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Have your standards/taste in music changed?

I have been involved in high-end audio for 40+ years now and I would have to say that my selection and appreciation for music has in many ways been influenced by this audiophile hobby. I know that there is a lot of music that I would not otherwise have know to exist had I not spent time with Stereophile/Absolute Sound and other magazines and journals. I have attended a number of major Audiophile Shows and demos always finding the selection of music interesting and motivating. Live music has had a special interest due to it being the standard by which recorded music has been judged; but not without an ever present interest in how well my system(s)could reproduce an excellent facsimile. I would be interested in your thoughts on this subject and if you feel that this hobby has truly made a difference in your world of music.
brauser
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
I am afraid, my personality changed ....
duanegoosen
355 posts
 
Looking for the intangible something that Whart referred to keeps things going for me. Sometimes it shows up when you'd least expect it. Over time the silliness of dividing music into genres seems to become more obvious. Patto was a fantastic band. They shared musical sensibilities w/ Ellington, Mingus and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Sonically the recordings are not pristine or state of the art, (well maybe on a few moments on Roll em' Smoke em'
are) and Halsall's ability to shred before there was really much of that around by itself didn't make them a great band. There's just something about the way their stuff prints in the brain after a few listens that counts more than perfection and makes some people dig them like few other bands. Kraan is another one that maybe the same could be said for.
whart's avatar
whart
3,047 posts
 
Duane thanks for that. The US Vertigo of the first Patto is surprisingly good
and compares favorably with the uk swirl. It is also available for under 100
US which is a fraction of the uk pressing. On Hold your Fire I
"only" have the uk swirl and it sounds great. Unfortunately it is
now in collector's territory. I will check out Kraan.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,745 posts
 
Brauser-

YES, mine has changed. About 10 years ago I fell in love w/ Jazz. Now, I cannot get enough. Truly-another world.

I came from the Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock/Metal frames of mind. I still enjoy those genre(s), but prefer Jazz music until I get well-versed!
Happy Listening!
david12
1,454 posts
 
The main affect of an interest in Audio is to bring me to artists and labels I would never have heard of any other way. One of the reasons I go to shows is to pick up on new artists(to me that is). Two labels in particular, ECM and stockfisch, have been a revelation. The artists I can think of, Mark Murphy, Michael Camillo, David Munyon, Sarah Madsen, Lorri Mckenna, Sara K and many more. Now I am not saying these are niche, unheard of artists, just I would never have come across them, without this hobby.

Secondly, I am increasingly intolerant of poor recording quality, but wo'nt accept music just because it is well recorded. So many "audiophile labels" seem to produce such tedious music. Naim for example, except for Antonio Fortuoni.

So in general, I have seen my listening and music collection, expanded with, in general, music I would be much the poorer without.
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