Do you listen to equipment or music.

So I’ve had a system for about 35 years. Each time I change a cable or a component I take some time to listen for the changes.  Then it’s back to listening to music. Been doing this since I started putting together a system.

JD

I don't listen to the equipment unless I just got new piece, but I do sometimes listen to as much of a sound as of the music being played. I know my system very well and don't have to re-evaluate it.
I also compare different vinyl pressings from time to time, this is fun, I always try to have the very best sounding pressings. With some it is like big system upgrade, the difference can be striking.

One does not have to sacrifice either clarity or fullness and musicality. This is not easy to achieve but it can be done.

Now that 90% of my listening is from streaming on Tidal, I find myself listening to only part of a particular track, then move on to the next one. When I was spinning vinyl, I would listen to at least one side of an album, then with CDs I would listen to a complete album before changing to another CD.  

So I have found that I need to sit back and at least listen to entire tracks, "sides" or, even entire albums again.

Anyone else have this issue?

I was very satisfied with my system for many years. Then for some reason my Dahlquist DQ-10's piezoelectric tweeter started sounding screechy. I started to listen to the bass response which could be lacking at times.  I was more and more listening for the DQ-10's  failings and successes at music reproduction, not the music itself, after all these years 

The more I couldn't help but listen to the speakers, rather than the music, the more I realized my old friends needed upgrading. Mind you they sounded pretty much the same as always.  I just couldn't listen to only the music anymore. 

I'll shed a tear for them when my Magico A3's finally arrive this month. They've always been sitting near the corners of each living room in every place I've lived, like bookends, old friends, for the best part of my life. (credit to Simon & Garfunkel). 

Mike