measures to dial in the handling, however - for me, cars are to be driven (with gusto if you can), and not entertained in.

Talk radio and background music is/was all that was needed.

When travelling I had for many years either a Grado SR-60 headphone (re-wired with silver wire by Revelation Audio Labs) or a Westone UC2 canalphone ($250 or so) with a high end Kenwood or Sony Discman.  I haven't gotten around to getting an Ipod and downloading uncompressed files to it to enjoy on the road yet.  Not sure what I'm waiting for, but I should soon. I suspect I just don't value music while traveling or I'd have already done so 

But, the home system was always and forever preened, tweeked and prodded for better sound.....now, there is relative satiety between me and my system.....I hear what is there and focus on it, not what is or could be missing.

John

[SOM]

I've always said that if Born to Run blaring out of a cracked 4-inch car stereo speaker as you cruise down the highway doesn't give you goose bumps. then it *ain't* about the music!



(Unless of course you hate all things Springsteen)

[IronLion]

I can totally relate to this.  Despite how good my "dedicated two-channel throne to music" sounds, I still find it hard to beat the enjoyment of my portable music player in different places, especially while traveling.  There are things my portable player will give me through music that my two channel rig will never deliver, and vice versa. 

[launche]

I've always said that if Born to Run blaring out of a cracked 4-inch car stereo speaker as you cruise down the highway doesn't give you goose bumps. then it *ain't* about the music!



(Unless of course you hate all things Springsteen)

Yep,

Tom Petty's "Running Down A Dream" going 100mph down the highway under a big bright sun.

[sts9fan]

I feel glad that I have yet to get into the gear blur of the hobby.  I have no patience for switching stuff out and listening to the same song 20 times.  It does not intrest me at all.  I do have the attention span of a humming bird so that may be part of it.  I like cool good sounding gear but i won't put the effort in to get that last bit if it means being bored with the same song over and over.  For me it is and always has been about the music. 

[rajacat]

It sounds like you've come full circle. Why do we forget the early joy we found listening to music on our original, and usually crappy systems or car radios? Man the chills that were so common.
Unfortunately you will have to turn in your Audiophile Club membership card now.

As I said, if you don't find satisfaction in your "audiophile" rig, why bother with the high priced spread? Just get an ipod and some compressed music files and enjoy the simple life free of the audio neurosis. Perhaps the chills would come back. Would save money too.

--Roy