How does one "Get lost in the music"?

Good point! It helps to be able to carve out the time. A constant rushed lifestyle is probably not conducive to the traditional audiophile thing.

Maybe the trend towards more rushed lifestyles these days in general is one of the biggest barriers towards more people getting into home audio? Hence, the trend towards the more portable solutions, some of which can sound pretty darn good as well, at least on their own terms.

Sure beats the transistor radios and walkmans of years past in regards to sound quality.

I'm sure there are many that get lost in the music listening to their ipods while on the run.

Newer Ipods are not bad for what they are I find and there aare some very fine quality earbuds with both good tonality and detail available as upgrades over the standard issue ones.

Mapman--earbuds? I haven't heard any good ones yet, but an iPod will power some decent headphones.
Alonksi, I presume you meant to type 1961? By 1971 stereo was in full swing and even home cassette decks were starting to appear. The Beatles, who had gone full circle from hard left/right pan mixes to nice soundstage presentations, were defunct. It had all been done by then.

I use the Klipsch s4 buds with my Squeezebox radio in the
bedroom. Buds are an acquired taste, and fit and comfort
can be tricky, but these sound pretty darn good when
properly fitted. Also very good at the pool with Pandora
and internet radio on ipod touch.

Won't be replacing my home hifi stuff anytime soon though.

I also have smaller Stax electret phones on my family room
system for years. These are very nice sounding and easy on
the ear.

Ack! sorry... I didn't express myself clearly, Tostadosunidos –– I was referring to when it was that I actually experienced stereo for the first time. I was all of 10 years old. I don't think I saw a cassette or 8-track tape for a few years after that. The cutting edge of technology missed my neighborhood completely.

if its the music that is primary, it doesn't matter what the sources is--boom box, radio, stereo, sing to yourself.

if you like music there should no problem enjoying it. provided you don't have "non compos mentis" syndrome.

any sane person can enjoy music, regardless of sound quality.