The Psychotic Rant of a Former Audiophile
Comments
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opus wrote:My friends all have Harleys. I have a Home Theater. I can't afford to do both so I choose the hobby that I don't have to wear a helmet.(SVS notwithstanding)
Don't know about your friends but my friends look at me as 'weird' for spending all my money on audio gear. They think it's a complete waste of money. I look at their hobbies the same way too:D.
BUT, I always love the look on their faces when they see and hear my system for the first time:).
Maurice -
Re: the "live experience", I've been at far too many rock concerts that simply sounded like crap. I much prefer a well-shot and well-mixed DVD (Toto - Live in Amsterdam, or Heart - Live in Seattle, for example) to an actual concert. The sound is SOOOOOO much cleaner in my living room...
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Tickets are much cheaper as well.polksda wrote:I much prefer a well-shot and well-mixed DVD (Toto - Live in Amsterdam, or Heart - Live in Seattle, for example) to an actual concert. The sound is SOOOOOO much cleaner in my living room...
MichaelMains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms) -
Just have to throw in my thoughts.
First of all, my goal with my system is to achieve a live sound. But not live in the sense of a concert. More "live" as if the musicians are sitting in my room.
Second I do get picky about sound at concerts. I walked out of a Blues Traveler show once because the sound was so loud and distorted that I couldn't understand a word. On the other hand I saw Harry Connick Jr. last year and the sound was AMAZING. I could hear every detail. Even his foot tapping under the piano!!!! :eek:
Also here is a helpful tip to any concert goers, especially rockers. Take a pair of earplugs with you. You will be amazed how much more detail you will hear. Plus you will actually be able to hear your buddies when they are talking to you. And one of the biggest advantages is the lack of ringing ears after the show. After all you don't want to ruin those audiophile ears.
BTW.....All in all I agree with Early. It is too easy to get wrapped up in endless tweaking. We all need to step back from the constant mods and actually enjoy the great systems we have put together!
Welcome back Early and Happy Listening Everyone HT
Mits WD-65737, DirecTV, Oppo DV-970HD, XBOX ONE, Yamaha RX-A1030, Parasound Halo A23, Rotel RB-985, Music Hall MMF-7, Parasound PPH-100, LSi-15, LSi-C, LSi-FX, LSi-7, PSW-1000, Monster HTS2600
2 CH
Parasound Halo P3, Parasound Halo A21, Sutherland Ph.D, VPI Classic 3 w/ 3D arm & Soundsmith Aida Cartridge, Arcam CD72T, B&W 802 S3, Monster HTS2500, -
polksda wrote:Re: the "live experience", I've been at far too many rock concerts that simply sounded like crap. I much prefer a well-shot and well-mixed DVD (Toto - Live in Amsterdam, or Heart - Live in Seattle, for example) to an actual concert. The sound is SOOOOOO much cleaner in my living room...
True. i was at Heart Live in Seattle. the DVD has much better audio on it. See if you can find me in the crowd? LOL i'm way in back off to the right of the stage as you're looking from the stage. PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
For me I have loved music and Instruments since I wa a kid. My mom sings, grandparent play piano and organ, mom plays organ and piano, they bought me a guitar when I was 9. I also learned piano off of the guitar.
I had my first record player, tuner and seperate speakers when I was 7. I remember buying Grease, Saturday Night Fever(moovie soundtracks) and St.Ppeppers Heart club band(Beatles) records, then it moved to Kiss. My mom was heavy into Disco and Barbra Striesand, no naturally I followed. Later Pop and Punk came into my life, my dad hooked me up with my first 8 track, tape deck, receiver and speakers to play Niel Young, The Who, More Beatles and now Rock 80, Billy Joel, and more Kiss.
Over the next years, I played in bands, performed live in my uncles band when I was 12 at the Trenton City Gardens(due to is guitar player getting really sick) I learned all there music in less then a week and performed that Saturday night.
Music has always been in my soul and movies. I was a huge Movie fan. I loved going to the movies. I saw Grease and Saturday night fever(snuck in I was under age) the same day.
Once I tasted a higher level of sound , picture or complete experience, I started my quest to own it. Then once I thought I was there, someting else came along and made me want to go to the next level.
Today I wonder if I lost my way. I pursue the gear way more then the software. I can go to Best Buy and walk out with nothing. Purpose for going there was to buy a new CD and DVD.Take me to a hi fi shop and I can write a list at the door step. Even in here, I have called "the flavor of the month" Mabye not directly at me but the products I'm into at the time. I think about that statement from time to time and wonder.I can't remember the last time I seriously searched for new music for myself. But I can tell you how many times I have been on the Audioquest website in a day.Sad but very true.Even worse, I'm considering upgrading my seperates already. I don't own a subwoofer but I want new seperates. Somethings wrong with that.
I work in the field of which my hobby is the same. I believe this has help my sickness grow. I see all the new gear, meet the engineers who build this stuff,go to the shows and get trained every few months. Work with alot of gear that I can't afford but have a deep desire to own. I try to plan ways t get what I want and find them.
