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I Hardly Listen to Music Anymore

I've been a frequent observer to Audiogon, but this is the first thread I've started.

I find that I rarely listen to music anymore. (Once every couple of weeks). Let me explain.

I've been into audio for about 35 years. When I first got started listening to music and got involved in audio, in the late 60's, music was not a background pastime. When the new Dylan, Band, Allman, James Taylor, Santana, etc., album came out I'd listen to it in a dark room, in the sweet spot, eyes closed, alone or with friends, for hours on end, to great satisfaction. Since then, that's how I've always listend to music and I still enjoy listening like that for hours on end when I can.

As I grew older, I was never able to listen to music as background, because I can't concentrate on work or anything else when music plays. Consequently, as time goes on, and I have less and less time for serious listening sessions, I find I listen to music less and less. I don't play music at work and do not put the big rig on when I'm just hanging around at home in another room.

Other friends/coworkers constantly have jam boxes, walkmen, ipods etc playing as filler. So the people who care about music less listen to it more and people who care about music more listen less. I also am not as exposed to new music as people who constantly listen as background.

One of life's little ironies, I guess. Anyone else have this experience?

PS- It's not that my stereo is fatiguing. When I have time to listen for an hour or two I fall in love with my system(Wadia 21, ML-335, Wilson Sophia, Transparent cable) all over again. I've finally gotten it to the point where it is detailed yet smooth, and effortless at all volumes. So its not listner fatigue.
mitchell

Showing 1 response by mitchell

mitchell OP
10 posts
 
I am the original poster. I only expected a couple of responses and I am quite grateful for all the insight and suggstions that were posted.

I still cannot listen to music at work. I am very focused at work, and background music simply won't work for me. And in the car I enjoy my peace and quiet. But, beginning this past week end, I played the stereo at home as background as I went about other activities. I enjoyed it. I'm also going to buy a CD a week (new K. D. Lang this week end) and will start to listen to the big system more on a daily basis, even if only fifteen minutes at a time.

Finally, I do listen to a lot of live music- Dylan at least six times a year amd live jazz at least once a month (last week end I heard Ellis and Branford Marsallis (sp?)).

Again thanks for all the thoughtful suggestions.
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