Do You Love Music or Do You Love Hi-Fi?


I know a lot of hi-fi enthusiasts who seem to have poor taste in music but can talk all day about their audio gear. I got into the high end audio hobby because of my love for music first and foremost, and this has done a pretty good job in guiding my decisions around what equipment to buy. Don't get me wrong, I Jones really hard on gear, but at the end of the day it's not about the gear but how great the music I love sounds on the gear I buy. I study music and learn all I can to discover new music to enjoy, regardless of the genre, but I am certain that I will not be investing in the latest Jennifer Warnes vinyl re-issues. I also wonder why Mo-Fi issued the first three Foreigner albums on vinyl. Are there really that many hard core audiophiles asking for this? There are so many great recordings that are begging for the high end vinyl treatment, it makes me wonder who these people are making decisions about what to release on these labels? I'm sure the entire Don Henley catalog is coming soon from one of these labels.
OK, I'm done ranting, but I really do want to hear what others think about this. Or is it just me? Is it about the gear or is it about the music for you?
128x128snackeyp

Showing 2 responses by snackeyp

Of all of my addictions my addiction to music is the one that has been a positive influence on myself and my family. Those who are married to a spouse who also loves music might be able to identify with what I am saying here. We listen to music together and we learn a lot about music together. Now that we have kids I spend a lot of time listening with them. I am careful not to teach, but I do watch their reaction to the music I play while they are listening. I find this fascinating, because music is a second language, and it is universal.
My second addiction is audio gear, and it is because my family loves music along with me that I can get away with spending way more than I should on attaining the gear that makes music sound like music.
The down side to both of these addictions is I sometimes come across as a music snob or a gear snob. Mostly a music snob though, so I guess that is the label I prefer of the two. It shows where my true passion lies. Music is most important because it does not require hi-fi equipment to make or hear it. I've even spent several years recording music shows that I've attended. That addiction is in recession now but I suspect one day I will break out my DAT walkman and start recording again.
I now realize that I should have titled this thread "Do you have good taste in hi-fi but bad taste in music?" because I was trying to make two or three points when I started writing it. I was annoyed by the number of unworthy music titles being re-issued on high grade vinyl and SACD. Of course I know "unworthy" is highly subjective but I believe that in general I have very good taste in music and am worthy to make judgement calls like this. Others may disagree.