Every time I sit down and listen to my reference system that is now three years old I get a little depressed. I start thinking about the last 50 years that I did not have my system set up right. I think about how I was siting off axes. I think of the time I had my speakers hanging from the ceiling as there was nowhere else to put them, snd on and on. Today I can listen to old music that I hardly recognize from listening to all those years which is a nice experience but I keep going back to all the time I missed out. In the end I have always enjoyed the music and always will but now enjoying it even more. Know exactly what that 30 year old experienced as I do myself over and over.
When someone listens to your system for the first time.
I recently had a 30 something friend of mine, I'm 64, stop in for a bit and sit in my listening chair. He is a musician and had never heard my system. Decided to play him Sultans of Swing on my turntable. He was awe struck. Look of amazement on his face. he said he had heard the song countless times, but now knew he had never really heard it. He talked about the clarity, how wonderful the cymbals sounded, how awesome the bass was (thanks to the new subwoofers I bought). I played him a few more things, some Tony Rice, to hear some acoustic instruments. He couldn't get over the soundstage and imaging. He said he knew why I sat in that chair. He said he wants to come back, there are tons of songs he wants to now hear on my system. I listen to music just about every night. I enjoy my system, but sometimes get caught up in listening to the gear, wondering if I should change something. Nature of the hobby. So nice to get a new perspective. Reminder to stop over thinking and enjoy the music.