HELP Turning off the Left Brain

I'm confused. My left or your left?

Third the "buy new music". You don't know what is coming up, thus you cannot really compare it to a known disc.
For me, it also helps to have a routine that I look forward to. After the kids are put to bed and my wife is watching TV upstairs, I give myself 45-60 minutes to listen to music in my downstairs room with a cup of water beside me. I read the booklet that comes with the disc for the first few minutes to fully appreciate the work and effort that went into making the music, and then I turn off the lights.
I hope this helps.

David

Hi Musicfirst, I have been an Audiophile more than 35 years, and yes I have experienced the same thing you have experienced for 25 of my 35 years in the hobby. Generally, we as Audiophiles hang with other Audiophiles, and what do we talk about, equipment. What do we read, Stereophile and Absolute Sound. What do they write about, equipment. The disatifaction some of us get from our hobby, is I believed fueled by constant upgrades to a point that we become equipment junkies and specific sound not music listeners. I nearly ten years ago scrapped my whole system and did not participate in the hobby for three years. After the hiatus, I slowly built a system of high quality components both new and used that I and only I thought was musical. I stayed with that system with minimal changes for six years and was extremely satisfied and really got back to the music. This last year I've done some upgrades to A/C, pre-amp and cabling and love the upgraded system. I still have audiophile friends, I still read Stereophile and Absolute Sound. What's different, I impress myself with my own choices and probably matured in the process of not what could be, but; what is. IMHO

Jayboard's recommendation of live music may curtail the sin. Unless, of course, you're checking out the imaging and bass definition at the live show. My experience has fluctuated in and out of listening to the components, as opposed to the music. For me the rhythm is the heartbeat and soul. Without a solid expressive bottom end (not exaggerated, bloated or excessively tight) I remain a stereoholic.

The system I presently use offers adequate delineation with music aplenty. Taking account of the recording, this system is capable of presenting a huge soundstage, instrument detail and body, plus the air movement neccessary to experience the bass. I have gone through many component changes, but seem to sacrifice in one area to gain in another. I still too often catch myself critiquing, but more than ever my evenings are spent with the musicians.

You could go out for competitive pricing on a lobotomy--maybe get a "2 Lobes for the Price of 1" offer.

The music--in and of itself--should transcend the medium, I think. Somehow, you've lost grasp of the music itself. Consider the following:

(a) Train yourself on an inferior medium, say a $199 mini-component system, until you begin to hear the music through the medium again. Then, your "tweaked out rig" will sound that much better when you return to it.

(b) Get a dedicated headphone system. It's cheaper, has less things to tweak, and you can alternate between various headphones on hand for a needed change of pace. (If it includes a tubed head-amp, you can tube roll for added variation.)

(c) Get a season ticket to the hear live symphony. Get out and listen to live music, whenever possible.

(d) Get an A/V system. Perhaps entertaining your weaker videophile tendencies will offset/suppress your rampant audiophile compulsions.

I've had good success with (a), (b) and (d). But (c) is my ultimate solution--which, for me, is commensurate with my getting rid of a super-tweaked out audio system altogether. I haven't successfully attempted option (c) yet, though.

At present, I've traded/sold off my single, monster audio rig (~$20,000) for a modest headphone system at work (~$1500), and a modest A/V system at home (~$2000). I am enjoying the music again--through a pair of $15 Sennheiser earbuds!

Godspeed to you!