Expensive system for non audiophile listeners - is it worth it?

[Rt66indierock]

... I am a huge music fan - but I mainly come from a subcultural background. I like Ska, Punk, Rockabilly and Psychobilly, some Country/Folk and so on... I do not listen to Classical or Jazz and certainly don`t buy music because it`s "audiophile". Still I enjoy my system (suppose it`s entry level for most here but still above average for most) and I do like what it does with most albums. On the other hand I sometimes wonder if it actually makes sense considering my musical preferences or if it`s basically just wasted potential... any thoughts on this? Anyone else care for the hobby but mainly listen to non audiophile music/recordings?

You should never listen to audiophile music. I like The Eagles but never listen to Hotel California because it is audiophile music.

My advice is to match the recording quality of the music you listen to. In my case that means there is no point having a system that Blonde on Blonde mono sounds bad on.

This site is for folks interested in expensive gear and going down rabbit holes. Whether some of their favorites are even high fidelity is questionable.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

You should never listen to audiophile music. I like The Eagles but never listen to Hotel California because it is audiophile music.

so we have rules and someone in charge of what is ok to listen to?

My advice is to match the recording quality of the music you listen to. In my case that means there is no point having a system that Blonde on Blonde mono sounds bad on.

systems ought to be able to play what the recording presents. all of it. but i do enjoy my mono pressing of Blonde On Blonde played with my mono cartridge.

This site is for folks interested in expensive gear and going down rabbit holes. Whether some of their favorites are even high fidelity is questionable.

many here have serious music collections and and much of the discussions are about listening, and music, not gear. but maybe you don't pay attention to those type discussions.

 

[Robh3606]

I’ll flip it around and ask if having an “audiophile” system limits some owners to only “good” sounding recordings. Some systems are so revealing that owners feel compelled to feed them only “audiophile” recordings.

Well is it the system or the owner? Sounds like a simple case of being such a fuss pot you are never happy, like audio nervosa, you have cables, speakers and boxes swapped out constantly in search of the "grail". The owner is both choosing the system and deciding what he see's as good enough to play on it.

Obviously the music is not the priority unless you like being boxed in and limited and don't care to explore what's out there. Fidelity should take a back seat if music is the priority.

YMMV

Rob

 

[microstrip]

The term “Audiophile Music” is cringe-worthy to say the least. And the music that fits that category, and is typically played by cowardly audio show exhibitors, is to me usually soul-crushing.
I don’t have any problem at all finding interesting music that also sounds good.

Most "Audiophile Music" is simply good music, that because it is well recorded become used in audiophile sessions and shows.

However denigrating "Audiophile Music" just because a few people focus perhaps excessively on it because it is a common, easily accessible reference for comparisons, became a sign of audiophile maturity ...

 

[hopkins]

Most "Audiophile Music" is simply good music

You can browse through the “Hi-Fi Partners” playlists on Qobuz to confirm that you often find the same tracks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I find too many tracks to be very dull and uninteresting.

 

[hopkins]

A few months ago, I attended a music critic’s “lecture” on John Barry’s music in an audiophile bar (“Listener”) here in Paris. The system included Tune Audio Anima speakers and Aries Cerat electronics. I thought this was a really good idea and a nice way to experience “high end audio”. If audio shows (or even dealers) organized similar events I would be more tempted to go…

 

[Kbh57]

As to the OPs question, I suppose I don’t know the definition of “audiophile music.” Because audiophiles listen to lots of different kinds of music.
I don’t listen to classical, not my thing, and have varied tastes.
I like blues, soul, R&B, country and classics like Ella Fitzgerald. I enjoy relaxing and listening to lots of different kinds of music, it clears my mind.
I enjoy it more if it’s well recorded and reproduced on a high-quality audio system. I suspect you would find the same.

I don’t think it really matters what you listen to, it’s how you listen. If you use music as background, kind of like wallpaper, while you’re doing other things, it really doesn’t matter whether you have a high-end rig or a Bluetooth speaker. But if you really focus on the music and clear your mind of everything else, then the system and the quality of the recording both really matter. At least to me.

 

[PeterA]

I’ll flip it around and ask if having an “audiophile” system limits some owners to only “good” sounding recordings. Some systems are so revealing that owners feel compelled to feed them only “audiophile” recordings. I actually know the answer: yes. And that’s a real shame. I can be guilty of preferring my “better sounding” records at times. But I also listen, like you, to a ton of music that’s probably never even been touched by a decent stylus. As I see it your existential crisis is far more palatable that the reverse.

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who feels compelled to only play the best recordings. That sounds very limiting.

 

[Tangram]

my Classic Records LZ 45rpm box set sounds fabulous on my best tt set-up.

You’re a lucky man Mike. $26,000 on Discogs. I don’t like Led Zeppelin THAT much. Again, that’s the audiophile version which is kinda my point.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

You’re a lucky man Mike. $26,000 on Discogs. I don’t like Led Zeppelin THAT much. Again, that’s the audiophile version which is kinda my point.

i do feel lucky to have that set and never take it for granted. i also have the the Classic Records 33rpm versions which are also very very fine. 'dear' but not un-obtainium.

