In Reply to: The unease of the audiophile posted by Mike K on October 19, 2010 at 10:05:45:
I think this is because when other people are present, there is now a direct acoustic reference that often makes the system sound "electronic" by comparison.............
"1. You will live with a persistent sense that all is not quite well, that you could do better, and that your system is always in need of something."
This is why the live reference, attending live concerts, is paramount. Because it often makes the difference in knowing what that "something" actually is.
"2. In an attempt to compensate for your unease you will develop a highly cynical reaction to reviewers who you will come to believe are at best delusional and at worst corrupt, on the payroll of manufacturers who provide them with audio goodies and more."
Although I do have such cynicism myself, for me it's because I've too often tried the raved products, and ended up disappointed. It's more of a case of "Fool me once, shame on you..... Fool me twice..... "
"3. A further ambivalence is invariably induced by the way audio products are priced. You have every reason to doubt the sanity of a world where a pair of interconnect cables can cost more than a car, and where glib reviewers speak of windows being opened, blacks being blacker, and highs being cleaner as a result. Difficult as you find it to admit, you secretly want to try these in your own system to determine if they actually might do something, which you secretly fear is so."
This was my case, until Item 2 took over..........
"5. You will start to listen to music you never really cared for in the past. Your spouse will become suspicious that your rock and serious instrumental tendencies have given way to smoky voiced chanteuses with, heaven help you, backing bands of players you hardly recognize."
This was almost never the case with me, but this comment raises another issue I was not overly aware of- I did know a few audiophiles who often bought certain recordings to best demonstrate the system, even though the music itself was.... uhhhhhh.... blah............ (Some people classify Diana Krall as falling into this musical category, but I don't. I actually enjoy her music.)
"6) To convince yourself that you are sensible, you will have one product in your rig that is 'killer' for the price."
I cannot speak for others, but having extra $$$ in the bank is a big deal for me. And the more "killer" items for the price in the system, the better.
"7) In an attempt to appear cost-sensitive, you will dabble in DIY. This could take many forms, but your new-found obsession with affordable paper-in-oil capacitors and high-quality resistors will serve as a shield against claims that you have become a nutter."
I only go to DIY if the alternative IMO is overpriced. Too many non-DIY options, however.
Whether or not people here think I'm a "nutter", I don't really care.......
"9. You have become blase about double-blind reviewing. You wish reviewers would do it but you can’t bring yourself to try at home."
Funny...... I try it at home, but wouldn't put much stock in a reviewer doing it..........
"10. Your home will become a temple to your religion. Cables will be dressed, risers bought, pucks placed on tops and speaker positions taped to the floor so you can always move them an inch or two around during a private listening service, safe in the knowledge that your little 'undo' trick will work."
My "temple" looks more like the repair bays of an auto shop than a "boutique" audio store......... And all my cables rest messily on the carpet............
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Follow Ups
- "4. Your system will always sound its worst when other audiophiles come to listen." - Todd Krieger 13:31:49 10/19/10 (26)
- RE: This is why the live reference, attending live concerts, is paramount. - KlausR. 01:06:22 10/20/10 (22)
- RE: This is why the live reference, attending live concerts, is paramount. - Todd Krieger 22:04:49 10/20/10 (20)
- RE: This is why the live reference, attending live concerts, is paramount. - KlausR. 01:46:47 10/21/10 (19)
- Measurements are not equivalent to perception - Tony Lauck 17:31:45 10/22/10 (18)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - KlausR. 23:00:32 10/23/10 (17)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - josh358 12:50:53 10/24/10 (4)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - KlausR. 07:44:35 10/25/10 (3)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - josh358 09:31:29 10/25/10 (2)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - KlausR. 01:40:24 10/26/10 (1)
- RE: Measurements are not equivalent to perception - josh358 05:36:29 10/26/10 (0)
- Recording orchestras - KlausR. 07:25:08 10/26/10 (0)
- RE: Recording orchestras - josh358 09:17:31 10/26/10 (0)
- RE: Recording orchestras - Ted Smith 09:48:12 10/26/10 (0)
- RE: Recording orchestras - josh358 11:53:46 10/26/10 (0)
- Very interesting, Klaus... - genungo 01:52:48 10/24/10 (11)
- RE: Very interesting, Klaus... - josh358 12:56:12 10/24/10 (0)
- RE: Orchestral-sized events are the worst "live reference" - KlausR. 06:01:36 10/24/10 (9)
- RE: Orchestral-sized events are the worst "live reference" - josh358 12:30:00 10/24/10 (3)
- RE: Toole's theory - KlausR. 07:29:18 10/25/10 (2)
- RE: Toole's theory - josh358 08:29:12 10/25/10 (1)
- RE: it isn't possible to make a loudspeaker ... at that price range - KlausR. 02:34:59 10/26/10 (0)
- RE: it isn't possible to make a loudspeaker ... at that price range - josh358 12:08:02 10/26/10 (0)
- RE: Orchestral-sized events are the worst "live reference" - Tony Lauck 11:15:09 10/24/10 (0)
- Radiation behaviour and personal preferences - genungo 07:22:16 10/24/10 (3)
- RE: different types of loudspeakers specialize in different types of radiation patterns - KlausR. 08:36:36 10/24/10 (2)
- "Radiation patterns of loudspeakers and musical instruments have absolutely nothing in common." - genungo 09:40:44 10/24/10 (1)
- RE: "Radiation patterns of loudspeakers and musical instruments have absolutely nothing in common." - josh358 12:38:52 10/24/10 (0)
- More art than science - Tony Lauck 09:44:19 10/20/10 (0)
- Worst when other audiophiles come to listen? Nah...... - Topper 16:50:31 10/19/10 (2)
- RE: Worst when other audiophiles come to listen? Nah...... - jeromelang 19:30:17 10/19/10 (1)
- RE: Worst when other audiophiles come to listen? Nah...... - Topper 20:33:35 10/19/10 (0)