Audiophile?????

[gixxerific]

Audiophile, just what is that? Does it mean that you have to have the BEST sound, or does it mean that you have an extreme love for music.

For years, like 25 or more of them, I have been the most musically devoted person you could be. I sure as hell didn't have the most advanced equipment, though I did have an unquestionable love for music.

Though I'm searching now, finally for a great speaker system so I can finally listen to my music as it should have been. For years and years I have been scraping by.

I just finished listening to Pink Floyd's The Wall on my crap modified pc system. One of my fav album's of all time. It brought tears to my eyes along with feelings of hate on some parts. I went upstairs to check on my boy and he asked "Why were you screaming?" Just relaying the music. That is what music does to me. With or without the most advanced system available.

So does $30,000 dollars worth of equipment make me an audiophile or can I still scrape buy on a few $100 worth of ****?

Hell I have some free Kenwoods hooked up to my PC's 5.1 Logitech system and one of the tweets are blown. Still it rocks the basement good enough to get feelings like said above.

Maybe I'm just a one of a kind but music just moves me. I can't wait to get some GOOD speakers. Just don't ever forget that it's the music that moves you not the equipment!!!!!!

Dono

P.s. Listening to Pink Floyd - The Final Cut now. This is the MOST DYNAMIC album I have ever heard. It goes from whisper quite to raucously loud and back to quiet in just a few seconds several times.

 

[Adam]

I hear ya! An audiophile is someone that loves sound, but the term "audiophile" has taken on an extreme connotation that now seems to reference exotic and esoteric pursuits of that love.

I'm really enjoying some 311 right now (the DVD that Jamie mixed that I just got from Netflix) on my PC speakers.

 

[highfigh]

As Adam said, it's a lover of the sound. In my experience, audiophiles often listen only to the sound and not the music. They are neurotic about whether they have the best or may not be hearing every little detail that they should, but many never think about the fact that even though they say they want to hear it exactly the way it sounded when it was recorded/mixed/mastered, that's impossible. If they aren't using exactly the same equipment, in exactly the same room, with the same number of people in the control room at the same temperature/humidity/baro pressure and every variable has been accounted for, it will never happen. I have listened to customers tell me this for years and I sometimes feel like I kicked their puppy after telling them all of this, but I was just being honest.

That said, when the right combination of sound, mood and music come together, it doesn't always need to sound great to sound great. In that case, it's the music, after all.

 

[gixxerific]

I hear ya! An audiophile is someone that loves sound, but the term "audiophile" has taken on an extreme connotation that now seems to reference exotic and esoteric pursuits of that love.

I'm really enjoying some 311 right now (the DVD that Jamie mixed that I just got from Netflix) on my PC speakers.

311 = Nice

 

[OttoMatic]

I don't think it's fair to simply discount a person because they are interested in different aspects of the hobby than you are. I believe that there are many components to audiophilia, and each can be just as valid as another. Sure, many people enjoy the music just for the sake of the music. But reproduction, technology, and so on are just as important. Many people around here are very astute in knowing and reciting specs of certain equipment, and that's just another aspect of it. In the end, the music itself is only one part of the entire picture. Indeed, one could even argue that the music isn't actually necessary, and that the equipmenet itself could be measured and auditioned for accuracy using test tones generated from a computer, that it would have value simply for the way it measures, and that a person could gain happiness for working with that equipment. I believe that that's a part of the hobby as well, and is valuable in and of itself. Why not?

I found a couple definitions for "audiophile", as listed here:

- A person who is enthusiastic about high-fidelity sound reproduction

- A person with an interest in high fidelity sound reproduction and its associated technology.

From those, and from logic in general, it seems that simply enjoying music, regardless of its quality (and one could consider the performance, the recording and the playback as contributors to "quality"), doesn't make one an "audiophile". Audiophiles are also interested in accuracy and technology as related to music. I enjoy music coming from a pair of PC speakers, or a pair of earbuds -- and it can be moving, but I don't necessarily think that makes one an "audiophile".

