How do YOU justify this hobby?


This might seem like a stupid question, but I want to know how people can justify this Hobby.

Myself, the real answer is a bit complex and mystical, and maybe I will post it later on down the line.

The answer I give to the average person who askes: How do you justify your $30k sound system? or How can you justify spending $1k on 1M of wire????

My answer: Some people collect art. Do you consider music art? [This gets them thinking, and thy always reply 'yes'] Well I own over 700 pieces of art, these are called CDs. My music system is a Window to this art. It is the way the art is experienced. [Next I ask, if you had a nice piece of art would you not want it to be viewed the best way possible? Damn, I love this argument.] This is why I want the most transparent music system I can buy. I love music and it is art. I cannot own an original Picaso, but I CAN own a piece of music that was composed by Bach. And this piece of music is about the best a layman can own of Bach since he is deceased. The best thing would be actually able to play Bach pieces well yourself. This is a whol,e other discussion.

Anyway, tell us how you justify this hobby. Even if you do not go as overboard as I or others do (spending thousands on Ics... etc).

Peace.

KF
128x128tok20000
My experiences pretty much determined that if I have to "justify" my system, then nothing I say is going to change the other person's belief system that $50,000 is ridiculous for stereo equipment. However, there are those music aficionados who are amazed by the "lifelike" music emanating from my two speakers, and they need no justification.
Music is as old as mankind.The persuit of good music is equally as old.Perhaps those that do not understand are the troubled ones.Very few things are more basic to the wellbeing of humanity. Imagine a world with no music or a world with only noise.Fingers on a chalk board,jackhammers,screaching tires saws,ect... Music is needed ,Good music is only human.To be the best that you can be.That's what has brought us up from the level of other animals. When you don't appreciate music or you can't understand the need to improve it then I can't help to think that may have something to do with the the problems we humans have created.
Tireguy, you're right! Cocaine isn't as expensive or as addictive as being at the mercy of an audio "jones"! Ucmgr, when I think about how much money (and aggrevation!) that I have saved by selling my boat, hi-end audio seems down right cheap! I think that audio is a lot like cars and drivers...some people will drive any crap car as just transportation, and other people LOVE driving and feel that the actual drive in a great performing machine is half (or more) of the fun!