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How do YOU justify this hobby?

This might seem like a stupid question, but I want to know how people can justify this Hobby.

Myself, the real answer is a bit complex and mystical, and maybe I will post it later on down the line.

The answer I give to the average person who askes: How do you justify your $30k sound system? or How can you justify spending $1k on 1M of wire????

My answer: Some people collect art. Do you consider music art? [This gets them thinking, and thy always reply 'yes'] Well I own over 700 pieces of art, these are called CDs. My music system is a Window to this art. It is the way the art is experienced. [Next I ask, if you had a nice piece of art would you not want it to be viewed the best way possible? Damn, I love this argument.] This is why I want the most transparent music system I can buy. I love music and it is art. I cannot own an original Picaso, but I CAN own a piece of music that was composed by Bach. And this piece of music is about the best a layman can own of Bach since he is deceased. The best thing would be actually able to play Bach pieces well yourself. This is a whol,e other discussion.

Anyway, tell us how you justify this hobby. Even if you do not go as overboard as I or others do (spending thousands on Ics... etc).

Peace.

KF
128x128tok20000
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
I am on my second Toyota Corolla that is 10 years old and has 180,000+ mileage on it. So in the last 20 years since I got out of college, I have only spent about $18,000 on cars.

I am about due for another one soon, which I guess sell for about $16,000 now. So that will be only $34,000 over 30 years for cars.
unsound
7,315 posts
 
Funny, I never had to justify it. People who have visted my home have made comments such as "that stuff sure looks expensive but you obviously derive much pleasure from it , it must be worth it to you", "I have to admit, it sure does sound good" and "maybe I should do something like this, it would be thereapeutic".
hepl
147 posts
 
It's very easy to justify this hobby. Material things can be
replaced, money can be reimburse, but your lifetime cannot.
Every hour I spent listening to my system gives me great joy. Once I leave this world, I won't be able to enjoy music
again, and there are a limited number of years I will live.
Most people live their lives like they will last forever,
don't take time to enjoy leisure. Provided that you don't
jeopardize your kids education, home mortgage, etc. I belive
that I rather have an expensive sound system than save to money for an expensive funeral.
sek
105 posts
 
I can appreciate responses such as the one given by Hepl and others.

I generally don't try to justify this "hobby", because I don't consider my purchase of audio gear to be a hobby any more than my many other consumer activities in which I can endeavor to make cost-effective, within-my-budget choices.

I think the hobby aspect comes more into play for me concerning my rather large collection of recordings and the ongoing process of adding to and revising that collection. I think that music is where the real art is, and there is no need (or way) to justify to others the music that gives one pleasure and insights.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
to you Sugar,
i use 10-year old automobiles for... years and drive them personally to the junk yard or order the last tow-pickup from the AAA club there.
currenlty i have 1987 Lincoln Town Car which has already 150000 miles among which more than half are mine.
i believe that this vehicle will last at least another ten years before the major repair is done. i never loved anything more better than this one even if compared to the to the 1992 Infiniti Q45 previousely owned.
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