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

Of all of my addictions my addiction to music is the one that has been a positive influence on myself and my family. Those who are married to a spouse who also loves music might be able to identify with what I am saying here. We listen to music together and we learn a lot about music together. Now that we have kids I spend a lot of time listening with them. I am careful not to teach, but I do watch their reaction to the music I play while they are listening. I find this fascinating, because music is a second language, and it is universal.
My second addiction is audio gear, and it is because my family loves music along with me that I can get away with spending way more than I should on attaining the gear that makes music sound like music.
The down side to both of these addictions is I sometimes come across as a music snob or a gear snob. Mostly a music snob though, so I guess that is the label I prefer of the two. It shows where my true passion lies. Music is most important because it does not require hi-fi equipment to make or hear it. I've even spent several years recording music shows that I've attended. That addiction is in recession now but I suspect one day I will break out my DAT walkman and start recording again.

Probably the best answer is that hi-fi should be used to get closer to the music. Good sound serves good music, but you shouldn't need good sound to enjoy good music.

The problem with dudus audiophilus is that if "some" is good, then "more" must be better. And off you go, on the quest for that final percent. I will never forget taking a friend to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (main floor, center section, back third .... killer sound), and he said "That's not the sound I want!"

So after I finished laughing, I said "But that IS the sound!" We talked some more, and he asked me how I could be so happy with my system and never change anything, and I said "Because I have the music, and it sounds really good."

People drive themselves crazy trying to get a system that sounds like a live musical event, which is impossible. You think it's happened, then you go hear live music and say, "Uh, oh ...." There's a reason we go to concerts, right?

Reproduced sound is like looking at a photograph, in that it arouses memories of the actual event. You can get those memories whether you're listening to a song that you've downloaded to your smart phone, or via a home audio rig that costs as much as a luxury car. Who hasn't driven around the block to finish off a favorite song in the car?

For me, the music is the point, whatever form it takes. Once, I played my much-loved LP copy of Husker Du's "Land Speed Record" live set for some audiophiles, and you should have heard the howls. But a high end system helps you get closer to the claustrophobic, over-the-top mood present that night in 7th Street Entry. The tunes are the thing.

Even the biggest audio moron will write he loves music..what do you expect?
I know a lot who have absolutely no idea but they love to spend money on audio gear. That's all. I listened to so many horrible systems, I can't count them anymore. And when I say that to the owner, he hates me for that as long as I live. Love for music? What a joke. Music CAN be pain on certain Systems.
Sometimes it can be a trip into a Performance, but only sometimes..

Rok2id. Maybe those people who only own 5 albums really treasure the sound of those and want the very best reproduction system to hear them on. Some have deep pockets and can afford the gear. Many deep pockets also spend a lot of time working and traveling and do not have the time to listen to music as maybe you or I do. I have seen many ads for top tier equipment with the reason for selling is a lack of time to listen.

You seem to think their equipment is for show. If it is, why worry about it? If that's what they get off on, so what? But I'm not sure there is much to show in a $100k system today, when most people are thrilled to have an IPod. I think $100k would buy something more cool or hip than a stereo system.

A Corvette ZR1 would probably get much more attention without all the questions that a $100k stereo would get. Most people would think it utterly silly to spend that much money on a music system when there are IPods for much less. But everyone understands the ZR 1 and won't question the sanity of someone who spends the $$$ on it
Just a thought

Artemus_5:

I agree with all your points. I don't think the vast majority of people buy high-end for show. I appreciate well made beautiful things also. If money was no object would I have the system I have now? NO WAY! My point of contention with high-end audiophiles, is that they seem to think that ANYTHING that can be identified, can be HEARD by humans. Also that high-grade components will always be HEARD. I just beg to disagree.
I realize they also say measuements have nothing to do with how a piece sounds.