Music lover or audiophile?


I think you have to decide, are you a music lover or audiophile?  I know the majority will say, both.
 I’m not so sure though. The nature of audiophilia is to get in there and fiddle with the tools, like any other hobbyist.  The difference in our hobby though is that presumably, our ultimate goal is to have the best musical experience we can get. The hobbyist is never really finished. The manipulation of the materials is the fun. The music lover, however, wants to get the most out of that esthetic experience.  
By continually plying materials, the audiophile is on an endless quest for better sound.
 After years of this quest, I’ve decided I can be a music lover or an audiophile.  I’m happy listening to my system now the way it is.  So, I’ve decided to be a music lover once again.
128x128rvpiano

Showing 14 responses by rvpiano

My point exactly.  Once you have found a place of contentment, there is no need to twiddle and replace.
You turn from an audiophile to a music lover.
Mahler123,

They wouldn’t be mutually exclusive if it weren’t for the addictive nature of audiophilia which can dominate the process of listening to the point that it totally cripples the enjoyment of the music.
I must give credit for my contentment to my wonderful equipment which, I guess, through my addiction finally came together so I don’t need to look further.
Truth be told, I still can’t listen to the music without having the sound enter into the picture.  The point is, I’m not looking to improve it.
Mahler 123,

Yes, you are indeed fortunate not to have been afflicted with that sorry addiction.
But, the good news is that I’ve decided to move on. 
And, for now, I’m in a very good place.  I actually created this post as a kind of manifesto celebrating my liberation.  Audiophilia, as I call it, to me was a destructive force in the way of enjoying my life’s passion.
Thank you for your suggestion, but I don’t think I need that hiatus now.

i think the problem is in our view of “audiophelia.”
I agree mine is a  negative one. To me, it carries with it an addictive quality, as is evidenced by the submissions of so many Audiogoners.
 But you are right in pointing out that not everyone may be so afflicted.
I just suspect it is endemic in the audiophile community. 
Correct.
Just reading the headline might lead one to believe it’s the “usual false dichotomy.” But reading the whole thread clarifies the full meaning of the declaration.
I’d like to modify my original post and concur with several of the contributors, including hifiman5 and the learned Prof, that seeking good sound and music are not mutually exclusive. Just as long as one doesn’t don’t get caught up in the addictive trap.  I have to admit that I still listen for the sound at least as much as the music.  Maybe it’s because my thoroughgoing search is over and I’ve found equipment that really does both well.
Prof,

Although I have several versions (sometimes double figures) of the same classical piece, I’ll often pick the best performance over the best sounding one to listen to.
In fact, a record is an artifact in itself.  Often, a good performance can be  under appreciated because of bad sound and conversely, a so so performance might be more attractive because of good sonics.
My original post was written because of my proclivity to getting too caught up in the sonics.
I must admit, despite what I’ve previously said, that lately I’ve been able to get into the music better with good sounding recordings.