Does it ever bother you

I was a music lover 1st and foremost, then the high end audio fan 2nd. I agree with you taters :-). It never ceases to amaze me at how eclectic some peoples musical tastes are, more so than the systems they play there odd selections on. I think these are the people you speak of. LOL.


Matt M

Matt, I was wondering if the works of the composers mentioned in the second post shown here might be among the "odd selections" you referred to.  As well as the works of a great many other classical composers whose works have been issued on the record labels listed therein.

Regards,
-- Al
  

Yes agree with taters.Whenever I suffer through a long tech deep dive I ponder my theory: they've never heard Fela Kuti.

Technical knowledge is very important to be able to maximize the performance of your equipment.  90% of audio performance can be explained and or measured, with the remaining 10% subjective and preference. 

If your question is towards technical jargon with respect to music theory, composition, interpretation used to describe the music (not the sound quality), then I agree with you statement manly because I am not well versed in that area.

It only bothers me if what is said is nonsense.

It always helps when they give a point of reference so you can relate to what they say, but it doesn't "bother" me.  Some people are technical oriented some are music oriented.  If they get excited about technical aspects so be it.  It does "bother" me when people make generalizations about music types not being worthy of high end audio, but that's another discussion.

Some people are technical and some not.   If not tech-speak may as well be a foreign language.  But one worth learning something about if your goal is good sound for reasonable cost.

I’ve learned advice from folks who listen to rock is often not useful to me for the classical I listen to. As I imagine advice from me is not worth much to them .

Much depends on the context of the conversation. Some issues require tech detail much of which flies over my head. But oftentimes the type of music is helpful to reinforce the points they are trying to explain. In my case, although I don't listen to much classical or rock for that matter, most of us are at familiar with the various genre to understand the point being made. Only when condensation creeps in does it get a bit old. Interesting conversation. Thanks, Dave 

Over 35 years ago I was an audio salesman, on commission only, at a high end shop in DC.  After I got somewhat "seasoned", I noticed that I could sell fairly easily to people who loved music and most of the time I was wasting my time dealing with those who loved the equipment, but hardly ever bought any.

This is in 1979.

I'll never forget a group of these equipment freaks telling me that they were going to hold off buying any equipment until "digital" became available.  Since it was a slow day, we talked and I thought there was a possibility of "going digital" with sources and amps (up to the point of driving speakers), but I couldn't see how speakers could become "digital"...we almost had a bar fight on our hands!

"Only when condensation creeps in does it get a bit old."     Yeah, I just hate it when conversations get drippy.     

Active monitors that accepts digital input is about as digital as it get’s. Then PWM class D direct to drivers.

I think what really bothers me (just a bit) is the excessive taking about the gear. Period. With or without referring the music they listen to. Equipment is something that should be shortly presented and described, but some folks simply like to discourse endlessly and far beyond the reasonable - about equipment. A good example are cables reviews: too much talk.
I am, always was, totally into music. Since I was a little kid, music always rocked my world no matter what kind it is, classical or rock. Then comes the equipment (and yes, I also drool and dream with lots of components), but music comes first. And being a music lover and having studied music and played some instruments, I enjoy listening to many styles of music -from classical to pop, to folk, to hard rock, etc. And I can assure you that most of the musicians and people that have a real knowledge about music tend to be this eclectic. That's why I don't get the comment from Mattmiller about eclectic musical tastes. What's odd about enjoying Rage Against the Machine as much as Chopin? It's all music!
By the way, someone referred Fela Kuti; that's funny because I already had the chance to watch him perform for more than one time (in Portugal).