What is a great listening experience? Is it the sound? The music? A combination of both I expect. Audiophiles, when we obsess about the sound of our rigs, will play those familiar cuts, over and over, that we use for intellectual analysis of the performance characteristics of our systems. But I suspect a great listening experience to be more connected to our emotional response to the music. Rather than obsessing over the nature of the cymbals, the resonance of the bass, how about connecting to the artistic performance? - of new or unfamiliar music? Certainly, I, along with others I might assume, are guilty of the analysis posture - which might include assessing our diminishing hearing. But, on occasion, to relax and be open to music itself, might and can provide the possibility of the great listening experience. IMHO
Diminishing hearing ability?
I believe my biggest challenge in pursuing a great listening experience is my diminishing hearing ability. I have assembled a $50k system through Audiogon (for about $30k) that should knock my socks off. Once and a while it does but most of the time is less enjoyable than my first "higher end" $5k system 30 years ago.
Just had to remark because it's rather frustrating at times. Not that my hearing is that bad, it's just not what it had once been.
I suppose we're all challenged by this to varying degrees. Hmmm, anyone ever have an "ear tune-up" (short of a hearing aid)? May be the best tweak of all!!!
Just had to remark because it's rather frustrating at times. Not that my hearing is that bad, it's just not what it had once been.
I suppose we're all challenged by this to varying degrees. Hmmm, anyone ever have an "ear tune-up" (short of a hearing aid)? May be the best tweak of all!!!