How does one "Get lost in the music"?

Another thought-

one has to take the time, to get lost, in the music.

Tostadosunidos, Yeah, I remember that era. But even earlier, in 1971 or so, I remember my first experience hearing STEREO playback. I was mesmerized – and for the life of me I couldn't understand how that tiny needle tracing a microscopic groove could separate the music into 2 channels! On top of that, early stereo mastering/mixing of popular rock music was all about effects like panning back and forth and disembodying the musicians from their instruments (i.e. different parts of the drum kit showing up in different channels). Yes, now it's total cheese ball, but back then... talk about going to another world... all I can say is – thank God for gravity.

Also, slightly off topic (sorry, Leicachamp):
I know that there's now a renewed interest in MONO... but this time, it's expensive high-end MONO... but I must be missing something. I don't recall ever hearing a MONO rig throwing a wide and deep soundstage, which is where, among other attributes of STEREO, that I get my thrills. Can you (or anyone for that matter) enlighten me as to why there's a retro buzz about 1 Channel sound, to the point of having a few $5K MONO phono carts on the market?

Good point! It helps to be able to carve out the time. A constant rushed lifestyle is probably not conducive to the traditional audiophile thing.

Maybe the trend towards more rushed lifestyles these days in general is one of the biggest barriers towards more people getting into home audio? Hence, the trend towards the more portable solutions, some of which can sound pretty darn good as well, at least on their own terms.

Sure beats the transistor radios and walkmans of years past in regards to sound quality.

I'm sure there are many that get lost in the music listening to their ipods while on the run.

Newer Ipods are not bad for what they are I find and there aare some very fine quality earbuds with both good tonality and detail available as upgrades over the standard issue ones.

Mapman--earbuds? I haven't heard any good ones yet, but an iPod will power some decent headphones.
Alonksi, I presume you meant to type 1961? By 1971 stereo was in full swing and even home cassette decks were starting to appear. The Beatles, who had gone full circle from hard left/right pan mixes to nice soundstage presentations, were defunct. It had all been done by then.

I use the Klipsch s4 buds with my Squeezebox radio in the
bedroom. Buds are an acquired taste, and fit and comfort
can be tricky, but these sound pretty darn good when
properly fitted. Also very good at the pool with Pandora
and internet radio on ipod touch.

Won't be replacing my home hifi stuff anytime soon though.

I also have smaller Stax electret phones on my family room
system for years. These are very nice sounding and easy on
the ear.

Ack! sorry... I didn't express myself clearly, Tostadosunidos –– I was referring to when it was that I actually experienced stereo for the first time. I was all of 10 years old. I don't think I saw a cassette or 8-track tape for a few years after that. The cutting edge of technology missed my neighborhood completely.

if its the music that is primary, it doesn't matter what the sources is--boom box, radio, stereo, sing to yourself.

if you like music there should no problem enjoying it. provided you don't have "non compos mentis" syndrome.

any sane person can enjoy music, regardless of sound quality.

Mr.Tennis, Before we all start questioning our sanity, I think this thread is not about merely enjoying music –– but what it actually takes to "lose ourselves" in the experience at this point in our lives.

I can only get lost in my good hifi gear these days. Standards are too high. I can listen to a lot of other lesser stuff down to ipods and table radios, but only get lost in the best.

WHen I was a kid, I got lost in teh best I had then, which was a transistor radio, portable 8-track, compact phono, portable cassette, Sanyo all in 1 integrated whatever.

It gets harder once standards go up, no doubt.

Ignorance can be bliss!!!!!!!

So here's the dilemma.

If you have high standards in regards to what sounds good, there can be no going back.

So the more you spend and the more you tweak and the more you obsess, the more you become doomed perhaps to never being able to settle for anything less.

Its the American dilemma in general in a nutshell, I suppose.

Maybe we'll learn some lessons for our next life, whatever that may be.

Mapman, I enjoy your posts and generally agree but not this time. I heard the beginning of a Lou Reed track on the radio in my van this morning (standard issue Toyota sound system) and really wanted to hear it to the end. It made no difference that it was a car system. If the dogs had not been antsy for their walk I would have stayed for the whole tune.
FWIW I think it was called "Pale Blue Eyes." Please correct me if I'm wrong about that.

Tost,

Yes, that does happen to me as well on occasion in the car when not in a rush, etc.

But when it does, next I want to hear what I heard at home with my good gear to get the full experience.

Some car systems are very good! My current ones are just so so, but being locked in a car for a period of time is certainly conducive to getting lost. HArder to do at home with distractions, etc. sometimes.

It's definitely the music first, and then the system. No matter what your system, the music should catch your attention and hold it. The system will then allow you to hear more and more of the music as it progresses. I'm assuming anyone here is always at least thinking about some sort of upgrade. But it's all about the music. So if you are having trouble getting lost in it, you need different music, unless you have made an upgrade that was really a downgrade and that's what is really bothering you, and not allowing you to sink into the music.