Audiophilism is a hobby


This post grew out of another discussion on music vs. sound. According to a poll taken in that discussion, it is clear most A’goners claim they listen to their rigs primarily for the music. Although I don’t doubt the truth of that, I maintain that much of the listening is as a hobby, with music being a very important component. I’m not saying we can’t be profoundly moved by the music but rather that a lot of our enjoyment comes from the sheer sound emitted from our speakers. Great music is of course a vital part of the experience, but with all the manipulations we do with our systems, we  are fascinated by the idea of sound in itself as a hobby.

128x128rvpiano

@oldaudiophile

I concur with what you’re saying. Those who don’t “fiddle” with their rigs, but are happy with the sound they are achieving can probably also be termed audiophiles. But the nature of this forum is that it dedicates itself to the type of audiophile who likes to manipulate equipment, which I consider rates the category of a hobby. If you’re not interested in the manipulation of equipment why would you become a member of Audiogon? Once you’ve achieved the sound you’re happy with you can join a music forum.

Very good description! thanks ...

These anxieties resulted in my own experience  from the inability  and incapacities to face the problem  save throwing money  and more upgrade toward an acoustic ideal the consumers had no idea about conceptually and experimentally...

 It is why acoustics  is my cure and the only cure to upgraditis... ( acoustics knowledge is not passive treatment of room but a science about sound experiences)

Fred is actually enjoying the beauty, wonderment, emotional richness, mental stimulation, perhaps even transcendence that music provides.  
Billy is a ball of anxiety, angst and minutiae-scrutinizing madness.
That’s the issue and “the angst.” 

@rvpiano I understand your rebuttal but still cannot convert to the wholehearted or exclusive "hobby" idea.  I and many others, I think, join and follow forums like this one primarily for two reasons.  One is to learn more about and stay abreast of the various components and products on the market, past & present, and to continually improve our knowledge of the more technical aspects of evaluating various pieces of equipment and products.  This provides some degree of guidance when one happens to be in the market for an upgrade, at some point.  The other reason, of course, is to reciprocate by sharing whatever expertise we've acquired over the years and experiences we've had, in an effort to provide similar guidance to other audiophiles.

Audiophile Billy is sitting there fretting about the distortion, the transient accuracy, the imaging, the soundstage, on and on and on and on….
Billy is a ball of anxiety, angst and minutiae-scrutinizing madness.
That’s the issue and “the angst.”

Billy is a great rarity or doesn’t exist at all. A strawman to use for the sake of argument.  

You can keep an eye on what's going on in audio and do upgrades from time to time and still be very happy with the sound you have now.  I think that audio is progressing and it makes sense to keep  up with what's new.