Trained ears.

I agree that it can be taken too far. For me anyway. I do not wish to be come over analytical and I generally do not enjoy the time I spend listening to my equipment although some of that is necessary. It just not what I want my primary focus to be.

I can enjoy a song that i used to love way back when when it pops up on the oldies station while cruising through the country in my pick up with the windows open and that can be as meaningful and as enjoyable as an intense listening session with a high quality source of a moving piece of music.

I'm a bit of a gastronome and a fairly decent cook. But I can enjoy a can of Vienna sausages, a bag of Cheetos and a Budweiser too.

I’m a new audiophile but have always admired and recognized quality playback from the time I was a kid. I have a couple of thoughts in this matter based on what I’ve learned over the last 5 or 6 months that I’ve been into this.

First, all the advice above is good, of course.

Second, don’t worry about what other people like or say. I’m not saying not to accept wisdom and experience and good advice. Just don’t think you have to like what someone else says is good or feel bad about what someone else says is bad. It is about pleasure and entertainment.

Third, even without golden ears you should be able to differentiate some level of good vs bad. The first time I heard my system after it was properly set up I recognized its lushness, richness and clarity immediately. I could not have described what I was listening to but I knew it was good. Big Mac vs Bistecca Fiorintina (grilled slab of marbled Tuscon porterhouse briefly introduced to a searing open fire). Boone’s Farm Tickled Pink vs Amarone’ from Venice.

Fourth, as mentioned above, listen, listen, listen.

Fifth, don’t feel like you have to be an expert. Unless you want to be. Don’t feel like you have to hear every nuance, every system, etc. Unless that is you goal. Find out what makes you smile. Find out what makes you want to spend time in front of your system. Find out what gives you goosebumps or brings you to tears (in a good way). Those two might be the most important of all. Who cares if you can’t explain why it moves you, as long as it does.

Having said that, the more I listen the more I’m able to articulate what is important to me. I’ve got a long way to go, but that can be part of the fun too.

Right now my priorities seem to be strengths of the system I have. Coincidence? Probably. But those things are: tight, precise bass with separation between kick drums and bass guitar/stand up. Lack of boominess and muddiness. Round, full, defined soundstage (but not fanatical about 3D effects, etc. High frequencies that are not too bright or glaring or tinny. Mids that are rich.

That’s all I got. Guess I'm a cheap date.

@gosta : You bring up a good point in regard to transparency. For me that was one of the first things I was really able to articulate about what made me like hi-fi SQ. With my system the speakers disappear. It does not sound like the music is coming from a component or machine, it is right there in the middle of the room.If you close your eyes you forget about equipment and to me that is right up there at the top of my list of important things. And I still forgot to mention it above........

This one is also easy to test and does not really require 'golden ears'. Put on a well recorded song, medium volume. Stand up. Cover your eyes. Spin around a few times until you are disoriented and then try to locate the source of the sound. It should be somewhere between and out front of your speakers.

@tomic601 :  "Anybody posting on this board is off the deep end...."

Agreed. And when someone sees you spinning around with your eyes covered pointing at empty space this is confirmed.

@tomic601  :  "going to try it sober
first...."

Safer. But generally not as fun or revealing.