Do you share your system with other audiophiles?
- Thread starter steve59
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I have met some of my best friends through the audio thing. I think it’s also safe to say that the People who I have been lucky enough to form close friendships with are all music lovers. We get a huge kick out of turning each other on to new music. We also drink a lot when we’re together so it all tends to sound great anyway, lol!
We do come at it from different angles. I enjoy listening to my buddy’s big Wilson XLF rig very much. It always adds to the perspective of my own (horn) systems presentation. I miss him because he moved out of state recently. He will soon realize that Austin, TX has way better booze and prettier girls than Oregon though
There have certainly been a few turds who I have had to endure over the years. These people don’t tend to make repeat visits though.
We do come at it from different angles. I enjoy listening to my buddy’s big Wilson XLF rig very much. It always adds to the perspective of my own (horn) systems presentation. I miss him because he moved out of state recently. He will soon realize that Austin, TX has way better booze and prettier girls than Oregon though
There have certainly been a few turds who I have had to endure over the years. These people don’t tend to make repeat visits though.
Friends, audiophiles or not, who are interested in music have visited my room. The ones who enjoy the experience return.
I have been in the position of the audiophile visiting a fellow audiophile and listening to their system. I really didn't know him and had never heard his stereo before, but he offered to play a CD on a California Audio Labs player through a pair of Hales speakers (this was around 1993). I was keen on hearing what this sounded like. I was very disappointed from the first track. The speakers were not positioned well and the music he decides to play? A new age song with whales singing in the background. I kid you not. Him: What do you think? Me: Uhhh. Yeah, sounds good! The actual music may have been good, but the sonics were awful.
If you want an honest appraisal of your room then DDk is your man!
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
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.
"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."
Surely there is no one on this forum would do that?
I welcome any of our audiophile group if they want co come and listen. I like the sound of what I have created. I know there members that don't and that is fine as the sound they like is not for my taste. Some people are rude about the comments they offer others ask if they can make suggestions.
I generally say politely please comment but don't be insulted if I don't take your advise.
As for family, which we have a lot of. I tell people if you are interested I would be happy to play music for you. I would never suggest that we should go to my music room to listen as 85% have no interest.
I had the owner of a window and door company deliver windows when we were building our home.
He asked "Do you mind if I critique the designs of you house". I responded "Not at all as long as you don't mind if I ignore it". He gave me a bit of a surprised look and said nothing.
I generally say politely please comment but don't be insulted if I don't take your advise.
As for family, which we have a lot of. I tell people if you are interested I would be happy to play music for you. I would never suggest that we should go to my music room to listen as 85% have no interest.
I had the owner of a window and door company deliver windows when we were building our home.
He asked "Do you mind if I critique the designs of you house". I responded "Not at all as long as you don't mind if I ignore it". He gave me a bit of a surprised look and said nothing.
If you want an honest appraisal of your room then DDK is your man!
That is very true,
DDK visited my system a couple of times, and short of the 2-3 heart attacks that the visits produced, the visits were very very pleasurable, as David is a great conversationalist, possesses a vast audiophile knowledge and experience.
And most of all he got a great pair of ears.
He immediately diagnosed a persistent problem I've been dealing with, so I've been able to go back in and discovered an accidental erroneous crossover setting in my Avantgarde speakers.
With regards to audiophiles visiting my system- I've had a number of those with mixed results.
Eventually we have formed a small group of audiophile friends and we visit each other systems on somewhat regular basis.
I have to say, that this group has become one of the most lasting and meaningful relationships, that everyone seems to enjoy.
Our visits are more about socializing and sharing music, than about critical listening, even though that is always part of the experience.
Having audiophiles over can lead to this: Al M., Ack, Madfloyd, PeterA, the Boston Audio Group, all enjoying a delicious dinner with wine after hearing a Brahms violin and piano sonata down the street in a chamber setting. Some of these friendships were hatched by private message on WBF. We don't always agree, but I think we have learned a lot from each other and we have had some mighty good times together.
Agreed but one thing I have noticed is that the better sounding systems within audio circles where folks check out each other's systems will have less socializing and more of everyone gathering around or fighting (in a friendly way) to have the sweet spot. This being the case regardless of the adult drinks or food served. The listening sessions also seem to last longer with more requests.
Sometimes actions with complete silence are more of a compliment to how a rig sounds than anything else.
High-Fidelity Audio has made some outstanding life-long friendships along my audio journey and along the way, you find a handful of trusted ears. Things like this are priceless. To me at least.
Tom
No not much .
As i start talking about my cable selection, they re mostly not interested to listen anymore.
As i start talking about my cable selection
, they re mostly not interested to listen anymore.
I'm afraid if I tell them about the parts that are connected with zip cord, they will make the sign of the cross at the system and run out.
Did this really happen? Was there really a time that 4 people could go out to a restaurant and have dinner together? Must be a doctored photo. Or Sweden.
It was a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away....
Interestingly, we have one Austrian, one Greek, one Canadian, and one Anglo Saxon, not quite a Boston tea party. (Sorry Ron) These are strange times and getting stranger.
No not much .
As i start talking about my cable selection
We had a music session a few months ago with a few audiophiles, a few record collectors, and a few music lovers. Halfway through a great listening session the audiophiles decided to test the sound of the 4 different turntable weights that were on site. This caused the record collectors and music lovers to leave the room and go have drinks in the kitchen with one of music lovers stating "this is exactly why I'll never be an audiophile."
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It is fun to have audiophiles over. Even the criticism is great: "What, No Tubes!"
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