Do you believe in Magic?

01-26-12: Sonicbeauty
This whole discussion exemplifies everything I have come to understand about the truth AND destiny of this hobby: The MUSIC taking a backseat to the never-ending analysis of SOUND, and the countless hours wasting on getting that little one last drop of improvement.

Although you go on to say “I am not judging, no right or wrong,” your comments read like a criticism of how people spend their time, both here on A’gon and at home in their listening rooms.

If your post is intended to be merely an “observation,” then your observation is a truism. The fact that audiophiles spend much of their time talking about equipment is patently true but entirely uninformative, since every person who participates in these discussions is aware of it. But of course you know that, being a regular participant yourself. So it’s hard to believe that you would post such a vacuous “observation.” That leads us back to… Your comments are a criticism. Your tone seems to support that interpretation:

And please, don’t serve me the argument that in the long run, this will make us enjoy the artist more. It may, of course, but by the time this happens, another upgrade-tweak-inducing in satisfaction will surface and start this whole quest for ''finding the air around the instruments''(that's what it's all about right?) process again.

That doesn’t sound like a non-judgmental observation to me. Maybe I’m being touchy. Taking that risk…

Criticizing hobbyists for how they conduct themselves is odd. If a person flies kites as a hobby, is he subject to criticism? That seems to defeat one of the most significant joys of having a hobby, namely that it provides a place where you are FREE FROM criticism.

I will also dispute the validity of your assumption that audiophiles who are avidly interested in equipment cannot also be avidly interested in music. That is false. I am interested in music and I am interested in equipment, both audio equipment and technology more generally. I suspect there are a great number of people on this site for whom that is true. Interest in music and interest in technology are not mutually exclusive. They are different activities. They are different experiences. They employ different regions of the brain. The enjoyment of one says nothing about the enjoyment of the other.

It’s also worth pointing out that our fascination with BOTH music and technology is ancient and transcultural. They both have their origins in human prehistory. They both exist in some form in every culture on earth. By the prevailing standards of evolutionary psychology and evolutionary anthropology, music and technology are both elements of WHAT IT MEANS to be human.

I would guess that at some level you already know all this, in light of the fact that you are a self-described music lover, yet you yourself have initiated a large number of threads here on A’gon relating to sound quality and equipment design...

The absolute best and worst-sounding CD you own?

Will a transformer, 220 to 100v, ruin the sound?

Are tone controls worth a second look ?

Preamps/amps that look great and''feel' great?

Single speaker wire on bi-posts with jumpers...?

Your ''best kept secret'' speaker choice ?

Most improved last 10yrs: Speaker, amp, or pre?

Anyone went back to using bare wires on speakers?

Amazing ''Overachieving'' products...your pick?

Record weights 'n clamps: Audible improvements?

Your best ''outstanding'' products in last 5 yrs?

Amplifiers: A Keeper for Life. Do you know of one?

Evidently, you have an interest in equipment. If you also have an interest in music, then you are your own “existence proof” that the two can peacefully coexist.

Bryon

Some people can derive satisfaction from a transistor radio and decry even a rudimentary attempt at better sound for their music listening pleasure. But to separate sound from music and the gear its played on isn't a valid argument, at least to me, as I find it fun and rewarding, treating it as a whole.

It would be akin to saying the food you eat is good enough, nutritionally, so don't pay attention to the taste as long as you have good silverware.

As mystifying as the Stillpoints ERS fabric might or might not be, I submit that there are much more mysterious, you might even say preposterous, audio tweaks and devices out there. To name just a few: C 37 lacquer, the tiny little bowls from Tchang and Synergistic Research, the Red X Coordinate Pen and silver rainbow foil from PWB and the original Intelligent Chip (China).

I submit that there are much more mysterious, you might even say preposterous, audio tweaks and devices out there. To name just a few: C 37 lacquer, the tiny little bowls from Tchang and Synergistic Research, the Red X Coordinate Pen and silver rainbow foil from PWB and the original Intelligent Chip (China).

OK, now that is what I call Olympic caliber chutspah!!! Absolutely word class!!!

Well, I totally expected some would not agree with my somewhat controversial post. I am being sincere though. I am not being cynical of audiophiles, I am one myself. I have been roaming Audiogon for years, and have written-responded on many occasions - also wrote a few reviews (including a 10 year old one on the great Verity Audio Parsifal speaker I used to own - lot's of '' air around the instruments with this one! ;) ''

I like nice gear and technology as much as the next guy believe me, or I wouldn't be here contributing to the debate.

There is NOTHING wrong with toying around for years trying to improve the sound of one's system. I was just pointing out the fact that it is exactly what it is - getting the best sound. Now, a more elegant and noble way of presenting this is by implying that we do this to get to the ''soul'' of the music. Of course this may be true for some, but, not many I think.

I do apologize however if anyone took it personally with my reference to ''wasted'' hours. It is of course a very personal thing to dispose of one's free time as he/she wishes and I regret offending anyone by this. But, taking things in perspective, and on a strictly personal level, I do think that those upgrade-tweaking-posting ads-replying- negotiating-shipping-cashing in the money then buying again-routine represent countless hours that could have probably have been spent on more various and worthwhile endeavors and people GIVEN the ''audiophile'' results I have collected from those hours. This is my experience only. Now, a reader of this post may take it as either ''Hogwash'', ''Recognize himself in this'', or "thanks, there may be a wake-up call in there somewhere!" Of course we are ALL gear-upgrade lovers here, or else we'd all be on the Gramophone website, devoted 95% to music and 5% gear, instead of Stereophile and Absolute Sound (and other rags) with 95% gear ad 5% music.

Just my opinion, nothing more, and of course I don't ming the flames, it's part of the fun of contributing to a audio forum.

One smart response on this thread is the analogy to a transistor radio. I am in COMPLETE agreement with this. Let's say that, for example, one is in total awe and admiration of (put your favorite artist's name here). Everytime you hear this artist, or band or whatever - it is total joy. You love the voice, brings back memories, creates new ones, whatever. Now let's suppose there are artist's that you absolutely don't care for - like (strictly personal) Kenny G, the man with the perpetual ''Panasonic-your meal is ready-microwave tone''. Don't laugh, this is what this music sounds to me. Given the chance, I would take my fav artist or song any day on a GE clock radio anyday over 5 minutes of the microwave man on a 100K system - strictly on a musical enjoyment basis. But for sound fireworks and spectaculario (just made up the name I think), sure, bring the 100K system over and let the sound sparks fly! (even with Kenny G probably).

Have a nice day everyone.