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Room vs. Gear vs. time of life, ...and you?

This may hit home with a few that are of the "Boomer Generation"

Of all the very good to "state-of-the-art"(or near) systems I have had, I did have one I remember most fondly.  My thoughts on that system over time I have realized was most likely impacted by what was likely my best time of life. 
This is not crying in my soup, just my reality.  My three very best friends have all died, two from cancer.  I had my best house and room at that time and set the room up with a system based on the Magneplaner MG-20 speakers.  Other items in that system varied a bit except for the Conrad Johnson ART pre-amplifier.   My best of times listening to that system were with my best friend and some of the best wines from Bordeaux and California.  In retrospect those were not the good old days, simply hitting a high point, much like my physical health, cars, mates, travel and other parts of life can have moments that in retrospect become those "fond memories".   Part of my success in life has been having moments that do become fond memories. 
                                                                                     
jusam

Showing 3 responses by mijostyn

mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
@tvad , It sound's like you got a little farther along than I did.

How's about that Gavin Harrison?!
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
@mitch2 , you bring a very interesting question. When is it time to stop?

We evolve our systems over time and many of us have been doing it for many decades, trying to climb the tree of audio performance with whatever funds we have available. The top of the tree is an illusion, an unknown. Aside from running out of money or hearing is there a time to stop climbing?  (other than routine maintenance, the occasional cartridge) 
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 
If you get stuck in the past the future does not look very bright. Fond memories are one thing, living in the past another.

Between 10 kHz and 20 kHz is one octave. There are nine far more important ones below. Just because your highest frequencies are rolling off above 10 kHz does not mean that you cannot appreciate the highest quality of audio and if you have digital signal processing you can always boost the high end a little.

Technology advances although there is the occasional retro swing. The best modern systems are handily better than the best systems of 70's and 80's. I do remember one old system with fondness because it was so trend setting but current systems are handily better. 

I watched my father (passed away last November at the age of 92) ruminate over the loss of his friends and the sorry state of his health so much so that he entirely forgot how to enjoy himself. He was miserable to be around so people avoided him making things worse. I think that if you are lucky to make it that far you do your legacy a great favor by remaining as chipper and cheerful as you can which, can be very difficult at times. 
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