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When I listen to my system.......

As I have stated many times, I listen to the musicianship and the composition. As I listen to SRV, just as an example, there are three musicians working together to create a "performance". How is it that anyone can put tone, sound staging, or anything else with the "sound" before the performance. There is much information on our recordings, and generally, many of these recordings are just so so with the fidelity. In fact, why do many listeners only listen to top notch recordings of higher fidelity, of the "sound", rather than appreciate those qualities I look and listen for. Is it because I was a singer / vocalist in my youth? Is it because I was around musicians who shared the joy of "music"? Is it because at a very early age, I was introduced to big band music and eclectic performances by so many, via my dad (he would have been 100 today; happy birthday dad). Yes, I consider myself an audiophile, because I spend money on gear and am careful with my dedicated room....my system allows me to hear more of the performance. But, it is the "music", the "performance", that matters most to me. I suppose I am feeling a bit nostalgic today, because of my pops. I am bringing this up again, because I do not understand the mentality of folks who listen differently than I. I know this subject might be ad nauseum to many, but some of the folks I used to design systems for, became less interested in the music, and more about the sound, placing the music and performance secondary, or not at all. I am just venting. If you would like to add to this post, I welcome all thoughts. No judgement from me. I wish everyone well. Enjoy! MrD.

mrdecibel
2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,586 posts
 

“We see what is behind our eyes, not what is in front of them”. I cannot recall who said that but it informs in so many ways. We all bring our own experiences, preferences, history and attitudes to the listening of music. I don’t see any right or wrong as was mentioned by others here. In the end, listening to music on a stereo is not that important in the large scope of life. I don’t take it too seriously.

boxcarman
420 posts
 

Guys, we a different brains.  We put different values on different things.  I have a get-together once a month with about 8-10 friends at anybodys house.  Some guys have mediocre stereos at best. Bose, 70's receivers etc. One out of ten is interested in my stereo and asks any questions about it. Most are indifferent or don't care.  We all get along great but everyone has a different approach to music and how well it is produced.  But what music we play is THE most important thing.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

I would probably NOT listen to neither SRV nor Simon-Garfunkel nor to most of the RR Hall of Fame or other pop. Too trivial and too boring even if my system can shine on these artists that I don't care much about.

I consider myself tune-holic and I mostly hunt for new stuff and new talents that I'm interested listening. There's some of collector left in me when I also hunt for forgotten rare releases that to me sounds like a newly discovered music/band or artist.

I forgot when I last time Pink Floyd was sounding from my system and I'm sure it was that original and underrated Syd Barret's Pink Floyd. 

musicfan2349's avatar
musicfan2349
237 posts
 

 I am blessed. Not only am I content with my current mostly vintage system, I'll be way more than content with my pop's system when I can set it up. It'll be like Christmas. So why am I blessed? Simple: I can step off the upgrade treadmill. Sure I'll continue to look at tweaks like maybe a new cartridge occasionally or room treatments once I get a new room in our next home. I recently upgraded my headphones. But I need not suffer the "wonderful anguish" of which new speakers or amplifier to $pending kilobucks on. I just don't need to. LPs? New jazz is always welcome but classical? Pop left me 2,300 LPs If I can't find something to enjoy in there something is wrong with me! I think I'm set.

All of this to say that now I can focus on enjoying the music a bit more. Am I gloating? Well, maybe a little... wink

Happy listening.

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larsman
1,961 posts
 

I've always wondered about people saying a sound system 'got their foot tapping' or something like that. To me, it was music and a beat that got my foot tapping, whatever it was played on. In the 60's, it was often a hand-held transistor radio. Foot had no problem tapping when Beatles, Stones, etc etc came on. My big audiophile system will not get my foot tapping if it's not playing a song conducive to it. 

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