Do you share your system with other audiophiles?

[steve59]

I enjoy bringing friends and family into my listening room to listen, but when it comes to fellow audiophiles I can’t think of a possible reason I would want to bring one in to hear my system. There’s clearly something sideways about this hobby, just look at any recommendation thread when one asks for an amp to go with x speakers what they’ll get instead is 200 different speaker recommendations!
Is there any good that can come from bringing an audiophile over if you’re currently happy with your system?

 

[jeff1225]

I've had mixed success with bringing audiophiles into my room, but it's been mostly positive. The few times its been negative is when there is a big difference between the systems and goals of the audiophile as it compares to mine.

 

[spiritofmusic]

I have a great relationship w good friend Blue58, and we (in that dim distant pre-Covid world) swap visits, admittedly me more to him.

Tbh, it was a little stressful when he originally visited me and highlighted shortcomings...esp when I couldn't get my own back and take a dig at his sound (because his SGM2015/AG Duos system is so exemplary).

I'm only human, and badly cursed w pride, a thin skin, and pre adolescent levels of rage. So, I took initial criticism a bit badly. Whether it was a real jolt to my pride or a confirmation of issues I already knew I had...probably a bit of both.

But tbh once I realised this was constructive criticism...like, ditch the lps Marc, go digital Lol...I took his words in the spirit they were offered.

And what's interesting is that in getting a better handle on my sound, partially as a result of his critique, I've lost a lot of the inferiority complex I had in comparison to his sound, and actually have conveyed more comments that I know he's (partially) taken on board...like, ditch the streaming Barry, go analog Lol.

So, a big part of my way more different sound over 5 years has been his input, and in retrospect despite the early learning curve in dealing w criticism, I'd not have had it any other way.

Our friendship, AND my sound, has benefitted from his honesty.

 

[DSkip]

I've made a business of it. I also go to other systems and am careful when I speak of negatives in their system. Its all in the delivery.

Sometimes its simple - I went to a client's house who had purchased many products from me and I was greatly disappointed with a soundstage locked by speakers and no coherence in the center image. After moving the speakers about 3" and adjusting toe-in, the soundstage blossomed to beyond walls and the center image was absolutely locked in. All of three minutes work for massive gains.

Another time a different client of mine (again, many of my products) had me visit and it was the worst sound I'd ever heard in his almost always superb system. Against my advice, he had purchased some isolation devices for the speakers and because he heard improvements, he put them under his components. After different cables, positioning, pulling treatments, adjusting seating, doing everything I could to figure out why the music had no life.... I saw the isolators. After removing them from under his components, life, energy, decay, and transients immediately began to return to his system. He listed them for sale the next day.

A second ear always helps. I have friends come over just to listen because sometimes we get our head 'stuck' on an upgrade or a current sound when in reality it is a step back - sometimes a major step back. Sometimes I need them to set me straight.


Everyone thinks their kid is the cutest in the world....

 

[steve59]

I appreciate everything shared above and can relate. I’m currently in a state of ignorant bliss and it took a long time and a lot of money to get here. I really don’t want to know whats wrong with my stereo right now.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Steve, kinda like "unknown unknowns" Lol

 

[Holli82]

I share mine with audiophiles and non-audiophiles. I am happy with my current sound so any advice or recommendations by visitors is welcomed but I'm not likely to make any major changes.

 

[bonzo75]

Depends, if you go to the gym and squat in bad form, do you take feedback constructively or tell the guy to get lost so you can continue bad squatting and bad dead lifting?

Also, do you generally like to share, food, sports, experiences?

 

[Hoffman]

What a great question. Good enough to get me to finally make a post on this site instead of just lurking around.

My first thought is that if you have somehow reached peace with your system by overcoming the OCD traits that got you into audiophilia in the first place, there really is no upside to bringing another audiophile into the picture unless they promise to keep their opinions to themselves. Even then you risk backhanded compliments and being damned by faint praise. While it's possible for negative comments to feel like personal attacks, especially when you have spent a ton of time and money on your system, I think the bigger issue is that it has the potential to create doubt about your system when there was none. Then, instead of listening to your music, you start listening to your system's sound and thinking about upgrades and what to fix, and on and on. Granted, the chase of great sound can be fun, but in my opinion, looking for new music is much more satisfying than looking for new equipment. (He says, while noting the irony of posting this on an audiophile forum).

On the other hand, it's fun to get other audiophiles who really get what you're doing into your room to have a listen. And it's very useful to have an audiophile over if you are chasing a problem that you are already aware of. If you can have a constructive and interesting conversation about the gear and still enjoy the music, then go for it. My preferred solution is to have audiophiles over who can give me constructive advice when I ask for it but who really just want to check out the system and spin some records. I like talking gear and you cannot really do that in any meaningful way with those who aren't into the audiophile scene. Lucky them, they just want to hear some music on your kick ass stereo.

