I joined the Honolulu Musicians Union 50 years ago (they tossed me and every other member I knew out from time to time for non payment of dues), and have played electric guitar too loud too often and still do. Ears ring, etc. So now I mix live concert sound to the standards required by Fred Hersch, Julian Lage, The Baltimore Consort, etc., and get overpaid to do so. My "active listening" (meaning paying attention) sessions with my hifi rig have increased my listening abilities and contribute mightily to my ever evolving personal taste. I imagine I’m not alone there...Bob Ludwig is 73...Clearmountain is 65...my former neighbor Elliot Scheiner is 71...can they hear dog whistles? I doubt it, but their dogs can’t apply accumulated perceptive skill to sound production so it’s a wash (sort of, but you get it). Also, I’ve been into sports cars for decades, and a great car is obviously great (to an experienced driver anyway) at any speed. ’69 Lotus Elan? Yep...great. 74 Carrera? Great. My Mini Turbo...a 9 year old 3 series...you don’t need to race them to know they’re excellent, and don’t need to hear speakers at 103db to know they’re working. The "going back to simple gear" concept isn’t lost on me, but you have to appreciate that, for example, a modern single ended hand wired tube amp has better everything in its construction, and speakers that were originally designed in 1957 now have upgraded components and sound WAY better than back in the day. Possible exceptions do exist as old tube guitar amps are often pure magic, but hey, so are lots of new ones.
