Thread: Returning to the Roots of Musical Enjoyment

So, you are saying the worse the music sounds the better you enjoy it? You have always been some type of anti-audiophile I do feel your approach is rare but what works for you.

I've been drawn to music as long as I can remember, like a moth to light. I got my first record player in grade school. I have always strived for something better to play my music on. I have no problem enjoying music on a good system. In turn just yesterday I was visiting a friend in the hospital they were playing music for her on the computer, I still enjoyed songs I liked. The sound would have to be really bad for me not to enjoy it. A good system draws me into the music more though. However, no matter how good the system is it isn't going to make me enjoy a song I don't like.

Last year I bought a JBL Party Box 310 to use outside. I am impressed with this thing and it's fun to Bluetooth to. Though it's not so good sound I have to have some music in the car.

Music is important but no reason why you can't enjoy it on the best system you can. Some people care less what the music sounds like. Maybe it took you experimenting with better gear to realize that is you.

I have spent way too much on new and used audio equipment over the last 30 years and have had moments of listening joy and disappointment while wondering what the next “upgrade” might bring. I have become discouraged and will soon be looking to simplify my audio setup and am preparing myself to take a bath on what my current equipment will bring on the used market. I’m not complaining, just relaying that I have been on a fool’s errand trying to achieve audio nirvana on my budget for way too long. Keep on listening!

Nicoff, did you recently downsize your house?

Originally Posted by nicoff

Yes, I recently moved to a smaller place. I have been eliminating and/or switching to equipment of smaller size.

That explains a few things.

Just curious how you like the office system?

Originally Posted by Projectman

I have spent way too much on new and used audio equipment over the last 30 years and have had moments of listening joy and disappointment while wondering what the next “upgrade” might bring. I have become discouraged and will soon be looking to simplify my audio setup and am preparing myself to take a bath on what my current equipment will bring on the used market. I’m not complaining, just relaying that I have been on a fool’s errand trying to achieve audio nirvana on my budget for way too long. Keep on listening!

As I am still in active surgical practice, I don’t get to listen to music from system, except for the weekend. I do still want to stay married! Looking forward to retiring at the end of 2023. Currently working to optimize my system this year, in anticipation of another downsize event, when we move to Seattle, to be with our daughter and new grandchild.

Several possible variations of my system, depending on the space I get.

One of my retirement projects is to actually do some research into the music I like, and look into more music. Listen to music, both that I already like and explore new music. Being the OCD surgeon, I will classify, and categorize!

Please enjoy the music first and, of course, enjoy the way your system presents it to you.

Originally Posted by nicoff

It does explain my need to make changes, but… the acoustics of the new room is actually much better than my old dedicated music room. After the move, I have been making changes one device at a time. I got rid of a big Powerplant, a Windows PC, replaced my big preamp with one that is less than 1/4 the size and weight, got rid of one subwoofer, and now use an RPi as my streamer. Next in line is exploring the replacement of my 80 pound amps. The speakers will remain. But I am willing to explore changing everything else. So far, there has been NO detriment to the sound. My experience so far confirms that the speakers and the room are the biggest determinants of the sound.

Now we have at least two people on AS that love the sound of 320 kbps. I'm glad that you are OK with downsizing your stereo system and you are happy with the outcome.

Originally Posted by Bones13

As I am still in active surgical practice, I don’t get to listen to music from system, except for the weekend. I do still want to stay married! Looking forward to retiring at the end of 2023. Currently working to optimize my system this year, in anticipation of another downsize event, when we move to Seattle, to be with our daughter and new grandchild.

Several possible variations of my system, depending on the space I get.

One of my retirement projects is to actually do some research into the music I like, and look into more music. Listen to music, both that I already like and explore new music. Being the OCD surgeon, I will classify, and categorize!

Please enjoy the music first and, of course, enjoy the way your system presents it to you.

I assume you meant that you will retire at the end of 2024. A move from Mobile, AL to Seattle, WA is quite the move. I hope it all works out for the best.

Originally Posted by nicoff

After using Roon and HQP for years and upsampling all the music to 512 DSD, I have no qualms admitting that I enjoy the simplicity of Spotify even though it has lower resolution. But as I noted in my OP, to me the most important thing is the music, not the resolution. I do realize that some folks are fixated on resolution (I admit that I was at one time) even if they cannot tell a difference when subjected to double-blind testing.

I for one am not fixated on resolution per se, I'm fixated on SQ. The majority of my digital listening is 16/44.1 files because I find they sound better than far too many "hi-rez" files. Having said that, I don't listen to MP3 or MQA files on my stereo rig.

The Bricasti M12, that I used to have had 2 different DAC boards, one for Sigma Delta, one the other for DSD only. I personally liked the sound from the DSD board. I was using Roon to resampled everything to DSD.

The MSB sounds great with anything I send it, so I don’t resemble any more.

Listen for yourself, in your system, and choose what you like the best.

Originally Posted by nicoff

After using Roon and HQP for years and upsampling all the music to 512 DSD, I have no qualms admitting that I enjoy the simplicity of Spotify even though it has lower resolution. But as I noted in my OP, to me the most important thing is the music, not the resolution. I do realize that some folks are fixated on resolution (I admit that I was at one time) even if they cannot tell a difference when subjected to double-blind testing.

At the moment I'm just streaming Qobuz via my Lumin in my downsized system. Plus a lot of headphone listening.

Originally Posted by nicoff

It does explain my need to make changes, but… the acoustics of the new room is actually much better than my old dedicated music room. After the move, I have been making changes one device at a time. I got rid of a big Powerplant, a Windows PC, replaced my big preamp with one that is less than 1/4 the size and weight, got rid of one subwoofer, and now use an RPi as my streamer. Next in line is exploring the replacement of my 80 pound amps. The speakers will remain. But I am willing to explore changing everything else. So far, there has been NO detriment to the sound. My experience so far confirms that the speakers and the room are the biggest determinants of the sound.

these days, I'm not even allowed to pickup over 40 lbs.

Originally Posted by CPP

these days, I'm not even allowed to pickup over 40 lbs.

That's a bummer Chris. Having younger neighbors can be a blessing.

I am a pragmatist when it comes to high end audio. I’ll buy stuff that I think makes a difference. Most accessories I’ve auditioned lately just don’t.

A few folks here have found that simpler is better.

I’m having a blast with my restored audio OHM F’s. No complexity, no crossovers, just a single Omni driver.

IMG_3433.jpeg

Originally Posted by nicoff

[...] My experience so far confirms that the speakers and the room are the biggest determinants of the sound.

All the best for your journey returning to the roots of musical enjoyment.

The think your above observation is possibly the most important epithany an audiophile can have.

For many journeymen the only upgrades imagined are related to hardware – bigger, better, more expensive etc.

The expensive tragedy is the failure to appreciate that much of the sonic benefit derived from more expensive hardware is to a large extent being masked by poor room acoustics.

Duplicate

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Just curious how you like the office system?

The office system is now in my living room. I us it to casually listen to music via Roon and sound from my TV. Sounds very good for its purpose.

I think that is wonderful. Enjoying listening to music is the end goal.