 

[bonzo75]

The query is no different from how much do you like to share in the hobby. There are posters, and there are lurkers. Some don't share. It is in the nature. Very few in this hobby will stop upgrading, so might as well do it through discussion and involvement.

 

[Folsom]

None live where I do. So basically no one ever comes by.

 

[Al M.]

Do you share your system with other audiophiles?

Yes.

I am always proud and enthusiastic to let fellow audiophiles hear my system. There have only been a few exceptions over the years when my system was in "limbo" waiting for the next already planned upgrade. Now I'm done anyway, so I always welcome visitors.

Our group of "Boston audiophiles" have visited each other frequently (pre-Covid that is, and hopefully again sometime). We are learning a lot from one another, and speaking for myself, I would never have been able to assemble without these friends and their precious advice and criticism a system of the tremendous quality that I now enjoy. Thank you guys!

Sure, sometimes criticism and being made aware of shortcomings hurts. And sometimes hearing better aspects of sound in another system can be not just exciting, but also challenging. But I think if you are very aware of your own personal priorities of music reproduction and not get distracted away from them, and you have the attitude that

a) you tend to look more at the virtues than at the shortcomings of your system
b) you are at peace with yourself that perfection is simply never achieved and that any system is inherently a compromise

you can only learn from all the encounters. Sometimes you can learn a tremendous amount that is very beneficial for your upgrade path, or for addressing problems with room or set-up.

You also have to leave room for the fact that tastes differ. I have had instances not only where my fellow audiophiles did not like particular aspects of my sound that I loved, but also the opposite, where they were very enthusiastic about certain things when I was in a "meh" mood about them. Similar with me, when I visited others' systems.

In that vein, if you think that you can ever assemble a system that not just satisfies you, but also everyone who visits, better shed the delusion. It's not going to happen, because it's human nature that individual tastes are always bound to differ, and you just have to take it in stride. It wouldn't even happen if you would throw all the money in the world at a system. So what? The important thing is that your system satisfies you.

I am now at a place where I know that my system does many things tremendously well but, also fueled by my exposure to other systems, I have a keen sense of my system's shortcomings as well, which are in my view much fewer than its considerable virtues. While I am aware of the shortcomings when I think about them, they don't bother me. I am extraordinarily satisfied with what I have achieved, with the amount of money that I spent. I know that I would have to spend an enormous amount of money to address the few shortcomings, and trying to address the issues would open up other problems, that's just the way it is. Also, I would need a considerably larger room than I have, in order to seriously tackle a few issues, and I can't afford such a room because I just can't afford the house that would have to go with it (real estate in the Greater Boston area is very expensive).

Yet I have given up on silly dreams, and instead I thoroughly enjoy what I have. I'm just a happy audiophile, what can I say? And I am more than happy to share my enthusiasm with others.

 

[the sound of Tao]

I’ve had quite a few audiophile type visitors over the years, many were multi visits, some just one offs and a few have formed close friendships. The closest of these is with one of my best mates... we share many interests music, gear, making good coffee, wine, recently even biking, we both have horns (that’d be the speakers type) and his wife is also a very good friend and as a couple they are among my most favouritist people and over the last decade we’d catch up probably every few weeks.

My nephew and his mum (my ex sister-in-law) and her new partner are also very close and they have completely the music thing plus they now have Harbeths and vinyl so yes, they qualify (if slightly less) also on the audiophile and much more on the music lover end of the spectrum. Dinner with them is great fun, lovely good food and wine and loving the music.

For me the secret to enjoying the hobby is not just being at all about the system critique but just enjoying each other’s company, much the same as for people without the audio thing.

Traditionally two mates over the years have become close and are also people that I listen and look to for an occasional perspective on my setup. But that is only a small part of where their value and friendship comes in. We are just like souls and share similar musical values.

Had some dodgy experiences as well with guys who think that it’s all about the criticism like that is the great sum purpose of a visit.

It’s not really enough to make a good visit just about ‘the system’ and that kind of visit is always a bit hollow... sometimes then it’s just about the size of the opinions (an audiophile with an opinion, now there’s a rarity lol) and that isn’t exactly as much fun as it sounds lol again. Sometimes people will want your opinion and that is also OK as I always only frame thoughts as opinions. Can be an awkward moment too and being uncomfortable certainly isn’t a good outcome of visiting someone.

For me it’s mainly about the people, who they are, sharing a laugh and enjoying the music. I do love it when people love their music and their gear and it’s great when you also love their music and their gear... though I’m probably less concerned about the system here these days as it’s really doing it’s job now and connecting us fairly much straight through to enjoying music. That was where it started for me and it’s good to have got to back to that.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Depends, if you go to the gym and squat in bad form, do you take feedback constructively or tell the guy to get lost so you can continue bad squatting and bad dead lifting?

Also, do you generally like to share, food, sports, experiences?

It’s bad when you go to someone’s place and their system just makes you want to squat

 

[treitz3]

Sure, steve59. I have folks, dealers and audiophiles alike listen to my rig all of the time (Pre-COVID) and have for many decades now. I have even gone so far as to lug the entire rig up to an audio event 5 times now with plenty of other fellow audiophiles.

