Perspective

First-time poster, I really appreciate all the discussions and knowledge I’ve gained over the last few years here. With two kids in college and two more to go, my system is modest and currently one where I set out to create a vintage sound that I have always liked, more on that later.

Audio is not my only hobby (I have many), one being a lifelong road cyclist. What I will describe has stuck with me over the last two years and the dynamic crosses between audio and cycling. For those of you that are not familiar with cycling, this may give you a sense of what a non-audiophile feels like when we speak of our systems. In brief, I have a top-of-the-line road bike that I bought and tweaked in 2011. The base bike was the same as ridden by a team in that year’s Tour De France, a Cannondale Super Six Hi-Mod carbon fiber frame. It has Shimano full Dura Ace 7800/7900 component groupset, Thomson Masterpiece seat post, carbon Fizik saddle, Zipp 303 wheelset, and Look keo carbon pedals. A bit over $10K all in, at the time I received the same looks that sometimes happen when you talk audio prices with someone that doesn’t have the passion.

Like audio, what I paid for was quality, performance, and reliability. The bike has served me well and it's still used. That said, two years ago I needed a new chain. Shimano Dura Ace no longer makes 10-speed chains, only the newer 11-speed. God forbid I had to settle for a still outstanding but “lesser” quality Shimano Ultegra 10-speed chain, and the first time I took a ride with it I knew it! There was a barely perceptible micro delay in shifting between gears, but damn it, it was there! It was all I could focus on during the first few rides, and it ruined the joy. This is crazy I thought and forced myself to focus on the activity (riding a bike and all the wonderful things that go with it).

It made me think of music vs. equipment and how sometimes I find myself in the same trap of focusing on wishing for better and chasing perfection rather than the heart of the hobby for me, the music. If I’m honest with myself, I have lost joy in all sorts of pursuits because of this perfectionist dynamic. Does anyone share the same?

For now, I force myself to love the sound of fully restored vintage analog (Audio Classics certified) McIntosh C28/MC2155, TEAC X1000R Reel, JVC QL-A75 turntable with Ortofon red, Klipsch Quartets rebuilt with custom high-end crossovers connected via Analysis Plus Black Oval cables; newer digital front end is Node 2i going into a Mytek Liberty Dac (use an old NAD 5000 CD as a transport only), mostly AudioQuest Golden Gate interconnects. I know it's not high-end, however, it does bring me immense joy if I can focus on the wonderful spectrum of music it renders. Oh, I’m fine with that Ultegra chain now.