I'm done chasing the illusion

[grillebilly]

I’ve always been jealous of the folks who get by with a boombox and enjoy it without even a hint at wanting more.

I bought one of the most eclectic jazz and blues cd collections in existence from the estate of a friend. Around 15,000 titles. What was his system? A cheap portable CD player/boombox. I couldn't believe it. This guy was a walking encyclopedia about music. He grew up in Detroit and had seen everybody who was anybody. I kept the boombox as a reminder. I looked at it as sad that that was his rig but he was happy. Who am I to judge?

 

[El Rubio]

If it were that simple, this thread wouldn't exist. In my car, passive listening is easy, because I'm focused on driving. Right now, I have a pair of speakers on top of cabinets that are above my desk, so the sound is emanating from an "undefined" location. The moment the speakers are placed in a conventional space, my brain switches on the analytics. NOTHING I do can simply "switch it off".

I can't drink, smoke, or otherwise because I'm at work. Ever sine I bought my first real audio gear back in the 80's, this has been my curse, I am always critical listening. I don't know how I can make it any more clear. The advice is great, but it doesn't work.

You know this illusion is in your head. If you want to do something about it, you have to make the effort. People here have given you lots of ideas and you need to try some.
I have several hobbies and I tend to run hot and cold on some of them. I know I love those hobbies that my current interest has waned a bit, but I know better than to sell everything because I am not as interested at the moment as I think I should be. Especially if it is something I’ll regret selling or have trouble replacing.
Critical listening is fine, but letting it dominate your experience is something you let happen. Just turn off the music. If you find you are doing it when you turn it back on, Turn it off again.

 

[RT Fan]

I am too busy listening to the music to listen to my gear. I have no complaints about the sound quality coming from my various systems. From the best one to the basement rig, I am always pleased with what I hear. It has been several years since I bought any new or used gear and have no such desire to accumulate any more. I have slowly shed some pieces and if it weren’t for the virus situation i would have sold off some more this year.

 

[geezin']

I've been in the game since the 70's and I just don't think I can do it anymore. Countless pieces of gear, hours spent piecing together and dollars spent - and I'm never satisfied. I though switching from SS to tubes was the answer, but to no avail. I could spend the rest of my days changing things and never be satisfied. Between tinnitus and the constant "need" inside my head for critical listening, picking apart what my system is and isn't doing...It's a never ending cycle of disappointment & disillusionment.

I need to have music, but at this point I want to sell everything and just get a simple bluetooth speaker and call it a day. Eff me

Yeah I get that. I'm returning to decent home audio after a considerable time away doing other things. My old system (Akai 910-DB/Sanyo TP-600/unknown big 3 way speakers) was awesome to me at the time. I look online and see so many reviews of something I believe I may enjoy and become disgusted.

I've purchased a rebuilt Fisher 440T with some upgrades. Decided on Klipsch R-600F speakers and am seeking a turntable. Likely to be a Fisher direct drive PLL vintage unit. And dammit I'll be happy with that. Hell I'm 61 years old saw many LOUD concerts in the '70-'80s,shot guns,raced motorcycles,work on them for income (ignoring hearing protection for years) so hearing prob'ly isn't the greatest anyways.

 

[GChief]

so hearing prob'ly isn't the greatest anyways.

That’s easy to test and maybe improve

 

[jlm86]

Yeah I get that. I'm returning to decent home audio after a considerable time away doing other things. My old system (Akai 910-DB/Sanyo TP-600/unknown big 3 way speakers) was awesome to me at the time. I look online and see so many reviews of something I believe I may enjoy and become disgusted.

I've purchased a rebuilt Fisher 440T with some upgrades. Decided on Klipsch R-600F speakers and am seeking a turntable. Likely to be a Fisher direct drive PLL vintage unit. And dammit I'll be happy with that. Hell I'm 61 years old saw many LOUD concerts in the '70-'80s,shot guns,raced motorcycles,work on them for income (ignoring hearing protection for years) so hearing prob'ly isn't the greatest anyways.

