Turned back into a music lover

Simonmoon,

I guess in your case, it is not a dichotomy or a problem. For me, and if I’m to believe many discussions on this forum, it is for others too. The obsession with sound can take over and rob you of your enjoyment of the music.
Consider yourself one of the lucky ones. I’m sure there are others like you.

BTW, Nice pipe

OP,

“The obsession with sound can take over and rob you of your enjoyment of music.”

I absolutely agree. I think this is a natural dichotomy. Since evaluating equipment is most naturally an analytical task. This is a natural thing… and can led to losing track of the point. Certainly not everyone is like this. Some folks are mostly into the analysis and pursuit of high sound quality… nothing wrong with that. But for us normal humans… the balance presents a challenge.

Your point very relevant.

I'm much like Simonmoon in that I can listen in both modes. I'm a modder, so often changing out little things like caps, resistors, etc. After changes I'm initially in analytical mode, if change is positive, I'll segue into music lover mode, this without any conscious effort. I can always tell if a change not good in that I remain in analytical mode. Of course, this sometimes takes time in that both mind and components and/or parts undergo 'burn in'.

Over the years, as my system has improved and matured, I find myself nearly always in music lover mode. As for changes, I've improved my batting average over the years, almost never strike out these days.

I'd agree with another poster who mentioned recordings as a variable for listening mode. There have been times in the past when I doubted my system when listening to previously unheard recordings. If they were of mediocre or worse quality I would go into analytical mode which then led to doubts. As system has matured, thus, subject to much less change, I now doubt my system much less often which lends itself to full time music lover mode, even with those previously unheard recordings. At this point, I have much greater surety regarding recording quality at face value, this lends itself to much more easily entering and remaining in music lover mode with nearly all recordings.

@mahgister, I can agree with your observations overall.

Since I'm deep into my diy 'stuff', listening in an analytical fashion comes with the attempt.  It has to, although just the enjoyment of "Hey, that worked!" still pulls one into the enjoyment and entertainment of what's being played for Proof.... ;)

I 'do what I do' to move the latter along....even if only for my own grins, and to make one wonder why I'm happier with my 'pile' v. their system.

I need only to impress myself, ultimately.....much like most.  😏

Right?

I dont remember the times when you are wrong... I think you are rarely wrong and with plenty of humor...

For sure you are right another time...

My best to you....

@mahgister, I can agree with your observations overall.

Since I'm deep into my diy 'stuff', listening in an analytical fashion comes with the attempt.  It has to, although just the enjoyment of "Hey, that worked!" still pulls one into the enjoyment and entertainment of what's being played for Proof.... ;)

I 'do what I do' to move the latter along....even if only for my own grins, and to make one wonder why I'm happier with my 'pile' v. their system.

I need only to impress myself, ultimately.....much like most.  😏

Right?