Why are you into hi end audio?
The SoundStage! This sounds bad I know unless you're understanding where I'm coming from but trophy audio sounds horrible to me. A system that is tunable though is hard to pull me away from. Lock me away and through away the key. There is nothing like listening to a well developed soundstage. Michael Green |
I think a better question, and one that I ask from time to time (not around here, and often rhetorically...still), is why AREN’T you into high end audio? Answers I get are generally things like, "what's that?"...or "it's so complicated"...or "it's a pack of snobs"...or "my receiver from college still works great"...etc. |
There are "enthusiasts" in every area of human activity; why should music and it’s reproduction be an exception? I find the lack of a deep interest in music of more concern than that of hi-fi. Most of the musicians I know listen to music on their computer’s speakers; Evan Johns’ system was a boom box! The average person (what an insulting thing to call anyone ;-) does not sit and listen to music as a "destination" activity, the focus of one’s consciousness. It is THAT fact, not that HEA audio components have become too high in mass (what an odd contention; my EAR-Yoshino 868L provides better sound than did my ARC L16, and weighs about twice as much. Same with my Herron VTPH-1 vs. my ARC PH3.), that is largely responsible for the decline in sales of high performance music systems. |
I started fooling round with "Hi-Fi" in the mid '50's with a Heathkit mono and homemade speakers. Why? I heard a commercial Hi-Fi at a friends house and was hooked. Since then my inherent love of music and sound got me hooked. In college bought a good system and realized I have to become acquainted with classical music. I was really hooked then. I continued in the physical sciences to advanced degrees but always kept a very good system. I'm older now, and maybe foolishly, now setting up my best system. I could have bought and Audi A6 for this, but my total love of music, well presented, will drive me better than the Audi. With the help of a very good friend in the Audio world I continue for the music! Music first, equipment second. |
"I find the lack of a deep interest in music of more concern than that of hi-fi." Same here. I spent 40 years in a career in residential real estate sales. Over the years, I was inside of thousands of homes, looking into every room. It was always astounding to me how many homes, the vast majority of which, had no music and no books. Big screen TV’s, yes ... but no music and no books. Go figure. Frank |
