Do you have to be “in the mood?”

Most nights I sit in front of the rig and read while I listen, and sometimes just listen. There are occasional evenings when I just don't feel like listening, and that's ok. It just makes the next time more special. Being critical of the system's sound rarely effects my enjoyment.  

I believe that I am always in the mood and looking for an opportunity to fire up the system usually with a predetermined play list (90% vinyl) with that said my system is in a shared space and have to wait till the opportunity presents itself for my indulgence. Have been retired for 6 years but it seems things have gotten busier and if I don't get my audio time it wears on me, I need that release it really helps me relax. With my system being in a shared space I have assembled a very nice headphone system in my upstairs office that I can get away to and get that release, oh and by the way it always sounds good and satisfies. Cheers

@rvpiano, unfortunately it sounds as if you're still held in the throes of audiophilia. I'd like to think I'm out of that bag now, the message has become far more important than the medium for me in recent years. Certain songs never fail to evoke emotions. Eg Another Girl, Another Planet makes me feel 18 again, Yesterday When I Was Young reminds me that I'm not. Ben (Marti Webb) never fails to move me, nor does Lili Marlene ( Lale Andersen). The Lighthouse Family's Lost in Space gets my attention whatever it's played on.

Perhaps you could try taking a musical trip down memory lane to help get your sense of focus back. Music matters, but only if it moves us. Best of luck.

Of course mood also matters, how could it not? With the right kind of company, the right weather, the right food inside me, and no discernible pain or worry of any kind, everything is better.

Everything. 

Yes indeed! For background sound I have an excellent FM station that broadcasts a quality signal: WUSF 89.7 Tampa. NPR during the day, All Night Jazz starting at 9 PM. Am listening right now to it on a vintage Diatone/Mitsubishi DA-F10 tuner - NPR' s All Things Considered.

Music is the closest art form to S*X! And like S*X one must be "in the mood" for it! Otherwise ...