I love listening to music and as my system has improved I've found it easier to get into a new album or enjoy different forms of music other than those I grew up with. Some upgrades have led to a song which once irritated me becoming palatable or start to make sense for the first time.
This is great, but it frightens me sometimes when I think about how much money I have spent to reach this point. I'm certainly not a rich man. Then I think about a friend of mine who loves music as much as myself. He's still using his Technics system from the late 80s and is quite happy. He works from home and listens to music nearly all day. He never complains about anything Hi-Fi related and never says anything to suggest that he finds his system irritating or tiresome when listening all day long.
When I think about my friend and all the thousands of people content with their ipods etc, I wonder if I am particularly sensitive in some way? Have I developed my ear over the years so that I can only really enjoy high fidelity? - I don't think so.
If anything, my friend mentioned above is better able to get into new fashions in music and pick up on a new hit song. I often need more repeated listening for a song to grow on me. Perhaps this is the key and why I only find new music accessible through a very tuneful system?
My listening really only began as a teenager with a Walkman and I was totally happy with it. I was able to become as immersed in the music as I am now. Perhaps I should have stuck with the walkman and added another bedroom to the house instead!?
What do other members think? Has anyone had similar experiences? Do you wonder what this Hi-Fi lark is all about at times?