[3602]

While a lot of people have been playing with high-end headphones, amps, front-ends and whatnot, a lot of them have forgotten about one thing.
Music.
Too many people take joy in gear, not in music. The whole point is to enjoy music.
Audiophiling is climbing a spiral staircase. When you're down there, if you're happy with what you got, don't look up. When you do, you start climbing.
Getting to know about the strengths and weaknesses of your gear takes many years. When you're down there, you look from that height, that angle; however as you climb, you will start to look from a different angle, a different height.
There is no top. Sky's not the limit. You stop when you're satisfied enough with what you see. Gear evolves with time, as does your standards, so finding the right gear never ends.
Some people don't get this. Most are blissfully ignorant, enjoying their iBudz and 128k tunes with Bass Boost. Lucky them. The people who don't really get this, they usually try to "get it right" the first time - buying the most expensive stuff that they can afford - resulting in sheer nothingness.
Some, some who has money to burn, never stops. They'll climb alright, but they won't stop and look. These people will tend to overspend while they can be just as happy, if not happier, at a lower price.
All these people have one thing in common. They forgot how to enjoy music.
So stop "analyzing" your gear. Stop worrying about that 0.1dB peak at 989Hz. Start enjoying.
That is all I have to say, for now.
Discussions welcome.

 

[Kirosia]

These (heard-many-a-time before) "revelation" threads seem to pop up quite regularly...

I don't think people ever actually forget, since the whole purpose of getting better gear is to increase their joy for music. They just sometimes get caught up in the thrill.

 

[scott_d_m]

I haven't forgot about the music...it's what brought me here in the first place.

In fact, since joining HF, my musical tastes have expanded to many different genres that I never gave a second thought before.

 

[TheAudioDude]

I do still enjoy the music, but I've always been into electronics so it's also fun researching and getting new equipment. If there's a way to modify my equipment to make the music sound better, that's great!

 

[Happy Camper]

Indeed, I have bought things I don't pull out in company (musically) because the quality of the recording is so good. I've also got things that sound like total trash but the musical content is worth the early recording problems and noise.

I have bought for long term use. I'm not one to roll gear but to buy once and buy quality (or so I thought). As has been told here so often, you do need to spend some money to get the view above the masses but spending foolishly because the price is in your spending budget does not get you up that staircase. Going to meets and experiencing gear/hobbyists is the best way to judge how high you want to go up that staircase.

It has all been driven by the love of music. Well, and maybe a little geekiness for gear. Thanks for reminding me though.

 

[joomongj]

Actually I've been enjoying music a lot more w/ the cans I have now than the dirt cheap phones I used to use way way back. It's hard to bypass the day w/o losing myself in searing violin concertos, operas that make me tremble in awe at least a few hours a day. Besides trying out different cans is perhaps the most palpitating, yet quite costly habit I've dabbled myself with since joining the head-fi.

 

[THAY BRAN]

Absolutely agree with above.Most Audiophiles begin as Music lovers.
I am extremely happy with my set-up but if and when funds allow i will look to tweak and upgrade.There is always room for improvement. Be totally honest , if money was no object you would buy what is the best system IYO goin, to enjoy all that wonderful ,thousands and thousands of dollars invested, music that you know and love so much.

 

[120717]

Yep.
Only recently I had to make the tough decision not to buy the HD800.
I just plugged my HD650s into the Teclast T51 that arrived in the post today (thanks Anadin), and it wasn't bad at all, it kinda put things in perspective. Now I can get some portable headphones and not worry "but they won't sound as good as my balanced HD650s..

".

This thread was timed pretty conveniently for me.

 

[Armaegis]

I spend more money going to live concerts than I do on gear.

 

[LingLing1337]

^You pass.

 

[ecclesand]

Music. Is that what all this gear is for?

 

[Deep Funk]

Why do yo think some prefer FLAC or other lossy audio files?

Besides, some on Head-Fi, like me have a budget. I assume most people do. I could buy expensive headphones, amplifiers and more gear but I also have to eat, have fun once in a while without headphones and save up for things like study books or simply reserves for later, really.

Luckily I'm picky and my mom taught me well about money. My so called 'cheap' (according to some) Sennheiser HD428 does produce some fine sounds. My old V6-es aren't hugging my ears like they used to.

 

[krmathis]

I certainly have not forgot the music, as I spend hours daily listening to some...
Of course gear is important as well, or else I would probably never been here in the first place.

 

[VicAjax]

that's why the MUSIC FORUM is the most important and undervisited page on Head-Fi.

 

[Prog Rock Man]

No one is going to take my hobby away from me. I enjoy it too much.