Why Don't More People Love Audio?

Well back in the 19th century many folks in this country purchased pianos which was a BIG purchase and it was more about enjoying music by actually playing it. Of course there were always live performances as well. The "piano in the home" trend continued well into the 20th century peaking in the first decade until sales gradually diminished with the introduction of reproduced music, the phonograph and later radio.

The Hi-Fi "generations" (those music lovers who desire/d and are/were willing to pay for good sound, born no later than, say, the 1960's) were looking to get their recordings to sound as much like live music as possible. Music lovers born after that grew up hearing only non-acoustical live music, so Hi-Fi music reproduction doesn't have as much meaning or value to them. Something like that, anyway.

But even my contemporaries (we're in our 60's), both musicians and civilians ;-), don't seem to be able to sit still long enough to just listen to music. People will sit and watch a movie, but not just sit and listen to music---they get restless, fidgety even. They need to be doing something while music is playing, not give it their focused attention. The quality of currently made music could have something to do with it!

Cdc, you're correct, unfortunately there is no user manual when it comes down to buying audio gear and or trying to assemble a good sounding system. But if you have been in the hobby long enough you just know when you have reached that point of perfection. You might say that's it! that's the sound I've been looking for. I have reached this point on several occasions with different components only to screw it up later because I couldn't leave well enough alone. I think I'm more disciplined now.

This last bunch of “July” posts are wonderful, love the comments by Alpha_gt and those in response to his thoughts.

Also agree about the Piano, the large LP collection and Hi-Fi generation. It’s nice to reflect on these ideas without regard to specific equipment brands.

If marketed better your "rich friends" would be all about high end audio.