Yes, lots of us have hf hearing loss..
Happy listening

 

[grillebilly]

listening to the music

That is the advice that keeps being given. Which of course brings us to the age old question of music v. gear.
Which got me thinking...how many of us really are music "lovers"? We all like music, but to what degree? It's just like everything else. We try to understand, but there's no way we can.
The OP could be extreme either way and still come up with the same feeling, the music coming out doesn't do the recording justice.

 

[GChief]

@CraigVMN I may have missed it in previous posts or threads. Is your office set-up (which seems to be your primary) a near-field on the desk or “over there” in the room? Getting great sound either way is not difficult . Is it possible you expecting to be 90% “there” with a room and gear that will only get you 70% “there” ?

 

[geezin']

That’s easy to test and maybe improve

Yes, lots of us have hf hearing loss..
Happy listening

I just took one of those online hearing tests and amazingly it said I need no correction as there's no detectable loss. And this from a site trying to sell hearing aids. I know it's not perfect but surprising nonetheless.

 

[jcg1112]

I've been in the game since the 70's and I just don't think I can do it anymore. Countless pieces of gear, hours spent piecing together and dollars spent - and I'm never satisfied. I though switching from SS to tubes was the answer, but to no avail. I could spend the rest of my days changing things and never be satisfied. Between tinnitus and the constant "need" inside my head for critical listening, picking apart what my system is and isn't doing...It's a never ending cycle of disappointment & disillusionment.

I need to have music, but at this point I want to sell everything and just get a simple bluetooth speaker and call it a day. Eff me

If it were that simple, this thread wouldn't exist. In my car, passive listening is easy, because I'm focused on driving. Right now, I have a pair of speakers on top of cabinets that are above my desk, so the sound is emanating from an "undefined" location. The moment the speakers are placed in a conventional space, my brain switches on the analytics. NOTHING I do can simply "switch it off".

I can't drink, smoke, or otherwise because I'm at work. Ever sine I bought my first real audio gear back in the 80's, this has been my curse, I am always critical listening. I don't know how I can make it any more clear. The advice is great, but it doesn't work.

Got no advice other than > Chuck it all. You’ve already made up your mind. Done.

 

[Quadman2]

Pretty much what could have been expressed has been done so, coming in through the different doors of thought.


You are not alone in your quest for better sound, many have walked this illusive road of sound.

As some have shared, maybe it's time to take a break from the listening and try out another endeavour..then come back. Your expectations might have changed by then.

I think we've all chased that proverbial "carrot" that we never seem to reach, but in the end, it's more of a mind game, and it often takes time/change to realize this.

And don't knock today's BT experience as they are over the 5.0 threshold, and with lossless format factored in....the end results are pretty darn good!

FWIT

Q

 

[CraigVMN]

When I first decided I wanted music at work, I was fine with a small portable BT speaker. Then I decided I wanted something better, so I went with a pair of bookshelf speakers. The I added a sub. Then I thought "what if I got separates? I wonder what tube gear offers"? And it all snowballed from there. Getting better gear was a double edged sword - It allowed me to hear and appreciate good recordings, but also let me know how poor sounding other recordings are. Problem is, I like all the songs on my playlist. It would seem I was happier when my expectations were lower. I'm now thinking I want to go back to a simple receiver & speaker setup. Hopefully, if I'm not expecting much, I won't feel like I'm missing out. A large part of my frustration lies with my hearing being so shoddy.

I originally came to this site with questions about tube gear. While I have been able to offer help to others here and there, 700+ posts later and I am still seeking help. I truly appreciate all the advice, insights and suggestions from those in the community whom share in this sometimes tumultuous hobby.

 

[Darby Crash]

Although im only 5 years into this hobby i can relate already. I just finished work on another pair of vintage speakers... read 100's of posts regarding their sound. But their sound is that persons view of said sound, not mine. As i recently posted, now im just confused. They sound great, but so do the speakers in my sorta main setup. But the problem is they have a completely different sound! As i stated, its not like i can run over to someone else's to hear their rig and compare. Still that would be yet another different sound. Finishing this pair of speakers and putting me in this new mindset has really stopped me from waking up and checking local listings and scanning estate sale app for more speakers.
I think i will be going back to a set of computer speakers w/sub running off old iphone in my garage.

