Why do some think "music" (not gear, trading, etc.) is the ultimate end?

@whart Thank you for your eloquent post, and the reference. I’m wanting to write about the experience of listening in an age of technological distraction from the point of view of philosophy, so this is an important thread on which I can pull. My question here is meant to elicit statements which may limn the different value systems people bring to the hobby. In part, it helps me reflect on the excitement and curiosity I still feel for the gear, even though my system is assembled. (E.g. "Why do I still care about the gear? I'm done!" That kind of question.) 

@musicfan2349
It seems in your experience, you found something that was most important of all. 

I would really have loved to been in that room with you for that 2112 spin I'll tell ya.

@hilde45-- You are asking a question that I’m not capable of answering-- it seems to deal with psychology to a large degree. Why are some people deeply engaged by a pursuit and others only have a passing interest? I’m excluding the "I’m not interested at all" but instead focusing on why one person may shop for a stereo, learn enough or rely on advice of friends or a salesperson and be done with the pursuit, happy to utilize the equipment ---as in your example of a toaster-- (I have yet to find a good one these days), where others get bitten by the bug and really do a deep dive into the particular field where it becomes a hobby or passion.
I think in many past threads we’ve already excluded attention getting as a factor-- having a cool car as a poseur is certainly an easier way to attract attention than "wanna hear my stereo?" So, in some ways, the analogy to cars, and perhaps to other hobbyist pursuits fails. (Most car guys I knew were hardcore enthusiasts, not
poseurs, and a lot were capable of turning a wrench).
I suspect it has something to do with a passion that gets fulfilled. There was a guy who collected model trains- his entire basement in Pasadena was walls of enclosed glass shelves with various trains, along with a large model railroad set up. I doubt he did this to attract a mate, or draw attention to himself. There was some need that this fulfilled. Perhaps somebody qualified to speak to this aspect of the human experience can offer insight. I tend to go overboard on most things I do-- it’s sort of my nature if something draws my attention enough.
Of course, there are many things about which I’m completely ignorant. I enjoyed watching Queen’s Gambit knowing I can’t remember even the basics of chess.
My interest in music goes back to my earliest years. I can read, and play but these days rarely do so; I was involved in the industry but at a remove (as outside counsel) and do like gear. So, I can answer the question for myself. But, for others? I think we wind up back at the personal history/background/exposure thing-- and truth be told, both my profession and my interest in this hobby happened to coincide because of my fascination with music. I heard music in my head that I wanted to play but I never considered myself gifted in the way some musicians are--and if you asked them, I’m not sure they could give you a clear answer as to their prowess. Their ability to express themselves came through the music itself (though some are quite articulate).
Not sure most of this is on point, but it’s kind of hard to sum up humanity, passion and creativity in an Internet post. It’s an elusive thing--and one that is endless in the sense that a creative person is always looking forward until they reach an age where they are unable to call upon their gifts anymore. (I had the pleasure of hearing Glenn Campbell on that Goodbye Tour or whatever it was called and it was apparent that he wasn’t all there mentally, but he still had the muscle memory-- his playing was inspired). Sorry to leave this on a bittersweet note- but we all only have so much time-- and that may be a driver of passion too-- the knowledge that all of us are mortal and can only have so much time and energy to pursue whatever it is that makes life worthwhile.

For me the audiophile journey has always been 50-50. I love my music and my gear. The goal has always been to get the best possible sound within a budget that didn’t require selling my soul to the devil, while getting damn close! But it can’t just sound good. I have to really enjoy looking at it even when I’m not listening to it. I love it when non-audiophiles walk in, see it and say "WOW".

I certainly enjoy the music, but I also enjoy dusting and polishing the my equipment, so I guess I can understand both.  If I had technical knowledge, I would probably enjoy testing and replacing the electrolytics (I would jump on buying equipment if I knew how to test and service them).   There must be something to the allure of those blue meters on the Macs, right?

I enjoy watching the equipment review videos, and I also enjoy watching the stereo equipment repair videos, especially those by xraytonyb, even though there are a lot of technical things he talks about that are totally foreign to me (my ex-gf said I was “weird” to watch stuff like that, but I find it interesting).