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Question on hearing

Apologies in advance for rambling, but this is something that has been in the back of my mind for years.

When I was a teen growing up in the 70's, I listened with a basic Kenwood receiver, a Thorens turntable, and either Advent or Bozak speakers, all inherited from relatives. Speaker cables and cables were basic Radioshack. What I remember is having intense, hair-raising moments of connection to music, especially in response to fine textural and harmonic details.

Nowadays, I have what I consider to be a reference-level system with a mixture of tube and solid-state electronics, digital and analog sources, and a treated listening room.  I've achieved what I consider to be reference-level sound. Listening is truly enjoyable for me these days, but those special moments of physical and emotional connection to musical moments are much rarer than in the old, old days. Part of this is no doubt a result of mildly diminished high frequency hearing, but I suspect that other factors are at play. I was just wondering if others have anything to say about this? 
psag
papermill's avatar
papermill
80 posts
 
There are many books discussing our reaction and love of music.
I submit it has less to do with either the perceived quality of the music or reproduction, but rather the stage of development our emotional maturity and the physical brain. I highly recommend "This Is Your Brain On Music" by Daniel Levitin. In it, he specifically addresses why we emotionally attach to music we listen to as teenagers. Ultimately, our enjoyment of music is, and will be, different than when we were young. It's the natural state. Still, in moments of significant emotional highs or lows, music can elicit profound reactions. 

randy-11
1,913 posts
 
What we need is a book by a cognitive psychologist on audiophiles & hearing
chayro
2,996 posts
 
There are a lot of factors that go into something like this, but I really think it’s natural for anyone involved in the high-end realm to focus too much on the audio quality, whether intentionally or not. Also, some of us have put together systems that are much more resolving (brighter?) than our old ones and the flaws stick out more. That said, I’m very happy to say that the other night I pulled out my Sundazed reissue of the Vanilla Fudge first record and, horrendous audio quality aside, listened all the way through, without giving a thought to the audio aspect. My hearing is probably not over 12k anymore, but I really feel I was able to appreciate the music the way I did in high school, albeit with a different perspective on life.  It's possible that the audio quality was SO bad, nothing could be done to salvage it, so there was no sense thinking about anything but the music.  I don't know. 
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,470 posts
 
I was in a similar space as you seem to be with your hearing.  I went to Costco, got a hearing test and was told about my deficiency.  I really thought my system was up to its highest level, (and it very well may be)...but when I got my hearing aids it was like a dawn comforter was removed from off my head.  If you are even a bit unsure of your hearing, I strongly advise you to get it checked.  My enjoyment of music  - both recorded and live is very much greater now.  If you try aids, you will not like many.....keep trying until you find one that is to your liking.  (I have the top of the line Bernafon which I find the most musical)  Good listening.....
996cupracer
49 posts
 
Yes, as we age our ability to discern frequencies diminishes. It is also  easy for humans to become jaded over time, even with the best! In our youth, everything was new and exciting. Experiencing repetition does not excite as initially once did. Sad but true that variety and a "better high" is required to excite. For some, even the best will never satisfy. Hence the need to upgrade already stellar sounding rigs.....
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