“Civilian” reaction to your gear?

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.

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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.

Most of my friends could not understand why I spend so much time listening to music. Then we they come by and hear my system , they no longer ask, they accept. They think I’m crazy for spending so much money on gear. They still think I’m crazy but now they understand.

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My guitarist son-in-law was impressed. My Rolling Stones-loving brother asked where the thump in the chest was. (I play mostly acoustic and have Magnepans). But best of all, my son has a favorite new group and he asks me to how he can fully realize all the layers of sound on their recordings. And so it begins.