The need for variety and endless search for new details

You make some great points.

I think detail chasing can be a fools game. Although it may simply be the first stage of pursuing high quality audio, along with slam. In many ways the most obvious characteristics. Once you get lots of detail… and these days it can be gotten pretty cheaply, many folks move on to the the many numerous other characteristics that one needs for a system to sound great. There is a great amount of experience needed to figure out what you want… so some changing is required the get the experience.

For me, knowing what I wanted came from steeping myself in live acoustic music for over ten years and listening to it like an audiophile. Not everyone has the time or interest to do something like that. But for me I don’t want my system to sound different… I worked for decades to get a system that sounded exactly like it does. This by no means is this right for you or anyone else… it’s just me and my personality. There are lots of ways to enjoy this pursuit.

I really like the idea you brought up about variety. In the days when buying an album was a significant investment. I remember times when I would look forward for a week or two to going out and buying an album I wanted. Greater appreciation of the small library you owned could be a driving factor or system change… making the library new. An artifact of music ownership.

Now with virtually unlimited access to music with streaming, I find that I get tremendous variety through new music… in fact I seldom listen to music more than two or three times any more.

@erik_squires

I hope you don’t mind me addressing only the variety question.

In the recent thread-war between those arguing about whether streaming is better than cds, a comment was made by one of the streaming advocates that denigrated those who favor physical media for being content to listen to the same music, over and over again. The implication seems to be that we must be mentally deficient because we are somehow content without constantly being inundated with mass quantities of new music. We’re too dumb to recognize that more is better.

There have been, from time to time, guys who’ve reported they’ve abandoned streaming because over time, they became like people who never sit down to a full meal; who simply snack on this and that throughout the day. In other words, these guys claimed streaming had habituated them to listening to tracks, rather than albums, and in the process, listening had become much less satisfying.

There is a part of the brain that, given free reign, will obsessively seek out a quick fix, and will never be satisfied.

I’ve mentioned before that with age, I’m finding it harder and harder to find new music that really grabs me. I spend a couple hours each day on Spotify exploring unfamiliar artists and it’s rare that I encounter anything I like enough to buy. One reason for this is my demand like any album please me in its entirety. If I feel.ambivalent about two songs out of twelve but love the other tracks, that won’t keep me from buying it, but that’s actually pretty rare. I wouldn’t buy a book of art reproductions, a novel or a book of poetry if I didn’t like it in its entirety, either. Nor would I patronize a restaurant and order a plate of food if I only some or what was on the plate. Just the way I’m wired.

@stuartk  Indeed, services like Spotify have really changed music culture, without a cultural reason.  The way Spotify and other streaming services work is based purely on the economics of the owners.

Like Ticketmaster, middlemen who don't actually make value are telling the world what to listen to.

@erik_squires

I forgot to mention that that part of the brain that habitually seeks one quick fix after another actually gets in the way of my listening to what I already have. It will "tell me" there’s nothing on the shelves in front of me that will satisfy me -- that I’m thoroughly bored with it all-- when in fact this is simply not true! I find that if I pull out something I haven’t heard in a while, it will be usually be gratifying. I’m not at all convinced that fueling this part of my brain with more and more "variety" would be a positive thing. At the same time, I'm not suggesting this syndrome affects others. 

Like Ticketmaster, middlemen who don’t actually make value are telling the world what to listen to.

Just like social media moguls who are solely focused upon content that attracts the most "likes" regardless of how much "value" such content offers or indeed, regardless of how damaging it might be?

Another perspective is that "variety" = "novelty" and it applies to music and gear. We become aware of something new and want to experience it rather than repeat an experience we've already had. But it's a trap! Occasionally the New Thing is worth the experience, but the novelty wears off. The things I treasure are those that have stood the test of time and don't depend on novelty. 

 "I’m hearing things I’ve never heard before!" is a key phrase. The problem is that it’s not really better, it’s just different. 

Well, not always.  Some times it really is better.

I keep thinking having 20/20 vision would be better but now I’m starting to wonder. All that detail could be distracting.  🥸

I have chase details sound thru components , and silver cables, speakers. Detail sounding is good if it’s balance and it goes with the music.One time I have system with amazing detail but works only on strings, once I played jazz it will drive me crazy. 

@mashif 

Another perspective is that "variety" = "novelty" and it applies to music and gear

Yes; This is exactly what I was referring to.  I guess it's a matter of finding a balance. I do continue to search out and discover new music I like, which could be seen as an expression of a desire for novelty. On the other hand, that same desire has, at times, caused me to dismiss what I've already heard in order to chase after "something better".  

I've never had tons of cash for chasing audio gear and my room is definitely less than optimal. My focus is, what's "good enough". 

I’m concerned about fellow enthusiasts chasing an illusory "better" without fully understanding what they are looking for.

Science doesn’t have to be the enemy. Technical CAN be our friend, haha.

Cdc’s observation of audio:

"While differences can often be heard quickly, preferences can take a lot longer.

What gets me are $30,000+ speakers than can’t get even the basics like flat F-R right. I do not think they are doing it on purpose. More like they are not able. I see that way too often. And with super expensive speakers, really is no excuse for that.

As I have related before my diabolical experience with EQ. Once I had that power, I couldn’t listen without the compulsive need to EQ each album or even each song.