When I find my self listening to music and being distracted by the 'sound' of the audio system. Makes me wonder about my priorities. I'm in one of those stages this week - I'm focusing more on the system resolution and not so much the actual music I'm listening to. Hopefully this will pass before I do. :-) |
i could easily see that if you were a) single, b) older, c) without music industry bona-fides, and d) trying to get laid...this hobby not help at all. Fortunately, i'm only b and d.
It took over the living room of our new too-precious-to-us home. Front-and-center: a noobs altar of audiophila.
Had to reign it in, mostly by retreating to more private spaces. But still, made me think for a minute there.
bd |
When I found myself spending more time reading about gear then I did listening to it. Sick, but it shocked by out of my gear lust.
For a while anyway......... |
I have said this in other threads, but let me repeat: exotic, expensive audio gear strewn about devil may care bachelor pads never hindered and always helped me to meet hot girls, including my wife.
If you think your audio equipment is hurting your social life, it's not. You might take a closer look at your personality and furniture, and/or hire a housekeeper.
The only thing that might ever make me reconsider this obsession is broken or in need of service components which weigh a ton, and incur gigantic shipping and repair charges when sent to overpriced service technicians.
Generally, however, this is still a lot of fun, even > 30 years after I started.
|
CWlondon, it is a mixed blessing. After I'm a little taken aback by her initial comment, she dives into it ("what are those, light bulbs?"...).
Art |
Hendrix.... He sounds just like Lenny Kravitz.. that. we listened to last night. Can I have it now? |
Happily married with three grandsons which means there's no need to impress the ladies.
What makes me rethink this hobby though, and it happens quite frequently, is questions such as "which $1K power cable for my preamp will increase soundstage depth?" Or, "I installed $50 fuses in my cdp and the difference is amazing."
Drive me absolutely nuts. WTF are you doing listening to a pc/fuse? Listen to the freakin music.
OK, I feel better now. :) |
ider when i go to online banking to transfer funds to checking so i can make an impulsive internet purchase and look at the sad story my account is. ha |
Is she THAT much younger than you? ;) Seems like there several facets to this. lol |
Baka1969 makes a good point, Art. |
Most recently, yes, a little less than half my age.
My nephews girlfriend. They stayed over a few days and I showed them San Francisco and Napa.
I told her about www.audiogon.com to pass the info along to her Dad.
And yeah she did find the tubes intriguing.
Is the whole idea of having a stereo system - a rack with components plus separate speakers, maybe a subwoofer - skipping the younger generation? |
I bought my oldest grandson an old Harman Kardon receiver and a set of speakers to keep the dream alive. Source is an ipod through the aux input.
His mom yells at him to turn it down on occasion. Payback. |
Something the younger iPod generation would appreciate would be a dock like the Fatman iTube that was available a few years back. Add quality desktop passive speakers and they, themselves, can experience the magic of tubes. With an iPod!! |
"Is the whole idea of having a stereo system - a rack with components plus separate speakers, maybe a subwoofer - skipping the younger generation?"
No, I don't think so. I got into this hobby in college and am now 29, and I have some audiophile peers. There will always be young people who have a deep love of listening to music, and for that reason there will always be those who venture down this path to make their music-listening experience better.
The newer gadgets don't necessarily detract from hi-fi. On the contrary they can offer new channels of getting into hi-fi. For me it began with HT and "surround sound", then SACD. For others I know, it was splurging on $80 Grados for their iPods. From there it's a slippery slope. |