 

[JoeESP9]

I have tinnitus too and due to ignoring sinus issue, one day at work i got a contusion that left my left ear with metallic rattle for couple years.
My gear choice changed since then and while either this issue (nearly) disappeared or my brain has trained to ignore it, I find SET sound is most pleasing.
It has much softer midrange, where most other gear produce sounds that resonate for my hearing. Low watt SET and efficient speakers was the answer for me. I'm enjoying music again.

It's not so much how you got there. That you did is all that matters.

 

[Hajidub]

Want to start a fight on AK? Just mention that the OP's frustration all began when he installed an EQ....LOL. The OP is just one of many on this site that seems to have this issue, always fiddling and tweaking, never really just relaxing and enjoying the music for it is. I also believe the system and the OP's listening might not be the issue, it's the unconscious mental exhaustion of tinnitus.

 

[BOUXY]

I listen or have listened to all types of Music but now I find I love to listen basically listen to Instrumental forms of all Music.Still have my Singers/Bands I prefer but mostly Instrumentals

 

[RunOutGroove]

Although im only 5 years into this hobby i can relate already. I just finished work on another pair of vintage speakers... read 100's of posts regarding their sound. But their sound is that persons view of said sound, not mine. As i recently posted, now im just confused. They sound great, but so do the speakers in my sorta main setup. But the problem is they have a completely different sound! As i stated, its not like i can run over to someone else's to hear their rig and compare. Still that would be yet another different sound. Finishing this pair of speakers and putting me in this new mindset has really stopped me from waking up and checking local listings and scanning estate sale app for more speakers.
I think i will be going back to a set of computer speakers w/sub running off old iphone in my garage.

I don't really get the problem...? You say that this this new set of speakers "sound great," yet you are disappointed that they sound different than your old speakers? I would say that the idea of "different" is the whole point of it and this is why there is so much gear to choose from. The more that you learn, the more that you realize that there really is nothing like a reference sound and that everything imparts its own color. I personally don't have an issue with that and in fact I really like the fact that I'm able to hear the same piece of music in different ways by hearing them on different sets of speakers. I have two sets of speakers connected to one system, one in the main room and the other in a bedroom office. One set of speakers seems to have more punch, more weight to the sound and the other sounds a bit thin in comparison but has great transparency (lots of depth and the ability to hear every detail). Since I tend to play more subtle type music when I'm in the extra room, the I've got the set of speakers that does subtlety a bit better in that room and then the other speakers which are better for cranking up rock and roll, are in the other room. I really wound't expect both sets of speakers to sound even remotely similar, unless I bought two pairs of the same or at least of very similar...

 

[hifitommy]

agreed. it started in the late 50s for me with stuff like Rumble by Link Wray but also there was Buddy Holly..

 

[grindfix]

Tinnitus is result of high frequency hearing loss (to a degree, of course). As I was explained by ENT, our brain simulates this lost frequency and projects into our hearing.
I HATE it! But I learned to accept it and found that high efficiency speakers with horns are able to reproduce HF at lower listening levels and satisfy my needs. I do use digital EQ in Colibri but vinyl I listen to as it was recorded. It is what it is!

 

[Kybronco]

I've been in the game since the 70's and I just don't think I can do it anymore. Countless pieces of gear, hours spent piecing together and dollars spent - and I'm never satisfied. I though switching from SS to tubes was the answer, but to no avail. I could spend the rest of my days changing things and never be satisfied. Between tinnitus and the constant "need" inside my head for critical listening, picking apart what my system is and isn't doing...It's a never ending cycle of disappointment & disillusionment.

I need to have music, but at this point I want to sell everything and just get a simple bluetooth speaker and call it a day. Eff me

Its so funny I was just about to post a question about chasing a sound from my first and best stereo. I bought it when I was 18 and sold it when I was 20. Now I’m 62 and am chasing that sound and I am wondering if it’s just a ghost in my memory that I will never find? Anyway it looks by all these posts that we all are chasing something which is funny in a way and depressing at the same time. Happy trails everyone I hope we all find what we are looking for !