Do you play an instrument/sing?

I play 2 Indian classical stringed instruments, rudra vina (archaic, ancestor of sitar family) and surbahar (bass sitar). It definitely comes in handy when I'm auditioning equipment - I bring along a CD of my teacher and know what it really should sound like.
They say you can tell painters at museums because they walk up to see the paintings from close range while non-painters stand back. Do musicians listen more closely? Kind of asks you to get into other people's heads....

I grew up playing classical violin and piano and about 10 years ago progressed into playing jazz piano/keyboard. Music has been such a part of my life that its only natural to extend that into how I listen to music whether its at a live concert or in the comforts of my living room. Am I more critical than non-musicians. Probably, and sometimes that does detract from the overall enjoyment but I wouldn't have it any other way!

I play the Drums. I started playing on
September 26th. 1980 the day AFTER John Bonham died.
He played drums for Led Zepplin, for those here who don`t
know who he is. I was INSPIRED by Neil Peart of RUSH!
I always loved the drumming of
Buddy Rich, Gene Krupa, Billy Cobham, Simon Phillips
as well as 1000`s others. I like to use live drum
recordings to see if a piece of gear is good or not.
Neil Peart`s solo on Exit...Stage Left from 1981
is 1 of the best to use, as well as his later release of
A Show Of Hands 1989, it has better sound quality
on it.

I am a bass player (upright, as well as electric, and everything from classical, to swing, to rock and roll), and I do believe that it has had an impact upon my hi-fi tastes. I am a big fan of accuracy, and I want an upright to sound like an upright, a Gibson to sound like a Gibson, a Fender to sound like a Fender. Sure, I want to hear the bass, but I want it controlled, and not bloated, or over-hyped. But I am also quite keen on upper mids, where the bass spends more of its time than you might think. Really good, really convincing upright bass is a difficult thing to reproduce, so most of my critical listening will include some upright, for sure.

Interestingly, my hi-fi love has seemed to affect my bass gear as well. I am a big fan of the less well know, be more well made equipment from the likes of Euphonic Audio (who started out making ultra-accurate hi-fi speakers) and Accugroove.

Tom.

I am terrible on everything I play, but I still play with my Flutes (open hole and closed hole) and my sons guitar, but I have fun!