In any case, yeah, it’s a common trope that audiophiles are more interested in chasing quality of sound than quality of performance, but that’s a pretty unforgiving perspective.
It was very talented musician and recording engineer, Alan Parsons, who once said, "Audiophiles don’t use their equipment to listen to music.Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment”.
Well, he was wrong, when he said it.
It is flawed in several ways.
1st, it seems to be an example of the "no true Scotsman" fallacy. "I am an audiophile that always puts the music 1st. The gear is a tool to hear the music". "Well then, you aren’t a true audiophile. Audiophiles put the sound of their gear 1st".
2nd, is it seems to be creating a false dichotomy. Either, there are music lovers, or their are audiophile. If you are one of the above, you can’t be the other.
But here’s the thing. For 90% of the time when I listen to music, I hardly pay attention to the gear at all. I am completely involved in the music.
But, that’s not to say, for an hour or two a week, I can’t have loads of fun only paying attention to the gear. Swapping out gear, repositioning speakers, moving my room treatment around a bit, only playing audiophile approved recordings, etc., etc.
And finally, for the subset of audiophiles that do enjoy the gear more than the music itself... Why should anyone care how they enjoy the hobby?
I am a pretty regular poster on various audio forums, and there seems to be a feeling of superiority among those who claim audiophiles only like the gear. These same people will also claim not to be audiophiles, despite having quite high end systems.
All that being said, the essay itself was a fun read.
“Your first example of commenting on the sonic clarity is akin to someone watching a video clip of a particularly poignant event of movie commenting on the video quality.”
In any case, yeah, it's a common trope that audiophiles are more interested in chasing quality of sound than quality of performance, but that's a pretty unforgiving perspective.
@edcyn Agreed. It's equivalent to asserting that audiophiles cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. It's a derogatory comment, dressed up in jargon.
Thanks hilde45 for providing a link to the article. In any case, yeah, it's a common trope that audiophiles are more interested in chasing quality of sound than quality of performance, but that's a pretty unforgiving perspective. In any case, I ain't one of those "sound-o-files.". It doesn't hurt that I have more than a few recordings that give me both. Not only can I have my cake, I can regularly eat it, too. Having both is an unadulterated treat.
And you also nailed how Audiogon (and USAM) completely enable many of us, as you wrote, go from recreationally using to full-blown addiction, helped by Paypal Credit and Affirm financing.
One has truly crossed the addiction Rubicon when they start paying triple digits (or more) for things like speaker wire and DACs.
Very fun to read and to feel the empathy! You put into more words the adage that many audiophiles use music to listen to their system. And you also nailed how Audiogon (and USAM) completely enable many of us, as you wrote, go from recreationally using to full-blown addiction, helped by Paypal Credit and Affirm financing.
Your first example of commenting on the sonic clarity is akin to someone watching a video clip of a particularly poignant event of movie commenting on the video quality.
Or like when someone posts a link to a piece they wrote that details an experience many of us here on this forum have had, only to have many members smugly snark about a social media site.
This analysis suggest that an audiophile is merely a gear chaser,
Alas! it is true for many , but not for all, at least not for me...
The three embeddings controls, mechanical, electrical and acoustical and not the least but very much important in a small room, the psycho-acoustical control...Yes they are 4 like the 3 musketers...These controls exceed in improvement together most upgrade of any gear piece...
Then some audiophile like me listen music now without bothering themselves with elusive perfection or useless upgrades...
I am in the same situation than the article writer....But perhaps more satisfied because upgrade is not an attractive option now....
My system value is 500 bucks think about that....This is the power of embedding controls...
I know my system is lacking. I know a change is gonna come, yes, it will. But for now, I couldn’t be bothered. I am too busy listening again and again
And a final thanks for the info about this persian artist...It seems the writer ans me partake the same musical tastes...😊
I am too busy listening again and again to a young Turkish musician, Sedat Anar: who plays an Indian instrument, the Santoor,
«When music shine there is no more sound, only silent meaning»- Anonymus suicidal and perfectionist recording engineer
Excellent piece! Very well written.
In my case I was a classical pianist who had a hi-fi loving friend.
Long story, short, he influenced me , and I soon became more interested in the sound than the music. I couldn’t believe the fact that I wasn’t really listening to the music anymore.
This was a very long time ago. And still fighting the battle.
I paid a Hi-fi dealer, Tim Nguyen, $250 to visit my home and recommend the components I should buy from his store.
I know Tim, I've bought from Tim several times, and he's a good guy. He makes his living selling gear retail; you sound surprised that he recommended gear that he sells. Why would you expect otherwise?
@essrand thanks for sharing. I understand you, my audio-gear-addict brethren. The comment (analogy) about how discovering A’gon was spot on. It is like a superhighway of gear access one in which I have accelerated massive gear swapping binges many times over the 15 years since I discovered it. O well it’s better than actual drugs, lol. When upgrade fever strikes, take a walk, go for a run, bike ride, pray, etc., whatever until it passes. When it sounds great, leave it alone.
Thanks for sharing, I enjoyed your well-written missive. I for one, use any change of gear as an excuse to listen to music, again, and discover new things -- if discovery there is. Listening mostly to classical, I appreciate the nuances that come to the surface as a result of better SQ.
I have been an avid classical concert-goer with a penchant for accuracy in sound reproduction. Early on I had access to gear on loan which helped me make upgrades most of the time -- rather than changes. Nevertheless, I have changed 9 pairs of speakers, 11 power amps, 6 pres... and auditioned scores of others at home for extended periods of time. Strange though it may sound, the advent of superior sounding digital helped me close the TT upgrade anxiety! Regards
Very enjoyable piece. Thanks for sharing. What would be interesting as a follow up would be some explorations as to what lead you to this path in the first place. Some never overcome their technophilia about audio equipment; others never succumb to it. Since you came out the "other side," so to speak, you now have an opportunity to explore why you entered it to begin with. What would probably result would be something philosophical, spiritual, and even psychological about the needs that lead people into what some call an "addiction." That would be interesting to read. Cheers!
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