 

[AudioHR]

... I am a huge music fan - but I mainly come from a subcultural background. I like Ska, Punk, Rockabilly and Psychobilly, some Country/Folk and so on... I do not listen to Classical or Jazz and certainly don`t buy music because it`s "audiophile". Still I enjoy my system (suppose it`s entry level for most here but still above average for most) and I do like what it does with most albums. On the other hand I sometimes wonder if it actually makes sense considering my musical preferences or if it`s basically just wasted potential... any thoughts on this? Anyone else care for the hobby but mainly listen to non audiophile music/recordings?

What's audiophile music

 

[AudioHR]

Be careful with a lot of the advice you get in this forum, it is dominated by people primarily listening to very limited types of music. Classical for a lot of the horn and SET tube amp lovers. A lot of flow and tone and little emphasis on rhythmic abilities.

I don't think there is any shame either way! We like what we like and if it sounds good on our system then that is a bonus. If we think or know it could sound better then we begin to explore what is possible. I think that is what makes us an audiophile regardless of cost or prestige!

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who feels compelled to only play the best recordings. That sounds very limiting.

i think if you are into classical, and are open to lots of early music, there are almost an unlimited amount of high quality pressings available very reasonably. are these all 'best'? more that they are lovingly performed and recorded. some are an acquired taste. but one i have developed over time. almost none would be recognized as 'popular' or 'audiophile'.

OTOH if we limit ourselves to the most desired classical original pressings, or golden age jazz original/audiophile pressings, or classic rock best pressings, and that is all we play, then agree that would be quite musically limiting.

so only playing wonderful sounding recordings need not be limiting at all if your musical tastes are open. and yes; i have a handful of lesser sounding vinyl pressings i play occasionally. but with great digital there is a limit to that stuff for me. sure; we do have some music not perfectly recorded where the emotional connection is great that we all listen to, but not that many. sometimes new music does not sound the best, but might have redeeming qualities. music can touch is on many levels. and live music can be trash.....but maybe perfect trash. those moments are more than just music.

 

[Kingrex]

I upped my system reciently with a much better CD on the horn tweeter. Its very obvious what its doing with Classical. Its also apparent on othet music like Eagles and Steely Dan. But I am somewhat aware that higher resolution has greater benefit, to me, on some music more than others. I dig the Sinatra Duets album. But I would be just as happy playing it with my old CD as on the new. Its the music I like.

on the other hand, Handel Messiah is seriously improved as I can hear subtle details the musicians are playing that make the music that much more special and engaging. So, I can see someone saying a quality, high resolution system might benefit a classical listner more than a rock listner.

Scale is a different concept. I have heard Led Zeppelin at Mikes. The shear scale, size and energy makes that music come alive. But scale can come at a much lower price. Scale and good resolution can come from say a Altex Voice of the Theatre horn speaker and a basic 40 watt amp. I have heard it and was blown away. Just massive. And very emotionally engaging. It turned me to a quest for more horn goodness.

 

[microstrip]

You can browse through the “Hi-Fi Partners” playlists on Qobuz to confirm that you often find the same tracks. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I find too many tracks to be very dull and uninteresting.

The Qobuz Hi-Fi Partner Playlists are playlists created in collaboration with top audio brands and companies in the hi-fi industry to demo equipment and surely are used by audio brands at trade shows or for product demonstrations. We can expect that most of them will not match our particular musical preferences. However, IMO they are not what people in WBF currently address as "audiophile music". For me, "audiophile music" lists were mostly created by reviewers of known magazines, built and used along decades, not by trade or Qobuz, probably using AI based criteria ... All IMO, YMMV.

 

[microstrip]

I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who feels compelled to only play the best recordings. That sounds very limiting.

In fact, I have met such people - usually they have a small music library and they listen to their systems for a limited time, as they are busy people and also have other hobbies . Surely they want to enjoy the best of sound reproduction according to their preference.

Very few audiophiles are retired people who listen more than four hours per day in average ... I select the music I listen mostly by composer and performance, but surely also seriously considering recording quality.

BTW, as with most things in this hobby, for me there are not such thing as the absolute "best recordings".

 

[djsina2]

i do feel lucky to have that set and never take it for granted. i also have the the Classic Records 33rpm versions which are also very very fine. 'dear' but not un-obtainium.

I have the 33’s, they sound decent. But to my point, my friend sent me his “RL” OG copy of LZII and it blew the Classics away. So raw and powerful compared to the Classics. That’s when I got serious about getting better pressings.

 

[Holmz]

It was the 80s. High school. They were in San Francisco for a show. The band was friends.with a.kid I knew older brother. The older brother brought them by the kid I knew house for bong hits and some jam time. It was pretty cool to see.

FWIW the kid whos house I was at ended up with a fairly successful band and a couple hits. I hear he is a producer with a big house and fat wallet. Not really sure. Never saw him again after high school.

Got to see Bad Religion and Social Distortion at the Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne a couple of years ago.

 

[Holmz]

so we have rules and someone in charge of what is ok to listen to?

systems ought to be able to play what the recording presents. all of it. but i do enjoy my mono pressing of Blonde On Blonde played with my mono cartridge.

many here have serious music collections and and much of the discussions are about listening, and music, not gear. but maybe you don't pay attention to those type discussions.

Maybe he @Rt66indierock needed to insert some smilies to convey the humour?

 

[Kingrex]

I have the 33’s, they sound decent. But to my point, my friend sent me his “RL” OG copy of LZII and it blew the Classics away. So raw and powerful compared to the Classics. That’s when I got serious about getting better pressings.

I have some 15 ips tapes and they are much better than the vinyl I have. The 33rpm I have suck.