Do you, or did you, have Audiophile buddies that you shared music, gear, times with?

@whatjd ,

The actor Steve McQueen had told his son, Chad, after his son had a hardship, Steve said "life ain't fair"....perhaps simplified, but rooted in truth. 


To suggest anything to the contrary would be irresponsible. Yet it happens all the time.

Three of my male friends are into audio too, and a whole load of other stuff too. Our areas of overlap are sci-fi/Doctor Who, classic films/TV, music etc.

Two of them are into gaming but as a chessplayer I've find any gaming beyond Gran Tourismo and Tekken a little too stressful. 

Sadly we've gradually slightly drifted apart. Only one of them got married, albeit only for a short time (he never talks about the split - just something about their differences. One of them pretends to be a hard man (absolutely not), and another won't come out and admit he's gay. We all know he is, but it's his choice.

Interestingly enough, 2 of them have shown a lot more interest in the Christian church in recent times. 

We also seem to be split on politics and Covid. All 3 of them are more inclined to hold left wing views, yet I'm the only one who has studied history, politics and economics.

I just realized that I'm the only one now left with my parents still alive. Hmm.

Me, I try to act as if I'm control and have the answers. I don't think I have a clue. My life seems to have become like it's on a conveyor belt with most of it obscured from vision.

Just getting from day to day keeping mind, body, marriage, family and finances together.

All of us are quite precious about our hi-fi in a similar way that many are about their cars (yes, yet another psychological research project). However time has brought better perspective to our lives.

Lockdowns have put paid to our regular music evenings, at least for now. So our main contact has been via the phone and WhatsApp.

Anyway, it has been a privilege to find others who have shared both my passion (and neurosis) regarding audio playback.
I am very grateful for all of those shared times together.

We were like children playing.   

I have one left in Washington state. Been bud, for 47 years. I heard him playing a guitar on his porch. I was amazed.. I was a mechanic, he was a tree surgeon. Been best of friends every sense. Me moved to take care of his MIL.  Now to move back is just a pain in the rear.

Heck if it wasn't for family I might be tempted, to move that direction.. My problem, I keep liking warmer winter climates, and cooler summers.  I can drag my music with me.. San Antonio type climate. My bones just quit aching. :-) He's saying the same thing, He's never gotten use to all the rain.. Warmer climate.. I sure like it up there though.. Sheldon...

He was a Polk Audio guy, still is. STA, or RTA, I can't remember, HUGE speakers... Lots of drivers.. My Bud...Once a month or so....we talk..
Music, what he has recorded, the dogs, our health, our stories... LOL

My Friend...

Regards

Thank you to all.  Sharing and caring is so much a part of the best of America's history.  I had the awful situation of picking up the dead twice in the military, including children, but I also had/have some of the best with my children and friends.  Perhaps the hard times tempered me and made me a better person, but I don't actually believe that.  What made me who I am is/was my family.  My great grandparents, my grandparents and my parents flow though my choices and what I have done to help others, especially in helping others that are not relatives or friends.  I have helped those that had terrible childhoods, and have seen the greatness that good childhoods can help to make happen.  I think that is part of the holiday season, remembering the whys of life, and the whys in so many things/ways. 

I am lucky to have 3 nearby audiophile friends: one in town, prior frequent visits here/there; two others, both 1 hr away, occasional visits until very limited visits with masks. Luckily met Bill here, 1 hr away.

Discussions, advice, shared experiences, past audio shows NYC together as well as listening and exposure to new artists.

nearby friend has upscale everything, cables on elevators, lead shot/sand equip stand, dumbbell weights on CD player, custom speakers, pricey interconnects, power controller and cords ... Sounds wonderful.

He comes here, loves my system. I sometimes bring his cables here for comparisons. Hearing no difference has saved me a lot of money over the years. He enthusiastically got into digital streaming, not for me.

I’m the only one with Reel to Reel. They, like everyone else pick LP over CD and Tape over LP, and Tube over SS. I’m also only one with active FM, via dedicated antenna to Vintage McIntosh Tube Tuner/Preamp mx110z. I aimed my antenna to WBGO Jazz, others are amazed, so many have never heard FM other than car radios.

Also joint visits with masks to a few stores with vinyl, if near NJ:

lots, great finds, good prices

http://www.the-record-collector.com/

smaller, good stuff, higher prices

http://www.prex.com/

huge, got excited, very disappointed, mostly cds

https://vvinyl.com/shop/

I need to get back up to this small but fun store

https://www.google.com/search?q=buy%20lps%20near%20me&rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS881US881&oq=buy+lps+ne...

several in nearby NYC, 1 hr by train, out of the question now

I have a core group of friends that have been hanging around together for my 56 years. We all share the love of music, but I seem to be the only one with an obsession for it. They do like to come over for a beer or 3 and have a listen, though!