How old is too old?


Quick but hopefully interesting story. I have been playing high end for 30+ years and I will be turning 65 in a few weeks. Not that long ago I had told my very understanding wife that I had pretty much reached the end of the obsessive journey. I had reached the point where replacing ANYTHING of significance was financial insanity. While I acknowledge that my hearing is no longer what it used to be, I still enjoyed listening. I took heart that many great conductors continue well into old age. So basically, my passion and the rest of my life had reached a peaceful balance. On the other hand I still searched Audiogon most days and have been thinking of a Marantz 10B lately. Old habits... Well, I still believed that something was missing but with the loss of all the Stereo stores, it is damned difficult to hear much of anything let alone compare products. Recently had a chance to hear the Chicago Sym do a rehersal and was reminded how good real music could sound. Without all the details, Wilson and ML are key parts of the system. My speaker cable was from a respected company and quite well thought of. Hadn't even thought about it in years, it was just there. Some fine gentleman was sellig the length of speaker cable I needed for $400 for a cable that retailed for $2200, partially because it had been run through the floor and left scuff marks. My set up runs throught the floor so per-scuffed seemed a fine deal. I hoped for some improvement.

I am enjoying my sound system again with more outright fun than I would have thought possible. Speaker cable! And at 65 years old. For $400. None of us ever get to the end of this hobby and who would want too? If there is a moral to this story besides that High End Stereo probably should have a diagnostic code in the DSM, you are never so old that this still can't be fun if you don't take yourself or your sound system more seriously than is reasonable. I still fine in humorous that after spending mega-bucks, $400 went from pretty good to real good.
kkurtis
As Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull once said, "You're never to old, old old, to rock and roll, roll, roll.............". He could have added "or any other form of music that you love"! I'm 61 and still listening to my system avidly, have about $15,000 sunk into it. Have 1163 LP's and 500 CD's, all genres except rap and country, and still out looking for more. Oh yeah, and I still have an old Fender Stratocaster and Peavey Dual 12 amp I play. I just added a Joule Electra LA 150 Mk 2 preamp last year, so still looking to improve my system. Rock on, guys!!
Music has become one of the most important things in my life as I have aged , of coarse family members are first . As I get older the music just seems more important and I have know intension of slowing down with music or equipment purchases . There are something's you just can't put a price on , my daughter and my music are two . In fact it's the upgrades , mega buck or mega cheap that help fuel my passion for audio and music . Have a great musical day , Tim
I so agree that music has become much important as I passed the age of 50. I finally let go of the purse strings and jumped into finding the best system for dollars. I always had plenty of quantity, but the necessity for quality took a quantum leap.

Yep, those people who spend the money on a car. I have been driving for 37 years, did I just say that, and driving is just a means of getting around anymore. My true pleasure comes from music, and hearing it done as well as possible. Certainly a lot more pleasure is derived than from a 'car' depreciating like crazy and just getting me from A to B.
57 and learning to play the guitar. I'm getting alright too. Then there are the younger musicians I'm getting to know and going to their live shows. Plus I've been jamming with them lately and they say I sing pretty good too. Now I'm looking for a new dac or universal player. maybe a turntable too. What, too old? Rock on.
You're never too old to enjoy music and great equipment makes music more enjoyable. I'm 71 and just bought a pair of Tannoy Canterburys. Best speakers I've ever had and I've had plenty-Avantgarde Trios, Maggies, Hornings, etc.They're all great speakers and it's still fun trying different styles out.I have 1000's of LP'S collected over the years so I'll be listening till I croak. Still playing jazz on my guitar, although a little arthritis takes it's toll.Never give in to age.