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Do You Love Music or Do You Love Hi-Fi?

I know a lot of hi-fi enthusiasts who seem to have poor taste in music but can talk all day about their audio gear. I got into the high end audio hobby because of my love for music first and foremost, and this has done a pretty good job in guiding my decisions around what equipment to buy. Don't get me wrong, I Jones really hard on gear, but at the end of the day it's not about the gear but how great the music I love sounds on the gear I buy. I study music and learn all I can to discover new music to enjoy, regardless of the genre, but I am certain that I will not be investing in the latest Jennifer Warnes vinyl re-issues. I also wonder why Mo-Fi issued the first three Foreigner albums on vinyl. Are there really that many hard core audiophiles asking for this? There are so many great recordings that are begging for the high end vinyl treatment, it makes me wonder who these people are making decisions about what to release on these labels? I'm sure the entire Don Henley catalog is coming soon from one of these labels.
OK, I'm done ranting, but I really do want to hear what others think about this. Or is it just me? Is it about the gear or is it about the music for you?
128x128snackeyp
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
Its seems as if a lot of high-end owners love to listen to girls with long pressed hair strumming on a guitar. Very simple music. Easy to record. Easy to reproduce. Wonder why they need ultra gear.
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ladavid
79 posts
 
Was actually thinking about this question in the book store at lunch today. Was supposed to be xmas shopping but went right to audio magazine section to check out the new stereophile and then thought if I love music more than gear I really should be going to the music section first and checking out Jazz Times, or Mojo, or Grammaphone....curious I didn't and was more interested in the gear reviews in Stereophile than the new Shelby Lynn album review in Mojo. Not sure what this says other than I really do like the new Black Keys album but think I like my speakers more.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
I don't understand the attraction of audio gear, without a love of music. Could someone speak to that? Maybe someone could start a business selling amps, CDPs and speakers minus the electronics and drivers within. Just empty cases. That would be cheaper and they would look just as good as the real thing.
artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,992 posts
 
Isn't that akin to asking, Do you love taking road trips or do you love the automobile? Can you love one without the other? I've taken 500 mile road trips in a 72 Pinto wagon, a Yamaha XS11 Special motorcycle, a 1973 Chevy pickup truck, an 83 Buick LeSabre, 97 Chrysler LHS and an 06 Toyota Avalon Limited.
I can tell you this. After discovering how nicely the 83 Buick LeSabre made the trip, I made the decision that I would have nice big comfortable cars to make those trips thereafter. They cost a little more and some may have thought I was trying to make a status statement. But all our family lives 500 miles away or more. No more butt busters for me.
In the same way, I have listened to music on just about every conceivable music system available. Some really good. Some not so good. Since music has always been a vital part of my life, why shouldn't i put as much thought and concern in my music delivery system which gives me pleasure and comfort as I do my automobiles which deliver me and my family safely and comfortably?
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