Music vs. Components

I wholeheartedly agree that the music comes first and is the reason for the whole ordeal. Much, or even most of the time, I am listening to THE music. I love the idea of "losing all consciousness" of the gear and just have the music wash over me in waves. Fortunately, this kind of experience is pretty frequent. It certainly is the goal.

That being said, I think we all know the experience of our minds being distracted from the music, as it wanders to the gear, the room, the recording, the cables, etc. A perceived "little" change, a comment from a guest, something seemingly sounding different or not as good as the last time I think I heard it, etc. can initiate another ride on the roller coaster between tunes and gear. Little whispering voices chatter in the head.... "What if I ...." "If only.... " "I wonder...."

I've also noticed that the "better" my gear has gotten, the more I expect from it. Sometimes my expectations might not be realistic. Maybe I should have just hired the band for a night to perform in my living room... then again, maybe my hi-fi sounds better than the band live!?

Unfortunately, sometimes I found my gear trying to "tell me" what to listen to and what to avoid. This can happen with a piece of music that I really like, but I can't stand the recording. So I don't play it as much anymore as when I had a "less revealing" system. On the other hand, sometimes I found myself listening to music that I wouldn't have ordinarily chosen under the pretenses that it made my stereo sound magnificent! (as in too much Diana Krall) Who picked THAT stuff... my preamp?

Can anybody relate to the above?

some wag at stereophile recently wrote a piece about how different people prioritize intrinsic quality of the music, recording quality and quality of the equipment, utilizing a scale aggregating 100 (thus, for example, you might weigh the music as 40, the equipment a50 and the recording quality a 10). now, when i was a kid listening to great, though often crudely-recorded lps on a portable plastic record player from sears, i was probably music--95/recording quality--5/equipment quality--0. as i got older, and more fetishistic about gear, of course my priorities have shifted--now i'm probably music--70/equipment quality--20/recording quality--10. however much we enjoy accumulating expensive equipment, sacds and hi-rez music sources, i'd venture that most people would still choose good tunes over good sound.

none of the above. i am more concerned with the affect of the sound upon my health, a subject which is often ignored.

also,has anyone asked the question:

"why do you listen to music?" or "what is the purpose of a stereo system?"

thus for me neither the music per se or the components are not, i.e., what happens after you have listened to music ?

what is your mental state or physiological state ?

I can relate to Bside123 but would like to add something. When I had a lesser system I could only listen for 3-4 hrs at a time before fatigue would set in. I also kept saying to myself 'What If' I bought the more expensive component would I want to replace that today?? I can listen all day now and still ask the same ol question 'What If'. Then I look at the cost. That stops me from thinking about it.

Now if someone would share the winning lottery numbers with me I can stop the 'What If' and change to the Nike slogan Just Do It.

Mrtennis I listen to music because I enjoy it like some people may like a good movie or a scenic drive.

Mr. Tennis, Great point!! I fully agree. Many days I use listening to my system as a balm to a particularly difficult day.