un-becoming an audiophile


Yes, the title is what is sounds like.

I remember long ago, as a boy, I used to be able to enjoy music without picking apart a track. is the bass tight? is the midrange clear and life-like? is the treble resolution spot on? What about imaging/sound stage?

Most people have this very same superpower - not being an audiophile. They can play a song from the worst earbuds, laptop speakers, or even computer speakers - and enjoy the music; even sing along. They aren’t thinking about "how it sounds" or scrutinizing the audio quality. Actually, they couldn’t care less. They can spend their time on other life pursuits and don’t feel a need to invest big money (or much money at all) in the hi-fi hobby.

Any psychologists or scientists in the building? (please no Amir @amir_asr ) since you are neither! ...despite the word "science" being in your domain name - audio science review.

Please, I beg you. Help me get away from this hobby.

Imagine - being able to enjoy all of your favourite music - while still achieving that dopamine rush, along with serotonin, and even oxytocin - the bonding hormone, which can be released while listening to songs with deep emotional messages, or love songs.

We’re very much like food critics or chefs in a sense. We want the best of something (in this case, audio) I’m sure michelin star chefs face the same thing in their own right...can’t enoy or even eat the food unless it’s up to a certain standard.

When we audiophiles want to listen to music, we often play it on a resolving system, so as to partake in a a "high-end" listening experience. We often pick apart music and fault the audio components in our system, cables etc. All of this takes away from the experience of enjoying music as a form of art/entertainment. It has been said that some famous artists don’t even own a high-end audio system.

I gained a great deal of wisdom of from the documentary - Greek Audiophile. In it, we have audiophiles from all walks of life. Their families think they’re crazy for spending all this money on audio. They say it sounds "nice" or "real" but still can’t justify it.

I think it’s all in the brain. If we can reset our brains (or me at least) I can still enjoy music without needing a great system for it.

- Jack

 

jackhifiguy

Dennis Had Inspire Amplifier and Preamplifier, purchased used.
Martin Logan Spire Loudspeakers purchased used.
PSAudio PWD.
Cambridge Audio CXC transport.
Threshold Audio T3i preamplifier

Pass ACA Class A monoblocks

Marantz 1S51 turntable and Benz cartridge.
A variety of tube and solid state components. 60% jazz, 20% Classical, 20% 60’s and 70’s soul listener.

200 mainly classic jazz albums.
A variety of some 300 CD’s and a no streaming zone.
Everything purchased in moderation accumulating most items used over 2 years. Many spend $5K for a single component. But this is the best $10K I ever spent.
Audiophile? Once you place a label on anything that becomes your experience. Keep it simple, and simply enjoy the experience of it. No labels, no put downs of others who don’t have what you do. After all, why make it a *ick measuring contest.

 

In the car, with the factory audio (old BMW), the music sounds great.

In the gym, with ear buds, the music pushes me a little harder. Sounds great.

Absolutely. 99.45% of the population enjoys the music that way. Nothing wrong with that. I probably spend more time listening to the music in my car in my daily commute (I have to work for a living) than in my audio systems at home. My question is why are you in an Audiogon forums if spending a dime more on audio than that 99+% spends is outrageous? Throwing Grisly Bear type tantrums. Relax. Chill. Do whatever is good for you. Don’t judge the others. And always pay the gas bill first before spending any money in discretionary items

 

I am an acoustician, audiophile and music lover and I don't feel the need to put my life in reverse.  I am quite happy where I am.

6 digit income is poverty in certain areas of the country/world. it’s not that hard to make a 6 digit income since the year 2000. It also doesn’t mean you will spend a $200,000 on an audio system or $200,000 on a car. Why spend hundreds of thousands on an audio system or a car when you can invest the money and make money, then use the money you make to buy your desired audio equipment, car, and house with cash