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Do we ask too much of our audio systems?

In high school, I taught myself to play guitar and later started playing in rock bands for about 10 years. I used a low powered mono tube record player in my bedroom to study Clapton, BB  King, Page, Hendrix, Beck and all guitar heros of the time and learn how to play. In those years, I never bothered to upgrade my system, mostly because nothing seemed to be able to replay what I experienced playing live in a band, with a Les Paul in hand and a screaming tube guitar amp. As the years went by I built half dozen speakers and had a decent Pioneer front end, using a Philips TT. My system sounded better, but never equalled the emotion and involvement of playing live. So, I guess I grew into Audiophilia thinking nothing is as good as live music. Now I have heard some very good systems and speakers, but still wonder..."am I chasing something un-attainable?" Do we ask too much from our audio systems?
dtapo
oregonpapa's avatar
oregonpapa
4,867 posts
 
The Holy Grail in Audiophilism is to recreate the live event in our listening rooms. As soon as we think we are getting close, that’s the time to attend a performance by a live symphony orchestra. That’s when one realizes how far away one’s system is to that live sound.

So, I would say that for the most part, we are chasing something that is unattainable. What’s important in the home environment, is the emotional connection to the music. If one is getting that, then that’s where it is at. Be happy.

Frank
turnbowm
353 posts
 

oregonpapa4,224 posts05-13-2020 12:45pm"The Holy Grail in Audiophilism is to recreate the live event in our listening rooms.... we are chasing something that is unattainable."

Went through audio "burnout" on several occasions until I realized (and accepted) that the Holy Grail in audio is unattainable. 
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I only want a reasonable facsimile of what’s on the recording. I’ll leave it to others to try to get live music at home. 😐 As Bob Dylan is fond of saying at the end of all his records, good luck with that, dude! Music soothes the savage breast. 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,401 posts
 
“What’s important in the home environment, is the emotional connection to the music. If one is getting that, then that’s where it is at.”

Frank nailed it.  That’s been my goal all along...I am pretty happy where I am with my audio system. There is always room for improvement but one should never loose sight of what you have accomplished.
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