What stereo equipment do respected musicians listen to?

@dgluke WTF?

@yoyoyaya I agree. Fortunately I can turn off my musician brain and turn on my music lover brain.  But then, I'm not a great musician; I have to work very hard at it. My friends that are what I consider "real musicians" confound and amaze me with their talent and ability. Yes, none can afford much of anything and due to the constant financial tension, most are divorced. Very sad to see such supremely talented folks suffer so much.

But there are exceptions. We have an internationally respected, local classical saxophone player. No commonly used in the genre. I'm used to jazz sax. The tone this guy gets is unworldly, unlike anything I've ever heard. His daughter is equally talented and respected. He was rewarded five stars for both sound quality and performance in an Absolute Sound CD review. He has a SOTA, purpose built listening room with the largest Magnapans and TOTL Bryston monos. A clear exception to most musicians. After hearing active ATC speakers, he would like to sell the Magnapans and Bryston. That was just before the pandemic. I don't know if he ever made the switch, probably because his income plummeted at the time.

I think this simple question will separate musicians from music lovers; what do you do when you have some spare time to relax? The musician will pick up an instrument. The music lover will listen to an album. Although I'm both, I always end up in my favorite listening chair. I'm guessing it's why I'm only a mediocre musician compared to my professional friends. So, that may be one reason you usually see a very low cost stereo in a musicians home. Between gigging, practicing and making ends meet, there is not much time to listen. Also, as an engineer, when I got home from work, the last thing I wanted to do is anything to do with engineering. Perhaps many musicians get home and need a break from music so they watch TV or something completely non-musical.

Great thread and thanks for the many thoughtful responses.

vinylvalet, I agree entirely with you. I am also  a songwriter/musician and part time recording engineer. Thankfully, I can switch off the deconstructive part of my musical brain when I'm listening to the hi fi. Because I spend so much time writing, playing and recording, I actually find it a relief to just listen to music, without having to do the other stuff. My income is not reliant on anything to do with the recording/performance side of music so the hi fi is funded from other work.

Andrea Bocelli listens to Franco Serblin (SF)

Bocelli's letter to Franco

Dearest Mr. Serblin,

I am sitting in front of the speakers and, whilst listening to my album... I felt the need to sit down in front of the computer to write and congratulate you for the quality of these speakers and the pleasure they give me whilst listening. Even my voice seems warmer and more beautiful!! A real home theatre, where the singer is right there, in front of you. ...many congratulations for "a possession for ever"

Andrea Bocelli.

@yoyoyaya We're peas in a pod. Nice to meet you.

I'd like to share one more observation if I may. Once a musician achieves some degree of notoriety, much of what you see on stage has been given to him by smart marketeers in order to promote their product.

I believe the same is true for consumer gear a really famous guy, say, like Rick Rubin would own, I'm sure his high end system was at best sold to him at cost and most probably way less. Hell, I'd give Rick Rubin a really nice system if I could hang with him for a few days. What musician with the means wouldn't???

Just for fun, Sir Paul and Rick. Note: ATC active monitors in the background.

Sir Paul and Rick Rubin