Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Yep! The worst thing that happened to me was that I learned how to listen to ’audio effects’ i.e. the cause/effect of imaging and frequency response. Hard to get off that train. One really needs to get a substitute. Exploring music I’ve never heard and ignoring claims of merchants and the ’experience’ of other ’audiophiles’ has helped a lot. Lots of DIY - if I can’t do it it doesn’t get done now. :-)

Dr. Jekyll sits back and revels in the sound surrounding me in synesthetic imagery. My Hyde starts to worry when the cartridge gets to the inner part of the vinyl, knowing there might be distortion  and smearing.

Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde left my listening room years ago and all that’s left is a very tired old man who finally got the system of his dreams, only to be ruined by going deaf. 

I’m usually Dr. Jekyll, feeling fortunate to know that my current system sounds better than any I have owned before. Mr. Hyde occasionally appears when I start to wonder what this or that would sound like in my system if I could afford it. I don’t go there very often..

When I first got into this hobby, I definitely focused more on the technical aspects of songs. Now, the only time I listen critically is if there's a component change. Not to say I don't like listening critically to spectacular recordings, of course I do as do most of us.

You know you've hit the sweet spot with your system when you just listen to the music. That said, I still like to find the best recorded versions of what I like to listen to but won't lose sleep if I can't since it all sounds very good anyway.

Great thread!  I battle with this too. 

I do find carving out some alone time just to sit is very helpful.  A glass of scotch and some cannabis can do wonders here too. Another thing I do if my Dr. J is getting in the way a lot is to deprive myself of listening for a bit.  I find that when I return, Mr. Hyde's jubilation dwarfs Dr. J's negativity!

@roxy54 

+1... and grateful!  

Just a needed correction:

Dr. Jekyll is the good guy.

 Mr. Hyde is the monster.