2. misc-audio
  3. 1046380127

How to respond to those who say it's not a hobby?

I only recently started to get into audio and, although my system is definitely not in the high-end category, I like to think it's a lot better than the components that were replaced My better-half was quite accepting of the initial purchase of a new integrated amp (NAD C370), tuner (C420), speakers (KEF Q5) and interconnects (VDH D-102 III). She definitely heard an improvement over our previous gear.

However, she is now quite opposed to the upgrading of the CD player and the addition of a second amp (bi-amping). I've mentioned that it will likely make a great improvement to our listening enjoyment and hinted that this is a new hobby for me. Essentially, her response was that "spending hundreds of dollars on audio equipment does not qualify as a hobby", since I don't actually create/build/assemble any of it.

Any thoughts out there about how one might respond or convince the nay-sayer otherwise?
mghcanuck

Showing 2 responses by paulwp

paulwp
585 posts
 
Your wife is right. Save your money. Or spend it on something you can build or assemble, like a tube amplifier from a kit.

I agree that buying stuff is not a hobby. Tweaking, tuning, cleaning records, aligning and realigning phono cartridges, I guess qualify as a hobby. But not buying amps and cd players.

I'm still undecided about stamp collecting. I guess if there is some research and work that goes into finding the things you buy, it's a hobby. But I don't think modern audiophilic consumerism qualifies.
paulwp
585 posts
 
Man, you guys just won't let up. What's to be defensive about? Sure a hobby is anything you spend your time doing that you don't get paid for, but not by Mghcanuck's wife's standards. Her idea of a hobby is something you do with your hands or your mind, not your pocketbook. My advice to him is she's right. Save your money.

My hobby is rearranging my speakers. I spend hour after hour with tape measure and spl meter and test discs. Fascinating how an inch one way or another makes such a difference.

Some guys are on an endless quest for old second hand lps in thrift shops. That's a hobby.

Trying to find the cheapest good sound you can get, that's sort of interesting.

But just going out and buying more and bigger and better rated by the buff mags or, worse, online self-styled reviewers? That's not much of a hobby.
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