And I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with even going so far as to ignore the music itself in pursuit of a perfect system. If that's the path one wants to take the hobby, so be it. What makes that path wrong and the path of the "music lover" right? If they are missing out on enjoying the music, perhaps the other guy is missing out on enjoying the equipment. They are both parts of the puzzle, they both have their merits, they both have their fans.

 

[jamie2112]

I hear ya! An audiophile is someone that loves sound, but the term "audiophile" has taken on an extreme connotation that now seems to reference exotic and esoteric pursuits of that love.

I'm really enjoying some 311 right now (the DVD that Jamie mixed that I just got from Netflix) on my PC speakers.

Adam you gotta throw that on the big system and listen. You can put a face with the screen name at the end there are interviews with the crew and some shots of me behind the soundboard. I hope you enjoy it buddy....thanks

 

[fmw]

From the Greek Audion (sound) and Philos (friend.) It has come to describe people who seek the best sonic reproduction of music. It has little to do with the music these days but more with the search for sonic perfection.

 

[gixxerific]

Forgive me if I upset anyone over my post. It wasn't meant to bash anyone. I was drunk, real drunk and just started shooting out ideas. I was in "one of those moods"

I do love the equipment, ever since I was little I have been interested in HI FI. I always knew one day I would have a killer system. I have seen and heard many great systems. Why has it taken so long. Well I know the GOOD stuff isn't cheap, and I don't mess around when it comes to electronics, or much of anything for that matter. I know what I want, I know it's gonna cost a lot, so I keep on rocking out to the speakers my parents got me for christmas hell 20 -25 years ago. I don't want to buy something that is less than desirable, and that is gonna cost me $$$. I want to do this once, yeah right, once, upgraditus will chime in that is for sure. But I wanted to be able to jump in the deep end first time not wade in the kiddie pool.


All right I'm jealous, fine I said it.

Dono

 

[OttoMatic]

Forgive me if I upset anyone over my post. It wasn't meant to bash anyone. I was drunk, real drunk and just started shooting out ideas. I was in "one of those moods"

Well, I'm sure not upset by your post. In fact, it made me think! I saw your post on its first day but didn't post till last night.

I do agree that you don't have have a good system to enjoy music, but I'm also suggesting that you don't have to have music to enjoy a good system! I don't think I'd ever fully considered the latter until last night. There are just so many ways to enjoy the hobby, and there's nothing really wrong with any of them. Whatever aspect that a person enjoys, that lights them up about this or that, something that makes them happy or interested -- good for them!

There's a guy in my neighborhood that has a Ferrari, but I've never, ever seen it driven. I bet that guy enjoys that car a lot, even if he doesn't drive it. Other Ferrari owners I'm sure believe that you have to drive it to enjoy it.

So, no, I wasn't upset by your post (at all!), and I surely don't mean to offend by mine, either.

Have a good day.

 

[cfrizz]

Audiophile is a term I try to stay as far away from as I can! You have the right idea Dono, do it once, do it right, sit back and enjoy it for years to come.

It doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. My front speakers are 18 years old and I bought them new for around 600. The system I bought with them stayed the same for 15 of those years. I only upgraded because I wanted to get into home theater, and I just had a 2 channel system.

My two most expensive pieces are my Sunfire prepro and amplifier. If I had bought them new, it probably would have cost me over 8000.00. I bought them used for less than a quarter of their price!

If you are patient, buy the gear that you think will make YOU happy for a long time to come, and just ignore the urge to get every new intro of the latest and the greatest, you will be rocking & rolling for years.

Someone on here told me that my prepro was out of date, therefore, it was money blown. It would only be blown if I considered it out of date. To me it's not. It does everything that I want it to do, since I couldn't care less about any of the new features being introduced.

So you have the right idea and are on the right track. Keep us posted as to you upgrading along the way!

