Disappointing Evening


I had some dinner guest's over last evening. I had my main system warming up just in case there was some interest from them in audio. I have a second system that was playing when they arrived. It's a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound 9000 that my inlaws gave me a few years back. Well soon enough a couple of them were commenting about the good music, so I asked if they would like to hear my pride and joy system, mostly all tube gear that (IMO) looks pretty cool with all the tubes lit up and sounds way better than the B&O stuff. No interest at all in the tube system and they hovered around the B&O loving the way the glass door opened and the arm moved to each CD. Boy was I insulted, all the time, money and energy I have in my tube system!
markpao
Larry's Audio Rule Number 1:

NEVER buy audio gear to try to impress anyone...it's a solitary or 'another audiophile' pursuit only. Any thoughts to the contrary only cause frustration and confusion.

Scene 1
"Hey guys look at my new stereo..."
reaction---

"Nice, hey you got any beer?"

They simply can't/won't/don't/will never, ever appreciate it...you're wasting your time.

Invite an audiophile/music lover next time.

Good listening...listen to Renee Olstead and stare at the album cover! lol
Larry
Markpao

One thing for sure as Larsky states above, your audio system is for you, all you can do is share the music, never the system. no one cares. I never even bring it up when guests come over unless they show an interest.

The ONLY audio product that elicited interest from almost anyone that saw it, not the music, the product itself was the McIntosh MC-60's I was using, something about that black and chrome and the exposed valves always caught everyone's eye. Even my Supratek Syrah which is beautiful garners only casual coments typically when it is glowing in the evening and the lights are low. The comment is typically something on the order of "whats that thing" or to that effect. When explained that it is a pre-amp for my music system that is pretty much where the discussion typically ends.

B&O make beautiful, stylish audio components, asthetically pleasing especially to women. Don't be insulted because their priorities aren't the same as yours.
Impress people with loudness? I understand what you mean but just simply stepping out and getting some 1000 dollar used Vandersteen 2ce sigs's, a 900 mccormack, and a 600 CJ pre and replacing a bose lifestyle is night and day. Thats good sound vs exceptional sound. They are far between.
Except if it is too loud you cannot converse with the guests so that does not work.

If you can converse then it is just background music,

For a jaw-dropping five minute demo it needs to be a lot more dynamic than people have ever heard from a home system.
are people so insecure that they want or need to impress ?

what difference does it make to the owner of material things if people are or are not interested in them ?

a friendship need not be based on shared interests in material things, but rather a genuine liking for the person.