Can someone please explain this to me

[DaveyF]

I think we may be giving a bad rap to most musicians. I happen to think that most musicians would love to have a system that the majority here would not think twice about. Problem is that like the typical guy in the street, they are either a) unaware that such a system or such gear exists, and /or b) the price is too high for serious consideration.
I know for a fact that all of my musician friends ( and I have quite a few) were unaware of high end audio, until I introduced them. Then, they were very interested, but typically priced out. ( although a few did penny up for a decent entry level system; with a little bit of my advice )

 

[Diapason]

Spot on, DaveyF. That's been my experience too.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I am a musician and audiophile - not sure where that leaves me

In answer to the question, it boils down to priorities. Most musician friends don't really sit down to listen to music on audio equipment to enjoy the fidelity of the real event. Instead they are listening to interpretation, musicianship, and art - this can be readily done through MP3 and free earphones.

My dad (ex prof at Royal academy) has vintage wharfedales with tweeters hanging out, and old reciever he got for peanuts from the neighbour and a Cambridge audio CD player that I bought him! It is absolutely wrong to conclude that musicians are merely following their parts and not able to appreciate the macro level event. This might apply to some, but if you conduct or are playing in an orchestra, it is essential that you understand the overall direction of the event rather than merely your part IMHO.