Concentration

My Experiencing an Audio System being used and the forming of Vocal and Instrumental Sound from the recording, which is what I refer to as the End Sound.

Is always the most enjoyable when I am experiencing the systems End Sound in the same way I would expect to be hearing Vocal and Instrumental Sound being created at a Live Event, which is to be in the Company of others and it is a Part of a Social get together.

My interest in recorded music is an extension of my interest in Live Music. It is my interest in Live Music that set me on the path to express an interest in recorded music and audio systems.

I rarely listen to the dedicated audio system alone, and when done it is more typically in the Months with Longer Nights. This is usually a listening activity to assess an audio device for how it has a synergy within the Audio System. My Spouse is quite content to be with me for a proportion of these periods, the Valves do add a few degrees to the Ambient, so are quite homely in that respect.

New Albums Purchased are usually debuted with my Spouse if she expresses an interest, or when guests are at my home or I am a guest at another's home.     

Hi Richard , Greetings from California. I’m hoping you have a great 4th of July and your health is holding up. For me I listen on different levels depending on the circumstances. Two weeks ago my wife and I attended Collective Soul live and we had front row seats. I sat in my chair and would intermittently close my eyes to focus with my ears on the music. My wife left her seat and was dancing up against the 4’ high stage.  At home I find my material is now more dictated by sound quality than context. In other words better sounding material is rotated in more based on sound quality. This is unfortunate at times because I’ve stopped listening to bands I like , for example “ The Moody Blues “. When I’m in the mood to be fully immersed in my music I sit dead center , upright , lights dim and play in the 79-90 db range. My current rig WAS low power tube and had that magical sweet spot and not much else. I am in the process of putting together a large system with 180 wpc tubes and big tower speakers. I’m now listening to music at higher volume and more often off axis. I now play music in the 95-100 db range while doing dishes or cleaning the house. I also have a headphone rig in my bedroom with Audeze planer headphones. Anyway that’s my two cents and wishing you the best, Mike B. 

Only your system can make you doubt the quality of your system. Enjoy the music

@buellrider97 

Hi to you!  
Best wishes for the 4th to you as well. 
I’m really enjoying my system after making some pretty heavy investments on the analog and digital side.  I think I’m done, but you never know.
Very good to hear from you!

Another great question. I find listening to music very rewarding in three ways. The most profound first.

1. Lights off, eyes closed. Opening my mind as in mindfulness meditation. Not focusing on the music... letting it in and emotionally connect. In a mental state somewhat like emptiness. For those not familiar with Mindfulness. I highly recommend the WakingUp.com web site. Sam Harris’s (Phd in neuroscience) site has a two week free intro... fifteen minutes a day for two weeks. No religion... but training on how to stop the constant stream of thoughts and let experience in. Incredibly worthwhile, even if you do not pursue beyond this. Let the music in and experience it. If anyone doesn't know what I am talking about... I highly recommend trying this. For an incredibly  small investment of time you can change your perception in a very positive way. 

2. More what I think you mean. Lights off, eyes closed and let your minds eye focus on the music... mover around in it. Experience it. 

3. While doing something. I paint and use my headphones every day. The music satisfies some real strong subconscious need allowing my to concentrate on painting. Working I used to use it to help my solve complex problems... it really facilitates it for me. I both enjoy the music... while not at all listening to it, and focusing my analytical side on something else. Great way of doing stuff.