My audio journey didn't "really" take off until I hopped online and started asking questions of what others would do to improve it. It exploded when I had people actually come to the house and listen. No matter what I liked about my system(s) at any time, I specifically asked people to tell me what the bad or deficiencies were. Believe it or not, that is harder to extract from people than you may think. Most people don't want to hurt other people's feelings.

I have had local audio dealers, custom audio builders and even Bob Carver himself listen to my rigs over the years and I am thankful for all of their input. I wouldn't have a world class system right now if I didn't open up and let others provide real, unadulterated criticism as I have progressed in my audio journey. To date, I have not been offended at all. Not even once. Things are what they are and sometimes having a trained ear expose something that you may not have even been aware of is not only enlightening, but beneficial to the system (and the end result as to what hits your ears).

This was my rig the last time it was featured at an audio event. The only change is that the tubed pre is now a Canary instead of a Dodd.



Tom

 

[cjfrbw]

I always want to know where the trap door to the alligator pit is before I listen to another audiophile's system, and also whether they have been known to remove people by force who don't display groveling praise.

I was surprised when canoodling more in the past that there was a reasonable consensus about what did and didn't sound good amongst experienced audiophiles. However, there is some competitive cattiness amongst some of the oligarchs about other oligarch installations. There is also the rare narcissistic, oppositional defiant audiophile who only wants to hear somebody else's rig in order to dump on it.

I always enjoy listening to other people's solutions irregardless. I would say 9 times out of 10 it is a good experience, and the other times aren't terrible for the most part.

I am happy to let audiophiles hear my system, even though I am a bit self conscious about it, being a somewhat tilted oddball system off the beaten track. People have generally been courteous to my face, and some have liked it a lot.

My system has gotten so addictive, I am almost grateful for the down time in Santa Cruz, otherwise I might really go overboard listening, and it gives me something to look forward to when I get back.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Is there any good that can come from bringing an audiophile over if you’re currently happy with your system?

only if you enjoy the session.

i suppose my views on sharing my system are best represented by the fact it's a dedicated listening room for me only, yet i have a sofa and 3 chairs behind my sweet spot chair. and another 10 chairs in a closet. my plan is to have frequent visitors and it's been that way for this room and the previous one.

sometimes i do need feedback on a change or i'm checking out new gear. but mostly i just enjoy the company of like minded audiophiles. many have become really great friends.

there was a many year long period where i was flailing around trying to get the room and system to work right. lots of lows, and a few highs. and the reactions of people to my system was all over the board. and i don't regret any of that feedback for a second. lots of that feedback led to growth by me and progress in the room. now it's mostly just fun, fun, fun.

personally i view that as 'good'.

 

[the sound of Tao]

I always want to know where the trap door to the alligator pit is before I listen to another audiophile's system, and also whether they have been known to remove people by force who don't display groveling praise.

I was surprised when canoodling more in the past that there was a reasonable consensus about what did and didn't sound good amongst experienced audiophiles. However, there is some competitive cattiness amongst some of the oligarchs about other oligarch installations. There is also the rare narcissistic, oppositional defiant audiophile who only wants to hear somebody else's rig in order to dump on it.

I always enjoy listening to other people's solutions irregardless. I would say 9 times out of 10 it is a good experience, and the other times aren't terrible for the most part.

I am happy to let audiophiles hear my system, even though I am a bit self conscious about it, being a somewhat tilted oddball system off the beaten track. People have generally been courteous to my face, and some have liked it a lot.

My system has gotten so addictive, I am almost grateful for the down time in Santa Cruz, otherwise I might really go overboard listening, and it gives me something to look forward to when I get back.

Lol

 

[Ron Resnick]

Depends, if you go to the gym and squat in bad form, do you take feedback constructively or tell the guy to get lost so you can continue bad squatting and bad dead lifting?

. . .

I'm not sure that's a great analogy. I would think that orthopedic experts can evaluate squatting form pretty objectively. (Of course our doctor members should please correct me if I'm wrong.) I would think there is likely more subjectivity in high-end audio than there is in orthopedically proper or improper work-out technique.

 

[Ron Resnick]

If the house is ever finished, and if the stereo is ever working, I definitely am looking forward to having audiophile friends visit, both for the purpose of enjoying music together, as well as for the purpose of getting independent opinions from people with widely varying subjective preferences.

I have no difficulty listing the sonic attributes that I am not terribly sensitive to or good at evaluating. I think it is valuable to hear the opinions of people who are sensitive to sonic characteristics on which I do not or cannot focus.

It is a subjective hobby: just because an audiophile doesn't like something sonically in your system does not mean that he/she is "right" and that your system is "wrong." In fact, I am looking forward to seeing if I can predict correctly criticisms from certain audiophile friends, based on what I know to be our differences in subjective preferences.

I think it helps to have at least a bit of self-confidence that you are happy with your sound, and that you have achieved the sound you want.