I lately wonder why I’m an Audiophile.

After retiring, I soon figured out that spending too much time listening to music is detrimental to other aspects to life.  Find something else for a couple days of the week.  I volunteer some time to a local nonprofit.  Just being away for a day or so makes you appreciate what you have.

I have a single night set aside each week for five hour or so listening session, never listen casually. These days all streams or cd rips, let Roon randomly choose from my huge library either from within specific genres or from entire library. Random play means only one track per album  played, the variety in sound staging, resolution, transparency, tonality, timbre, dynamics, etc. is incredible, can't imagine NOT being attentive to this. I'm also not particular about ultimate sound quality of recordings, I'm open to pretty much anything. While I maintain awareness of all these qualities in regard to sound I mindfully maintain a non-judgmental perceptive listening state.

I believe the key to maximally enjoying one's system for both the music and sound is found in turning off the prefrontal cortex of brain where judgment is primarily located. Simply acknowledging these sound variables rather than evaluating and analyzing is key to a relaxed state of listening. I do like some of the previous allusions  in this thread to Buddhist philosophy, lessening desire allows one to see things as they really are, analyzing, comparing, evaluating comes from the wellspring of desire. Relax your mind, let the sound and music flow, you'll be a much happier audiophile.  

I was a poor audiophile in my 20s and 30s.   Pretty much coasted for 35 years and taken up the addiction for the last 5 years or so.  The one constant is the music.  And struggling with a buzzing cable in my home office.  The music brings back fond memories and soothes my nerves at night.  Much healthier than watching cable news.

@sns 

Wonderful post!  

I agree exactly with every thing you said.

Congratulations!

I have always listened to music.  Whether it was AM on a tube clock radio to my current system.  When I’m in the car, I don’t expect the same quality sound as my home rig,  but I tap my toes just as much as. 😁