 

[Adam]

Adam you gotta throw that on the big system and listen. You can put a face with the screen name at the end there are interviews with the crew and some shots of me behind the soundboard. I hope you enjoy it buddy....thanks

I listened to part of it on the main system last night. Very nice! To be honest, I skipped straight to the end to watch the end credits to see if it showed you on there. Now I know that I need more patience. I got about two-thirds through it, but it seemed to be mostly just the band, so I stopped it. I'll watch it again this morning now that I know that you are on there! With your avatars, I think that I have a good idea which face to look for.

 

[davidtwotrees]

Audiophile is a term that gets trampled on here quite a bit- I think because this is an objectivist site and audiophiles are linked to subjectivism. I want the best sounding gear I can afford. The OP's post wasn't upsetting to me. But it can be a contentious topic around here, as if audiophile is a dirty word. Some audiophiles fit the sterotype of the "idiot sitting around changing power cords and "hearing" dramatic differences in sound using their golden ears".............just as some objectivists fit the stereotype of the "pocket protector engineer playing test tones through his pro amp and diy plywood speakers" I am somewhere in the middle, like most of us, I think.
I don't, however, think you can be an audiophile, or an audioholic, listening to music on computer speakers!! You can be a music lover, sure.........

 

[gixxerific]

Audiophile is a term that gets trampled on here quite a bit- I think because this is an objectivist site and audiophiles are linked to subjectivism. I want the best sounding gear I can afford. The OP's post wasn't upsetting to me. But it can be a contentious topic around here, as if audiophile is a dirty word. Some audiophiles fit the sterotype of the "idiot sitting around changing power cords and "hearing" dramatic differences in sound using their golden ears".............just as some objectivists fit the stereotype of the "pocket protector engineer playing test tones through his pro amp and diy plywood speakers" I am somewhere in the middle, like most of us, I think.
I don't, however, think you can be an audiophile, or an audioholic, listening to music on computer speakers!! You can be a music lover, sure.........

I'm a middle man myself. I build all my sub boxes for car audio. I even built a center channel for my Denon out of left over car components. An MTM arrangement, though due to the low ohm those speakers have it was way too loud. Thinking about it now I should try it again with different wiring so as to bring the ohm's up a bit more to match the other speakers. Of course that was just for messing around and nothing better to do. What else you gonna do with all that left of 1" mdf. That **** ain't cheap might as well build something out of it. I use test tones too but mainly to set amps to the proper output and occasionally to see what 10 Hz FEELS like.

Aw **** I'm a freak I believe that the better wire will do better as well. If I only had an unlimited budget my system would be so frickin' crazy down to the most minute detail. Yes I'm very anal.

Carry on, Dono

 

[davidtwotrees]

You didn't mention all that in your origianl post, dono! That last post deffo puts you in the audioholic camp!!

 

[highfigh]

cfrizz- my comments about people who listen to the equipment and think they want it to sound a certain way coincide with that comment about your pre-pro being out of date. Whether it is, or not, is none of that poster's business. If you like it, that's what matters. Every piece of equipment will be "last year's model" at some point and it really doesn't matter because this isn't fashion wardrobe.

However, some equipment just doesn't sound good, to a lot of people and that stuff will still be enjoyed by some people. That doesn't matter, either. If they like it, they'll continue on that path until they hear something that gets their attention. Besides- some people equate loud with good and sometimes, there's no telling them that there's a difference. A late teens kids came in one time and said "Show me your best speakers" and when I asked "Best, or loudest", he answered with "What's the difference?". Granted, I asked my question, based on his appearance and attitude when I saw him come in but after being in the business for a while, hunches are often correct. What I did not do is blow him off because of that. I explained and demonstrated the difference and it was a bit like some of the scenes in 'Ruthless People'. He didn't buy "loud", he bought "good".

 

[highfigh]

I'm a middle man myself. I build all my sub boxes for car audio. I even built a center channel for my Denon out of left over car components. An MTM arrangement, though due to the low ohm those speakers have it was way too loud. Thinking about it now I should try it again with different wiring so as to bring the ohm's up a bit more to match the other speakers. Of course that was just for messing around and nothing better to do. What else you gonna do with all that left of 1" mdf. That **** ain't cheap might as well build something out of it. I use test tones too but mainly to set amps to the proper output and occasionally to see what 10 Hz FEELS like.

