Are audiophiles, the really crazy ones, an endangered species?

[manisandher]

But sometimes I really do regret that I spend too much time tweaking and chasing down SQ improvements when I could be exploring some new piece of music. The latter is far more important than the former IMHO.

Absolutely phenomenal post Paul. Bang on the money IMO.

For my part, I haven't been able to spend much time at all on our hobby these last few months, and what's interesting is that I haven't missed it at all. The few occasions I've been at home and had time in the evenings, I've just listened to music for 20-30 minutes without thinking about tweaking at all. It's been almost liberating! I think being in a place where the SQ really is already 'more than good enough' is a big help.

But I'm not totally out of this hobby. I'll always keep a keen eye on what Peter is up to... just to make sure he isn't driving himself completely crazy... and to keep him on the straight and narrow (need to counteract any sycophantic behaviour here).

Oh, and I'm 48 years old...

Mani.

[rakeshpoorun]

For my part, I haven't been able to spend much time at all on our hobby these last few months, and what's interesting is that I haven't missed it at all. The few occasions I've been at home and had time in the evenings, I've just listened to music for 20-30 minutes without thinking about tweaking at all. It's been almost liberating! ...

Mani.

Hi Mani,

"Liberating"

Don't you just savour that word? One of my favourite words in the English language without a doubt.

I second your sentiments and drink to that.

Best regards
Rakesh

[juanpmar]

Great posts from all of you, sharing some personal and emotive feelings and circumstances. Thanks

Rakesh, thanks to you specially for your kind words, of course no problem in case you have an opinion different than mine. I accept it the same way I accept any other´s opinion.

I´d like to explain myself better just in case I was unable to do it in the first post. Perhaps Peter was right and I beat around the bush a bit.

I agree that internet can or could be a good source for musical culture, I agree also, as I stated in many other posts, that we need to put the tweaks where they must be, just as an instrument to the final goal which is listen and enjoy music.

But in this topic, I was talking about the Audiophiles and specifically about "the madness to pursue the best possible sound until almost exhaustion". What I tried to say is to recognize the merit of the people that, even at the age that many of us have, are still chasing the chimera of the "perfect sound". Perfect in the sense of a sound that is as real as possible. We know that tha´s an illusion, we know that there is no perfect sound except the one you can listen directly, but still we seek.

In the first post I was trying to convey an almost philosophical, existential, idea. The idea of pursuing perfection, that´s what I find meaningful. That´t what I think has a special merit.

And, above all, I see it as a quality that can be applied to many areas of our life.  Go in search of the illusion and strive to approach to it. That´s what I think makes us better. As someone said, the truth is not the at the finish, but on the way.

Kind regards,
Juan

[phantomax]

Perfect in the sense of a sound that is as real as possible. We know that tha´s an illusion, we know that there is no perfect sound except the one you can listen directly

But don't forget that even in that case the experience can be very dissapointing: bad acoustics, rude people around, poor performances, etc.

Said that I totally agree when you say that tweaks are a medium and not the end itself.

Best regards

Maxi

[phantomax]

I wish to mention another questión related to audiophilia and not specifically to music: the HiFi equipment. I mean the physical appearance, the looks of that brushed aluminiums, the valves glowing in the dark ofa quiet winter night 

It is not music but it creates a especial mood and it helps too.

Máxi

PS sorry for the typos... this f****g tablet.

[juanpmar]

Yes Maxi, I agree with your last two posts

Best regards,
Juan