“Civilian” reaction to your gear?

On the exposure to hifi in popular culture today - I notice that many modern TV series display hifi gear - especially turntables and vintage receivers and amps - in the scenes filmed in characters homes and apartments.  The frequency this higher for programming produced in the UK or European countries than for those here in the U.S.  This is of course not the same as having access to brick and mortar hifi shops in your neighborhood or shopping mall, but it is a “thing” now.

I set up a modest 2.1 system in the conference room of my office and my 20 and 30 something staff are blown away.  Now they are asking me questions about it and asking me what to buy for their homes.

kn

Most walk on by.  Some ask if I’m a musician. Some express sympathy or admiration to my wife…

My only home system is in my basement and it is a hybrid 5.1/2.1 set up.  Bluray and to a lesser degree streamed video and 5.1 were very good out of the box and impressed yet-to-be converted guests to the room.  Getting the 2.1 on the same or higher level took years of work and experimenting with sources and cables but I am finally there.  I make my guests come hear the stereo reproduction because I am a zealot and cannot help myself now that it is dialed in. I do have Bluetooth capability and encourage them to play something if they want. It’s not at the same level as hires files from my server or LPs, but typically better than they are used to hearing.  Some offer polite comments and some leave with astonished looks.  The purpose built room helps a ton.

My wife just rolls her eyes about all this, but does not complain about the thundering bass when Netflix launches or the smiles on my granddaughter’s face when she is dancing to Beyonce or Tony! Toni! Tone.

kn

They don't care. And I understand completely. The same as I wouldn't care about their gaming system. Although a couple have done the "What the F is that" when seeing my Linkwitz LX Minis.

I’ve been loving music since I was a kid and got a used record player, you know the ones that are in a box.  Take off the lid and you had a three speed TT and a on/off volume knob.  Anyway, by high school I had built a decent rig. With a lot of work and horse trading, by college I had Bozak speakers and all Halfler equipment. Every single person I bought over to show off my system thought I was nuts! My Sansui receiver sounds the same. My own brother, my own flesh and blood doesn’t understand.  He is completely happy listening to music though the 1/4” speakers in his iPhone.

My wife is pretty good about my habit.  I guess as long as I don’t drink to excess or go to the Casino, she’s okay with me getting a new DAC.