HELP Turning off the Left Brain


Its been over 25 years since I bought my first stereo. All my friends wanted wheels, I just wanted to play my records on something other than my parents stereo console. After spending over 25 years training my ears to distinguish between the tiniest differences in and between components, cables, room acoustics et al (and yes I believe for the most part it is a learned skill), I now find it very difficult to sit down and just ENJOY THE MUSIC without always critiquing the presentation. As a matter of fact, a lot of the music that I originally enjoyed when I was among the great unwashed masses, I can't stand listening to anymore. I always thought that at some point the equipment would allow the music to transcend the medium, but regardless of the quality of the presentation, the left brain always whips out the notebook.

Has anyone found a way to stop the madness?
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Hi Musicfirst, I have been an Audiophile more than 35 years, and yes I have experienced the same thing you have experienced for 25 of my 35 years in the hobby. Generally, we as Audiophiles hang with other Audiophiles, and what do we talk about, equipment. What do we read, Stereophile and Absolute Sound. What do they write about, equipment. The disatifaction some of us get from our hobby, is I believed fueled by constant upgrades to a point that we become equipment junkies and specific sound not music listeners. I nearly ten years ago scrapped my whole system and did not participate in the hobby for three years. After the hiatus, I slowly built a system of high quality components both new and used that I and only I thought was musical. I stayed with that system with minimal changes for six years and was extremely satisfied and really got back to the music. This last year I've done some upgrades to A/C, pre-amp and cabling and love the upgraded system. I still have audiophile friends, I still read Stereophile and Absolute Sound. What's different, I impress myself with my own choices and probably matured in the process of not what could be, but; what is. IMHO
Jayboard's recommendation of live music may curtail the sin. Unless, of course, you're checking out the imaging and bass definition at the live show. My experience has fluctuated in and out of listening to the components, as opposed to the music. For me the rhythm is the heartbeat and soul. Without a solid expressive bottom end (not exaggerated, bloated or excessively tight) I remain a stereoholic.

The system I presently use offers adequate delineation with music aplenty. Taking account of the recording, this system is capable of presenting a huge soundstage, instrument detail and body, plus the air movement neccessary to experience the bass. I have gone through many component changes, but seem to sacrifice in one area to gain in another. I still too often catch myself critiquing, but more than ever my evenings are spent with the musicians.
You could go out for competitive pricing on a lobotomy--maybe get a "2 Lobes for the Price of 1" offer.

The music--in and of itself--should transcend the medium, I think. Somehow, you've lost grasp of the music itself. Consider the following:

(a) Train yourself on an inferior medium, say a $199 mini-component system, until you begin to hear the music through the medium again. Then, your "tweaked out rig" will sound that much better when you return to it.

(b) Get a dedicated headphone system. It's cheaper, has less things to tweak, and you can alternate between various headphones on hand for a needed change of pace. (If it includes a tubed head-amp, you can tube roll for added variation.)

(c) Get a season ticket to the hear live symphony. Get out and listen to live music, whenever possible.

(d) Get an A/V system. Perhaps entertaining your weaker videophile tendencies will offset/suppress your rampant audiophile compulsions.

I've had good success with (a), (b) and (d). But (c) is my ultimate solution--which, for me, is commensurate with my getting rid of a super-tweaked out audio system altogether. I haven't successfully attempted option (c) yet, though.

At present, I've traded/sold off my single, monster audio rig (~$20,000) for a modest headphone system at work (~$1500), and a modest A/V system at home (~$2000). I am enjoying the music again--through a pair of $15 Sennheiser earbuds!

Godspeed to you!
Turning off the left brain is tough to do, especially for equipment and set up freaks. You're probably very normal. It sounds to me as if you're just bored with your music.

The solution to the problem is to start taking music itself as the important part of the hobby and applying as much effort in that regard as you previously did with equipment and set up. In my experience, unlike the past, when I put on music now I hear the audio stuff for a few seconds, but then the music takes over.

I don't know what your preferences are but the possibilities for expanding your knowledge and enjoyment of music is endless in classical and jazz alone.

Highly recommended!
Only once have I been able to turn off my analytical nature long term. I had finally optimized a former system over a period of years and finally felt that I could let go and enjoy the music. I enjoyed that system for over a year without one change until the upgrade bug hit me. Since adding a new amp and speakers about a year ago I've been on the old optimizing routine which necessitates the analysis bug. Perhaps some of us can only completely give up the analysis when we optimize one system and become fearful of upsetting things with another change.