HiFi and mental well-being

[TimF]

Sometimes people get a little too caught up in equipment. Just a little bit too enthusiastic to 'big' sound. You know? Try to get all this in your listening room.

 

[Leporello]

Once I had an opportunity to listen to these for about 10 minutes:

HE 1 | Sennheiser United States

The first electrostatic headphones with integrated high-voltage amplifiers. Discover ultimate sound experience now!

www.sennheiser-hearing.com

Did they sound good? Yes, they did. Very clean, smooth, neutral. Quite possibly the best headphones I have heard.

But did I enjoy music more or did I have a greater insight into music with these über-phones than with my current favorites (also Sennheiser)? Much more difficult to say. With price tag of 62 000 euros it should not be that difficult.

 

[tomtoo]

Sometimes people get a little too caught up in equipment. Just a little bit too enthusiastic to 'big' sound. You know? Try to get all this in your listening room.

Awsome, looks more like NASA builds a starting ramp for a new moon rocket.

 

[MattHooper]

For most, it's a hobby. There will be a range of experiences as to how people approach it, or of course even any individual will change their relationship to the hobby during different periods.

But generally speaking, we are hobbyists. If we weren't, we'd all have just bought a system (like most non-audiophiles) and left it at that years ago.
But we don't do that. We remain fascinated with the technology. This can mean getting a kick out of trying all sorts of different gear over time - it's a journey not a destination thing - or it can mean continually parsing over new gear, data about the new gear, fascination with the technology, hence hanging out on forums like this.

In other words, just buying a sound system and forgetting about the technology isn't for the most part what hobbyists do. Maintaining an interest in all sorts of audio gear is a feature, not a bug of the audio hobbyist.

 

[CapMan]

For most, it's a hobby. There will be a range of experiences as to how people approach it, or of course even any individual will change their relationship to the hobby during different periods.

But generally speaking, we are hobbyists. If we weren't, we'd all have just bought a system (like most non-audiophiles) and left it at that years ago.
But we don't do that. We remain fascinated with the technology. This can mean getting a kick out of trying all sorts of different gear over time - it's a journey not a destiny thing - or it can mean continually parsing over new gear, data about the new gear, fascination with the technology, hence hanging out on forums like this.

In other words, just buying a sound system and forgetting about the technology isn't for the most part what hobbyists do. Maintaining an interest in all sorts of audio gear is a feature, not a bug of the audio hobbyist.

My own experience until recently was that it’s possible to miss the wood for the trees. I would enjoy an album on a Sonus Play 1 , but on the big rig listening to the same lp would become an academic exercise, driven by high expectations based of the investments made. It was all about what was wrong and that set in motion thoughts about how to fix it. As
I said earlier, often as a massive distraction for other things on my life.

I’ve really enjoyed reading peoples’ comments on this thread and applaud those who have found some peace with their gear.

I think I am nearer to that place now because after many years of spending, I realise it’s the room that is the constraint. I could’ve saved a fortune if I’d clocked this some years ago!!!!

I remember a dealer coming to the house to setup a new turntable and commenting enthusiastically on how great the bass was - I now know that it was a bloody great room mode

Judging by the poll I’m happy to see that most folks get more pleasure that pain from this hobby!

Thanks for sharing everyone

 

[jsrtheta]

What does your system consist of now?

Transport: Tascam CD-200
DAC: SMSL M6
Preamp: Little Dot Mk. ii
Spare preamp: Rotel RC-980BX
Power amp: Niles SI-245
Subwoofer: Dali SW-8
Main speakers: Monitor Audio Bronze 2
Cables: Yes, there are cables

 

[MattHooper]

My own experience until recently was that it’s possible to miss the wood for the trees. I would enjoy an album on a Sonus Play 1 , but on the big rig listening to the same lp would become an academic exercise, driven by high expectations based of the investments made. It was all about what was wrong and that set in motion thoughts about how to fix it. As
I said earlier, often as a massive distraction for other things on my life.

I’ve really enjoyed reading peoples’ comments on this thread and applaud those who have found some peace with their gear.

I think I am nearer to that place now because after many years of spending, I realise it’s the room that is the constraint. I could’ve saved a fortune if I’d clocked this some years ago!!!!

I remember a dealer coming to the house to setup a new turntable and commenting enthusiastically on how great the bass was - I now know that it was a bloody great room mode

Judging by the poll I’m happy to see that most folks get more pleasure that pain from this hobby!

Thanks for sharing everyone

Oh I've been there at times! I'm sure many have. Just like someone in the biking hobby or whatever can find themselves wrapped up in or obsessing about aspects of their hobby. It can take stepping back from the activity I guess to take a breather when this occurs.

For me my AV gear "obsession" tends to switch allegiances between 2 channel audio and my home theater. It's funny how when I'm really in to one, the little things I cared a lot about the other seem less urgent or consequential. Like when I'm super in to home theater I'm fussy about contrast, clarity, color and various aspects. But since I'm currently in 2-channel music mode, when I fire up the home theater I mostly don't think about that stuff and just enjoy. And when I get some new home theater toy, that will probably switch and I'll fire up the music system not thinking much about the gear.

 

[deniall83]

Transport: Tascam CD-200
DAC: SMSL M6
Preamp: Little Dot Mk. ii
Spare preamp: Rotel RC-980BX
Power amp: Niles SI-245
Subwoofer: Dali SW-8
Main speakers: Monitor Audio Bronze 2
Cables: Yes, there are cables

Thanks for sharing. I've had my eye on the Tascam CD player and Rotel seem to make nice gear for a good price.

 

[jsrtheta]

Oh I've been there at times! I'm sure many have. Just like someone in the biking hobby or whatever can find themselves wrapped up in or obsessing about aspects of their hobby. It can take stepping back from the activity I guess to take a breather when this occurs.

For me my AV gear "obsession" tends to switch allegiances between 2 channel audio and my home theater. It's funny how when I'm really in to one, the little things I cared a lot about the other seem less urgent or consequential. Like when I'm super in to home theater I'm fussy about contrast, clarity, color and various aspects. But since I'm currently in 2-channel music mode, when I fire up the home theater I mostly don't think about that stuff and just enjoy. And when I get some new home theater toy, that will probably switch and I'll fire up the music system not thinking much about the gear.

There's just so much obsession a man can take at one time!