How Do You Live The Audiophile Life


I don’t really have the credentials to be on Audiogon. Kef Q150s and new NAD equipment that replaced my stalwart Arcam Solo. Maybe I can peek over the fence.
So I’ve have a question about the new equipment. I’m browsing the forums, looking for an answer. I know as much as about audio as anyone who isn’t an audiophile. But I was astonished at the number of brands I’d never heard of. And I know the price of the stuff I have heard of.
I’m in NYC. Maybe there’s five high-end dealers here. I’m guessing that number drops off quickly once you cross the Hudson.
This is a long winded way to ask how you live the audiophile life? How do you get access to this stuff? I’d want to hear something before dropping a car-like sum on it. Do you buy blind? Do you travel? Go to the industry shows? Help me, teach me, inform me.
I guess this question applies to speakers as well. Maybe more so. But I was in the amplifier section so . . .
paul6001
Lots of good advise.
 I agree with the guy who:
find a group of audiophiles. We have a group through meetup.com Lots of guys willing to share and help.
 Robert Harley's book is helpful to get the audio neurons going. So is Smith's.
 Check Craigslist for some good buys if want to explore a bit.
  But, probably the best advice is to ENJOY THE MUSIC- not the equipment so much, unless that's your goal. 
 If the music moves you, you are there...
Makes no sense if your moving, you can't be "there"...
See millercarbons video- he's moving and he's there. The Dude of audiophileness.
I'm not sure there is any secret to the "audiophile life" other than to create a sound that pleases you. Many people strive to reach what the music would sound like live but for me at least that is a difficult standard to reach. I have been to numerous concerts involving well established artists and I have never found a constant sound since all music environments are different, the sound equipment at each concert is always adjusted to the taste of the sound engineer and the instruments can themselves sound different based on the brand, age, speakers and amplifiers used, etc.  The result of all of this is that I don't really know what certain instruments SHOULD  sound like since there just isn't a constant sound for any instrument to emulate. Strive for what you imagine the sound would be like and what pleases you. Quite frankly, I believe some of our music systems could easily sound better than a live performance of that same material by that same artist given all of the vagaries mentioned above. I have walked out of concerts based on poor sound - there just isn't any reason to think that live sound is always perfect and recorded music necessarily always inferior.
I'm not sure there is any secret to the "audiophile life" other than to create a sound that pleases you. Many people strive to reach what the music would sound like live but for me at least that is a difficult standard to reach. I have been to numerous concerts involving well established artists and I have never found a constant sound since all music environments are different, the sound equipment at each concert is always adjusted to the taste of the sound engineer and the instruments can themselves sound different based on the brand, age, speakers and amplifiers used, etc. The result of all of this is that I don't really know what certain instruments SHOULD sound like since there just isn't a constant sound for any instrument to emulate. Strive for what you imagine the sound would be like and what pleases you. Quite frankly, I believe some of our music systems could easily sound better than a live performance of that same material by that same artist given all of the vagaries mentioned above. I have walked out of concerts based on poor sound - there just isn't any reason to think that live sound is always perfect and recorded music necessarily always inferior.
‘Audiophile life’. Probably akin to going down a rabbit hole and doomed to audiophilia nervosa . Yet some have been successful and happy. Please forget about audiophile equipment , otherwise you could end up playing the same 12 tracks all your life on equipment demos. Rather enjoy the music. I remember enjoying music off a budget 2 speaker, all in one record player system in my high school days. Still trying to better that sound . Some could claim age related hearing loss . Well one could age a lot and still be chasing equipment, power supply, cables, tweaks , equipment racks , room treatment , the latest digital equiment, Uber expensive vinyl, endless sleepless nights , countless hours poring over the net , comparing your kit to others/ Hifi stores ,neglecting important aspects of life and health etc. Not to mention losing money better spent elsewhere. I have done all this and years since starting I’ve got it right , well just about. But listening to other simple inexpensive systems give me as much joy and maybe more considering the small cost. I’ve come to believe the follliwing. 1. Set a moderate budget. 2 .Go to a reputable dealer who sells reliable stuff known for excellent after sales service. Listen to what’s on offer. 3.Compare to another dealer if possible.4. When you like something insist on home demo. 5. Buy and forget about it totally. I mean totally. Do not compare to others. You could find better. But never perfect.6.  DO NOT UPGRADE. JUST ENJOY THE MUSIC.                  I’m expecting a lot of comments for my views , hopefully in a friendly spirit.