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How to respond to those who say it's not a hobby?

I only recently started to get into audio and, although my system is definitely not in the high-end category, I like to think it's a lot better than the components that were replaced My better-half was quite accepting of the initial purchase of a new integrated amp (NAD C370), tuner (C420), speakers (KEF Q5) and interconnects (VDH D-102 III). She definitely heard an improvement over our previous gear.

However, she is now quite opposed to the upgrading of the CD player and the addition of a second amp (bi-amping). I've mentioned that it will likely make a great improvement to our listening enjoyment and hinted that this is a new hobby for me. Essentially, her response was that "spending hundreds of dollars on audio equipment does not qualify as a hobby", since I don't actually create/build/assemble any of it.

Any thoughts out there about how one might respond or convince the nay-sayer otherwise?
mghcanuck
garfish
1,840 posts
 
Some good advice above. I especially liked Matt8268's recommendations-- and Rosstaman's humor;>)

My wife and I are not rich by any means, but we have separate checking accounts and this has undoubtedly prevented many wicked marital battles. Audio as a "hobby" doesn't have to justified as others have also suggested.

Unfortunately you may be SOL unless you can solve the money issue. I HIGHLY recommend separate checking accounts if the two of you can find a way to do it. Best of Luck. Craig
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
My apologies to anyone or everyone who was offended by my previous post. It has been pointed out to me in private that I acted in "poor taste". I meant it tongue-in-cheek and really meant no harm, nor I did I intend it to seem as crude as it seems to appear.
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
I think the key is not to take people questioning our hobby too seriously. Once you take something seriously, you give that opinion validation.

KF
unsound
6,115 posts
 
FUNK & WAGNALLS ENCYCLOPEDIC COLLEGE DICTIONARY: "Hob-by (hob'e`) n. pl. .bies A subject or pursuit of absorbing interest, undertaken primarily for pleasure during one's leisure time; avocation."
paulwp
585 posts
 
Man, you guys just won't let up. What's to be defensive about? Sure a hobby is anything you spend your time doing that you don't get paid for, but not by Mghcanuck's wife's standards. Her idea of a hobby is something you do with your hands or your mind, not your pocketbook. My advice to him is she's right. Save your money.

My hobby is rearranging my speakers. I spend hour after hour with tape measure and spl meter and test discs. Fascinating how an inch one way or another makes such a difference.

Some guys are on an endless quest for old second hand lps in thrift shops. That's a hobby.

Trying to find the cheapest good sound you can get, that's sort of interesting.

But just going out and buying more and bigger and better rated by the buff mags or, worse, online self-styled reviewers? That's not much of a hobby.
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