Have your standards/taste in music changed?

I think I'm coming at it from the opposite direction.My interest in Records has spurred a desire for better methods of reproduction.Ultimately though I have developed an interest in Audio that is seperate from the record thing.I also find that with age I am more willing to listen to music that would only have rated a sneer at age eighteen.That would be Jazz other than Bebop.I'm just not the purist I once was.I still worship Bird,but Armstrong and Hoagy Carmichael speak to me as well.In the final analysis I think in high end audio I find that some things just sound so good that I don't need to always be emotionally invested in the music or the artist.It can just be a sensual experience.I hope that doesn't sound like I'm in love with my record player,got enough problems with the wife already.

I think I've probably come full circle. When I was a teen, I listened to the stuff I liked, early Zep, Allmans at the Fillmore, early Traffic, Tull (mostly pre-Aqualung), etc. Once I started to ascend the heights of 'audiophilia,' I learned there were 'audiophile approved' records which were played to demonstrate the 'accuracy' or 'realism' of a system, or just to make it sound good. Alot of these weren't that interesting, musically, or if they were, they got beaten to death as 'demo records' that were almost unavoidable. Fast forward the 40 plus years of which the OP speaks: I'm now listening to what I want, rather than what shows off the system best. If the music and sonics coincide, great. If the music is great, but the sound can be improved by finding a better pressing, I usually do. But, I can't say that 'hi-fi' circles have enlarged my exposure to new or different music.
Exploring new music (whether newly released, new to you, or old stuff that you were aware of, but didn't take time to assimilate fully) is a pretty personal journey. And my taste and preferences change, and change again. I respect highly skilled instrumentalists, or a gifted voice or production, but none of that moves me in a emotional way. There is some intangible aspect to this that goes beyond consummate musicianship or a well written composition. And what I find magical may not be something that moves someone else. Perhaps part of it is mood, too. But, having the ability to get beyond the confines of genre and a willingness to listen to virtually anything without regard to it fitting into the 'type' of music I think I like has opened doors. Right now, for example, I'm digging a band called Patto, which was only extant from around 1969-71. They are categorized as "progressive," but that term fails to capture what they sound like, particularly the second album, Hold Your Fire, which is an interesting mix of jazz, blues-y, a 'rock' singer and a guitarist who plays complex lead lines and 'fills' with the touch and sensiblity of a vibraphone player (which he also was). Obscure, sorta, and great fun. I only got there because I decided to dig deep into a particular catalog, and the band certainly wasn't one of the names you'd know in passing.
I can finish that album, and switch to an old Janos Starker mono record or listen to a track from the Outlaws or one of the Lynrd Skynrd albums and switch to Ellington, followed by Alice Cooper. I haven't made the jump to 78s, but there is so much wonderful music from those early recordings- and a whole other life pursuing them.

I have also noticed a widening of my tastes as I have delved deeper and deeper into this hobby/passion. A lot of my newer developed tastes have come from time spent at audio dealers and audio shows. Hearing what other people are listening to in both venues has exposed me to artists, styles and releases formerly unfamiliar to me. Although there are certain genres of which I just can't develop appreciation.
But to answer your question, not only have I learned to appreciate various electronics, but more so the imagination of musicians that I play through my system.
In a way, recordings are a tweek in themselves to our systems.

No change at all. My taste in music is still terrible, exceeded only by my
horrible taste in audio gear.

bored by r&r so far

I listen to far more classical recordings than when I was younger. With blues and folk/country/bluegrass I prefer the older stuff, especially in the case of blues (20's-50's era).
Rock listening hasn't changed much--I still prefer the music I grew up with and don't have too much stuff past 1980. Nirvana was the last band I bought, I reckon.

My standards have been on a consistent downward spiral with no end in sight.

I am afraid, my personality changed ....

Looking for the intangible something that Whart referred to keeps things going for me. Sometimes it shows up when you'd least expect it. Over time the silliness of dividing music into genres seems to become more obvious. Patto was a fantastic band. They shared musical sensibilities w/ Ellington, Mingus and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Sonically the recordings are not pristine or state of the art, (well maybe on a few moments on Roll em' Smoke em'
are) and Halsall's ability to shred before there was really much of that around by itself didn't make them a great band. There's just something about the way their stuff prints in the brain after a few listens that counts more than perfection and makes some people dig them like few other bands. Kraan is another one that maybe the same could be said for.

Duane thanks for that. The US Vertigo of the first Patto is surprisingly good
and compares favorably with the uk swirl. It is also available for under 100
US which is a fraction of the uk pressing. On Hold your Fire I
"only" have the uk swirl and it sounds great. Unfortunately it is
now in collector's territory. I will check out Kraan.

Brauser-

YES, mine has changed. About 10 years ago I fell in love w/ Jazz. Now, I cannot get enough. Truly-another world.

I came from the Pop, Rock, Classic Rock, Hard Rock/Metal frames of mind. I still enjoy those genre(s), but prefer Jazz music until I get well-versed!
Happy Listening!

The main affect of an interest in Audio is to bring me to artists and labels I would never have heard of any other way. One of the reasons I go to shows is to pick up on new artists(to me that is). Two labels in particular, ECM and stockfisch, have been a revelation. The artists I can think of, Mark Murphy, Michael Camillo, David Munyon, Sarah Madsen, Lorri Mckenna, Sara K and many more. Now I am not saying these are niche, unheard of artists, just I would never have come across them, without this hobby.

Secondly, I am increasingly intolerant of poor recording quality, but wo'nt accept music just because it is well recorded. So many "audiophile labels" seem to produce such tedious music. Naim for example, except for Antonio Fortuoni.

So in general, I have seen my listening and music collection, expanded with, in general, music I would be much the poorer without.

Yes. I listen to everything I can now and find something to like most of the time. I can't wait to hear what I might hear next. It's all very tasty!