Why do some think "music" (not gear, trading, etc.) is the ultimate end?

If it wasn't for the enjoyment of music, I'd likely not own the stuff I do.

Given that the bulk of it isn't SOTA (the 'purpose-built' computer that links some of it together being the exception), I tinker with my penchant for DIY'ing Walsh speakers, rather than the 'system' as a whole.

In that regard, one could say that's my 'hobby' aspect.
If it wasn't for music, eclectic as my 'tastes' go, I wouldn't bother with any of it.

Listening to music on said system is the primary function of it.  It's been set up to wreak the 'best possible' from it, within the knaves' budget that's driven the collection.  I suspect having the kings' ransom to put towards it would mostly make it appear a tad more acceptable to some elements of the gathered readers here.  But it's 'end function' would remain the same.

I listen to what I enjoy listening to, on equipment that allows for a 'certain level of competance' to do so.

It's quiet @ 'idle'; has no 'quirks' that 'get in the way' of listening to anything I care to listen to, which is what I like to 'do' with it.

The only 'critical listening' performed with it is to see what my diy efforts are yielding.  That's where/when/how it functions as an instrument towards an end.  I can tell when the 'upstream' engineers have been lazy or lax, when compression exists (or not), or the recordings suffer from the existing technology of the time.

But I don't let that get in 'the' or 'my' way of just enjoying listening to the music it reproduces.

There are other concerns in my existence that demand OCD-level attention.  Entertainment is a means of recovery from those activities.

Good thread, BTW.  Not too much negativity so far....;)

Enjoy what you may, J

Mmm, now that's an interesting and compelling comparison....the pursuit of excellence in cooking vs. the reproduction of ones' music...*s*...

One is the daily need for sustenance...basic through luxurious.
The other, a need to feed a different form of hunger that also has its' own span of satiation....;)

Both exhibit a 'range' of means towards their ends:
-Cooking over an open fire, the fare suspended on a green stick....to a 'full boat'  kitchen, with the 'hi-end' stove, fridge, utensils, et al...
-The bedside clock radio 'kick-starting' ones' day through the monoblock amps driving 2001 monolith-scaled speakers, the entire affair rivaling the cost of a very well-appointed Mercedes....*L*

Both fill a need....but existence precedes essence.

One can live without music, after all.  A somewhat bleak future to contemplate in a dystopian someday, but I suspect even the most jaded audiophile stripped of the 'mega-system' would pick up sticks and tap out a rhythm to scratch the itch while bbq'ing the days' catch....

"Life Before the Comet" hits the Top Ten of Fireside Chants....coming to a drum circle near you! *wry chuckle*

It all started out that way, after all....and I find contemplation of When The Music Started.... and Why....interesting on multiple levels...

When did the sound of rocks and sticks with early versions of 'raps' and yowls give way to...perhaps something like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRg_8NNPTD8

...sans the amplification, of course....;)

Obviously, the emotional 'drive' to create and experience 'music' has deep roots within the human experience, considering that it's existence is pretty universal....at least, on this tiny rock in the void....

...and the noise kept the wolves away....*G*

All in fun, J