I started out as a music and movie lover and turned into a Gear head.
Not that long ago, I got out of it for awhile. I fade in and out but have that burning desire. I got myself into other things, cars, Outdoors, mountian biking,got back into training martial arts. So I kinda but the audio hobby on the sideline, really never completed my system and left it at that. Now that it's getting coder, I'm spending more time inside, I find myself right back where I was. As all of you know I'm fascinated with wire.Now that Tweeter got rid of Monster, Audioquest is all I think about. It's new, it's wire I really have limited experience with and I want to see if it's better then what I own.
In many ways I agree with the opening post. I can really relate.
DanDan
My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time. -
lomic wrote:I see music live to experience it, and listen at home to enjoy it
Absolutely! -
organ wrote:Don't know about your friends but my friends look at me as 'weird' for spending all my money on audio gear. They think it's a complete waste of money. I look at their hobbies the same way too:D.
BUT, I always love the look on their faces when they see and hear my system for the first time:).
Maurice
Priceless isn't it? -
yep, sure is . Thats why it does not matter the cost. How can I put a value on something that connects with well, the soul?? I love the gear and tinkering with it, but in the end its about the music for me. Always has been, cant say I think that will ever change. When I add a new piece I will listen to the "gear" for a while, but I always seem to end up back listening to the music after a short time.
RT1 -
It can get frustrating at times, hell 2 years ago I was about to sell everything, hunt down all the stuff I had (and LOVED) in the 70's/early 80's and be done with it. Like most any hobby, the more high-tech you get, the more the flaws show.
What snapped everything into focus? 2 things; (1) I weaned myself off the treble knob. (2) I forgot the oldest/best rule of audio---build your system around your speakers. Of course, where I live makes it very difficult to audition anything, so alot of money and trial & error went down before finding my speaker.
If I would have done the above early on, I would have saved lots of money and frustration.
Live & learn.Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2 -
I live for the clubs and concerts that are mind-numbingly loud, but leave no ringing in your ears after you leave. That is where my musical quest started. Loud and Clear.
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why did this thread ever die? it's good to sometimes question your addiction to this hobby PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin: -
Hell EB, I didn't even know you were gone for awhile! I was too busy tweaking & spending money on my system to pay attention!! You make some good points though. The bottom line is that we all pursue things in a different way.
It's a fun thing this hobby of ours & the path we choose to take is the one that keeps us happy & content at the end of the day."2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
Hehe, look at the date of the thread.~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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Hehe, look at the date of the thread.
Well, I take it Early's back by now!! Calling EB, calling EB !! "2 Channel & 11.2 HT "Two Channel:Magnepan LRSSchiit Audio Freya S - SS preConsonance Ref 50 - Tube preParasound HALO A21+ 2 channel ampBluesound NODE 2i streameriFi NEO iDSD DAC Oppo BDP-93KEF KC62 sub Home Theater:Full blown 11.2 set up. -
I think the objective should be to match the "studio" sound. Live sound isn't nearly as good.
Anyway, I think I have an exceptionally accurate system. I love the sound of a really good recording. That makes me smile ear-to-ear. However, accuracy is both a blessing and a curse. All the limitations captured on the CD from a bad recording are infuriating. Almost unlistenable.
My system never fails to reveal exceptional detail. But, some music doesn't benefit from close examination. The good is incredible. The bad is absolutely horrible. And, mostly, the middle is a little disappointing. -
Just have to throw in my thoughts.
First of all, my goal with my system is to achieve a live sound. But not live in the sense of a concert. More "live" as if the musicians are sitting in my room.
Second I do get picky about sound at concerts. I walked out of a Blues Traveler show once because the sound was so loud and distorted that I couldn't understand a word. On the other hand I saw Harry Connick Jr. last year and the sound was AMAZING. I could hear every detail. Even his foot tapping under the piano!!!! :eek:
Also here is a helpful tip to any concert goers, especially rockers. Take a pair of earplugs with you. You will be amazed how much more detail you will hear. Plus you will actually be able to hear your buddies when they are talking to you. And one of the biggest advantages is the lack of ringing ears after the show. After all you don't want to ruin those audiophile ears.
BTW.....All in all I agree with Early. It is too easy to get wrapped up in endless tweaking. We all need to step back from the constant mods and actually enjoy the great systems we have put together!
Welcome back Early and Happy Listening Everyone
All concerts with electronics will sound different depending on who put it together, the hall and how loud it is. Live music is as rare as the Dotto Bird. Live music by my defination doesn't use electronics. There is no standard live music to compare to anymore.
I went to a Roberta Flack concert in Boston's Symphony Hall and they had 20 speakers every where on the stage. The sound was horrable and way too load. I walked out after the second song. Boston's Symphoney Hall has one of the best natural sound in the country. To use speakers there is a sin.
If you use ear plugs and paid more than $50 for a concert, LEAVE and admit you got screwed.