Aw **** I'm a freak I believe that the better wire will do better as well. If I only had an unlimited budget my system would be so frickin' crazy down to the most minute detail. Yes I'm very anal.

Carry on, Dono

If you have a center channel output and MTM center channel speaker, you really only have two ways to wire them- series and parallel. Parallel will probably make your amp unhappy and series will be OK. You can also make an L-pad for them to drop the level and if you use good resistors, the sound won't suffer. Why can't you decrease the center channel level enough to match the mains?

 

[Adam]

Well, I checked out the end of the 311 DVD and got to see our main man Jamie working his magic (assuming that was Jamie in the long-sleeve dark shirt/jacket).

Very cool to see one of our own at work in the industy! A little different from my work experience. Imagine someone driving for a couple of hours, drinking coffee, bs'ing with his office mate, and typing in front of a computer, and you've got my daily routine about 90% nailed.

 

[cfrizz]

WTG Highfigh! Sometimes that's all it takes is instead of judging someone, just take the time & patience to show, let them hear the difference & you will forever change someones opinion on what a good system should sound like!

Your first paragraph is also right on the money! Everything eventually everything turns into yesterdays news. As intelligent people it is up to the individual to set a limit on what they can & can't afford. I bought the best I can afford and intend to keep it.

This gear is built to last, and I will keep it until it dies, or until a new format comes out that I just HAVE to have. But I don't see that happening anytime soon.

cfrizz- my comments about people who listen to the equipment and think they want it to sound a certain way coincide with that comment about your pre-pro being out of date. Whether it is, or not, is none of that poster's business. If you like it, that's what matters. Every piece of equipment will be "last year's model" at some point and it really doesn't matter because this isn't fashion wardrobe.

However, some equipment just doesn't sound good, to a lot of people and that stuff will still be enjoyed by some people. That doesn't matter, either. If they like it, they'll continue on that path until they hear something that gets their attention. Besides- some people equate loud with good and sometimes, there's no telling them that there's a difference. A late teens kids came in one time and said "Show me your best speakers" and when I asked "Best, or loudest", he answered with "What's the difference?". Granted, I asked my question, based on his appearance and attitude when I saw him come in but after being in the business for a while, hunches are often correct. What I did not do is blow him off because of that. I explained and demonstrated the difference and it was a bit like some of the scenes in 'Ruthless People'. He didn't buy "loud", he bought "good".

 

[highfigh]

Audiophile is a term that gets trampled on here quite a bit- I think because this is an objectivist site and audiophiles are linked to subjectivism. I want the best sounding gear I can afford. The OP's post wasn't upsetting to me. But it can be a contentious topic around here, as if audiophile is a dirty word.

I think a lot of people would be very surprised by how good a system can sound by setting it up objectively.

Generally, audiophiles are pretty unoffensive but working in a mid-Fi shop and having them come in, listen to the new stuff and drone on and on about how their system is so much more musical and transparent, how I should put Cramolin on power cord blades to make it sound better and that kind of activity gives them a bad name. They're not all like that but I'm glad I don't have to be there when one comes in, puts their favorite classical CD in to air-conduct. Yeah, it happens.

"I don't, however, think you can be an audiophile, or an audioholic, listening to music on computer speakers!! You can be a music lover, sure........."

Ever seen or heard these?:
http://www.dynaudio.com/eng/multimedia/office.php

 

[highfigh]

As intelligent people it is up to the individual to set a limit on what they can & can't afford. I bought the best I can afford and intend to keep it.

Geez- where were you when Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac started buying mortgages on all of those homes sold to people who couldn't afford them?

It's human nature. People want what they can't have and if they're made to feel that what they have is inferior, they'll want better. Human nature is what gets everyone on trouble.