**** The original question is why do some dismiss the love of gear by the tactic of making music an ultimate end. ****
Simple, because for some it IS the ultimate end. “Making music the ultimate end” is not a “tactic” for many music lovers, it is a reflection of appreciation for the depth of the greatness of inspired music making.
Now, everyone is free to approach and enjoy this hobby any way that it suits him and judging this is pointless. Moreover, I am not aware of any preponderance of “dismissal” of the love of gear on the part of those for whom music is the ultimate end. I love my audio toys, but not nearly as much as I love great music; even if on mediocre recordings. I am frankly surprised at the number of posters that have put the gear on an equal or even superior footing to the music.
Inconvenient truths: First, let’s start with the simple fact that without music the gear is useless; unless put on a shelf for viewing only. That simple fact alone puts music on a higher plane than the gear. The music does not need the gear; the gear needs the music. This goes to the heart of why the live music experience is best of all; as problematic as it may be in some respects, but that’s a different story. While acknowledging the great skill and creativity that goes into designing a great piece of gear, to compare this achievement to that reflected in, say, a Bach cantata or Beethoven symphony; or, the spontaneous inspiration behind a great John Coltrane or Jeff Beck solo strikes me as a bit shallow. Moreover, I would bet that most of the great gear designers would agree and would be the first to acknowledge this.
I am not aware of anyone ever having been brought to tears from staring at a silent pair of speakers.