"Music is the best" FZ -
Just re-read my post. Damn, that sounds good.:p
Hell, I probably upgraded something the day after I posted it. Today, I'm closer to living those words. Haven't upgraded anything in several months (although I have my eye on a bigger amp).;)HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
There is no such thing as a former audiophile. Once you are in, you are in for good. There is no escape.Sharp Elite 70
Anthem D2V 3D
Parasound 5250
Parasound HCA 1000 A
Parasound HCA 1000
Oppo BDP 95
Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
Totem Mask Surrounds X4
Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
Sony PS3
Squeezebox Touch
Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door. -
Tone, the ultimate addiction, gotta get me a fix.
RT1 -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »Tone, the ultimate addiction, gotta get me a fix.
RT1
That is my exact thought and my pursuit, TONE! The matched tone of the instruments is what I need to feed my addiction. -
For me it's the intersection of a few things. A hobby, finding something new different and exiting, coupled to the guys penchant to wanna fix somthin' that ain't even broke....arr arr arrrr!!!!
Music was way before Hi-Fi for you and I.
I used to fall for artists and bands hearing 'em from a passing car radio or on tv, the weekend cruise, then seek out their material, bad audio environs. A surprisingly good warm-up band at a concert.
A demo of music I'd hear on some nice system once in a while.
More often, it's from forum recommendations, online sampling, blind buys, cutout bins, or a demo of music I havn't heard--or bettered--on a fine system.
I've got more music then I could listen to till I'm dust. Yet on their way are 'Black Parade','In Rainbows','Map of the World','Voices From The Dust Bowl',and 'Dreaming Wide Awake'.>>>thanks wingnut<<<:)
Collecting, gear, music, tweaks, is about enjoyment...stay in focus of what you get out of it not what it gets out of you. For most, audio's a phase one of many that come and go. -
reeltrouble1 wrote: »Tone, the ultimate addiction, gotta get me a fix.
Problem is -- great tone doesn't mean the music will sound better. My last system had tremendous tonality, but it sounded a bit sterile.
Consider this -- when you listen to live music (i.e., a symphony) with multiple instruments, you don't normally hear the tone of every instrument. Rather, you hear a blending of the instruments which is what makes the sound "musical."
The ultimate addiction isn't tone, it's musicality. This is measured by how hard you bob your head, tap your toe, play your air guitar, get up and boogie, and how often you press the replay button.HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
To me, stereo listening is about the emotion that it conveys to me. It is easier for me to feel an emotional involvement with the music sitting at home in my room, by MYSELF, than any live concert could duplicate. Part of this emotional involvement is attributed to all the properties we define as audiophile in nature.
Live shows, especially rock, are all about the energy of the event.
Just my thoughts,
MikeModwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Consonance cd120T
Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
Usher CP 6311
Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote -
OMG!!!! EB you GET IT! you honestly & truly GET IT!!!! THANK YOU!!!:)The ultimate addiction isn't tone, it's musicality. This is measured by how hard you bob your head, tap your toe, play your air guitar, get up and boogie, and how often you press the replay button.Marantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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OMG!!!! EB you GET IT! you honestly & truly GET IT!!!! THANK YOU!!!:)
Gee, thanks for being patient and believing in me. I couldn't have done it without you.:pHT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50 LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub
"God grooves with tubes." -
WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!:D:D:DGee, thanks for being patient and believing in me. I couldn't have done it without you.:pMarantz AV-7705 PrePro, Classé 5 channel 200wpc Amp, Oppo 103 BluRay, Rotel RCD-1072 CDP, Sony XBR-49X800E TV, Polk S60 Main Speakers, Polk ES30 Center Channel, Polk S15 Surround Speakers SVS SB12-NSD x2
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A bunch of years ago, Bob Carver went to visit a mad audio scientist friend. He said when he got there the guy had like 24, 200 watt amps in a daisy-chain/gang bang configuration, able to deliver all the power as if one giant amp. The guy was trying to ACCURATELY re-create the sound of a pair of household scissors making one snip. When viewed on the o-scope it was apparent the amps were driven into clipping trying to re-create that sound.
Full symphony orchestra? Thousand watts per channel? It's not happening. I stopped upgrading a long time ago. It was all very timely. It was right around when my ears started DOWNgrading, so it was pretty easy to take. -
These audiophiles.... they vibrate?
I like music... does that make me one? I like it to sound good too, I forgot to say that... I like music and I like it when it sounds good. OH! I keep forgetting things today. I like GOOD music and I like it to sound good. I don't care for bad music, so whether it sounds good or not, I don't really mind... does that make me a bad person?
I am listening to music now, it sounds pretty good, but not as good as it COULD!!! Wait... how do I know? I don't, since I have never heard the studio master tapes of this band in the studio of which it was recorded originally. I think it sounds good. I am enjoying it. I want to think that is what really matters... but... then again, it's fun to test the limits of my perception. The dark void, the unknown, the drive to experience something different. It may not be better, it may sometimes be worse, it usually is just different, but it is fun, unless it isn't.
I like music and I like it when it sounds good... -
Why do we torture ouselves?
