I agree and admit that the sound of an audiophile system is “inseparable from the music”. For me, it is because the nuances of sound reproduction of an audiophile system, especially timbral accuracy, image density, micro-dynamics, macro-dynamics, and retrieval of ambient queues, bring me closer to memories of lithe sound of concerts I attended. However, I have two listening modes. Critical listening is reserved for system analysis, especially when contemplating a spend for new equipment, or when demonstrating my system to others. In this mode I focus on the sound of the equipment. I estimate I am only in critical listening mode 10% of the time. 90% of the time I am in musical appreciation (enjoyment) mode, not listening to equipment but rather to the composition and performance. There was a time in my life when I focused only on the equipment, leading to a feeling of never being satisfied. I have learned, or perhaps it is just an old age maturation process, where I am satisfied with my system and simply enjoy the music.
"audiophiles listen to their equipment"
That quote is misattributed to Alan Parsons, as I understand. Anyway saying there's a problem with wanting good sound is like saying an instrument designer, aiming for beautiful sound, could not possibly be a music lover and is only interested in the sound of the instruments. I.e. the sound is inseparable from the music. For me the beauty of the sound, good microdynamics, and so on, are the "doors" to the meaning of the music.
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Good question. I think it's because people who are caught in the endless upgrade cycle need a touchstone to help skyhook them out of it. That skyhook is, "This is supposed to be about the music." To which all I can say is, "Says who?" |
@onhwy61 So many misconceptions. If you ever study orchestration you realize that music is a phenomenon of sound. I mean, you can realize that easily if you just pay attention, but I pick this as in incontrovertible example.
First of all, many audiophiles do not "need audiophile quality sound" to enjoy music. When listening for new music in particular, I love what I discover on YouTube or the car radio and really enjoy it. Yes, CAR RADIO with the presence of road noise and wind noise. I'm focused on classical music, and you seem to unaware that live acoustic concerts, which many people insist on for the most enjoyment of music, are better than audiophile quality. So, no, "audiophile quality" is not an elusive thing that no one has heard or that "everyone but audiophiles" rejects. Note that by "audiophile quality classical music" I mean approaching the qualities of live sound. |
@ghdprentice Great description of the problems that occur when we listen too analytically and make decisions while in analytical mode. I did something similar... choose an impressive headphone amp years ago and eventually it was my only working amp... and discovered recently that certain "warts" in the sound were not coming from my DAC but rather from my amp. It had an overly forward upper midrange, and this was killing enjoyment. As you can imagine I listened to my system much less during this time. I thought I just had found other hobbies and was keeping busy with them, but no, turned out my system was just not as enjoyable.
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