Are all Audiophiles masocists?


My wife says my main hobby is collecting hobbies. She has a corollary to that realization which is, that I also tend to pick hobbies that I will never be happy with no matter how much I spend or how good I get at them. As an Audiophile she states my system is never good enough. I'm always upgrading. I believe we call that "Chasing the Dragon" if I'm not mistaken. She also says the same about several other of my hobbies such as... Golf (unlikely I'll ever shoot an 18), Cycling (a 4.5 hour century ride isn't fast enough), Drag Racing (Car runs mid 8's at 160mph in the 1/4 mile. Upgrades continue!) and there are others. So you get my drift.Is this just me or does the personality of the audiophile make us all just a bit masochistic?
128x128bullitt5094
@asvjerry,

One of the worst things that can happen to an audiophile is some form of component failure.

Anything from a blown tweeter/driver to a recklessly damaged stylus can have an unusually proportional effect upon your mood.

I think I must have become complacent until a few weeks ago when my system began to lose signal in the left channel.

I tried various stuff, a different channel on the amp, checking the interconnects (horrible thick and ridiculously tight) and reversing and tightening the speaker cables etc. All would work for a while but the next time, same problem of a silent left speaker.

In the end I discovered that the volume dial on the amp was getting a little flaky. It might need cleaning or replacing soon but anyway it reminded me just how easy it is to lose your peace of mind when it comes to audio.

I used to pity my friends and family who’d get distraught when their car got the mildest of scratches, but now I can’t the volume dial out of my mind.

Is it serious, is affecting the sound, is it a sealed unit, can it be cleaned? Etc

Anyway, I can laugh about a little now, but a few years ago it would have been a real downer for me.

No, you’ve got to be good to yourself (don’t watch the news, it’s always bad eg Diana Rigg) and somehow try to address the stuff you might worry about.

Can’t wait around for someone else to do it.
@cd318....Oh, my....I hadn't heard about D. Rigg....😢😘
My first exposure to her was The Avengers series; after the 'effect' of her 'fighting togs' wore down, her talent as an actress became apparent and amplified with later roles...

(In an interview, she initially didn't understand the fan letters received that *mmm* refered mostly to the leathers....Confusion gave way to 'oh, give it a break..." *L*)

Rest in Peace, Ms. D...
Her Lotus Elan sparked a lifelong respect for that marque...*s*

I can relate to the 'lil glitches' that mar ones' system and ones' mind....
'Crackely switches', 'scratchy pots', 'cable conundrums'....
The minor ones' beget 'bug hunts' that engender desire for a simple 'boom box' that, failing, gets recycled without regret.
If something more major goes *foom*, at least one can shrug, get it fixed or get on with something Better...

'Hobby' budget of late is somewhat restricted, but I consider it a challenge to amass the means to scratch the Itch.  What it looks like a first glance is a bit of an polyglot.  But it sounds better than it appears and allows me to pursue my DIY penchant.

Ultimately, it makes me smile....which, imh(if odd)o....is my perception of the point.

I Do get: "You have a really odd sense of humour, Jer...."

Well....it seems better to laugh at the mess we're all in than to sink into hysterical screaming punctuated by near-catatonic silence.
It's infinitely more acceptable, and They don't come and take you away....*ha ha*...;)

Socially somewhat acceptably yours,

J...oh, and have a good weekend! 🤪



I do like it a bit rough
LOL.  I also wanted to mention we have a C7 Z06 Corvette. It isn't fast enough either. Wondering when the C8 Z06 is going to happen.
Its not masochistic to want to go faster. To want to do it in a Corvette, well then maybe you have a point.