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A Tough Question

Was watching "Fight Club" the other night and in it Brad Pitt's character opines that you don't own your possessions, but your possessions own you. As applied to our hobby the question becomes, do you own your system, or does your system own you?

There have been times in my audiophile progression that my system has definitely had me be the short hairs, but as of late I've felt like I'm the one in control, at least most of the time. Basically, when I'm enjoying music, I'm on top. When I'm concentrating on the sound of the system, then the system has the upper hand. Unfortunately, my system generally sound quite good, but it's far from perfect and there's always something I know I could do to improve it's overall performance. As a result, I'm never sure where I stand. Do you know where you stand?
128x128onhwy61
corona
132 posts
 
Nrchy:
Well said.

Distortion:
If a person buys a Corvette I don’t think you will find them installing bicycle wheels on the car; that would ruin the whole point of the design. Most audiophiles are looking for a technology that will get them closer to the sound of real music. When an additional expense is involved they must balance the cost of the improvement in relationship to the cost of the new product [technology]. If cost was the only issue than any plastic “boom box” would do.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61 OP
5,229 posts
 
At last, someone understands. Thank you Nrchy. Based upon the type of questions usually asked on this forum (i.e., my soundstage has collapsed, which PC works best with..., what's my next step? etc.) I have to believe that the typical audiophile is owned by their system. I'm not sure anything is wrong with that, but you should at least have the awareness to admit to it.

In my ideal life I would pare everything down to James Spader's mythical "one key" existence as he explained in "Sex, Lies & Videotape". But even with one key, I'd still have a nice stereo and music collection.
distortion
571 posts
 
Corona, Only if they wanted to, regardless of ruined designs. I suggest you try reading my post again. To better understand, since my point may not have been saliant. Maybe you will see that pointing out "cost is an issue" is superfluos at best.

You guys can be "owned" by stereo's, cars, wives, or whatever. Not I.

I chose this hobby, unless someone can prove it chose me. I like it. Every single resource "it" consumes is by my hand alone, and "it" can end by my hand as well.
corona
132 posts
 
Distortion:
You have a valid point; I just missed it; one of those "senior" moments.
ozfly
887 posts
 
Distortion, nice phrasing. We are not owned by objects but by our intentions.

P.S. Thanks for the kind words Kublakhan
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