The Audiophile As a Social Construct...
Posted by: Jan-Erik Nordoen on 16 April 2016
... is just one of the chapters on Julian Musgrave's wonderful Audio Insight website. He takes an in-depth look at why we do high-end audio, which makes a refreshing change from virtually every other audio site that looks at how to do it.
« separation of why from how is a crucial element in the process for the following reason. Everything we do in high end audio must be judged against what we are trying to achieve. Thus how we do high end audio can only be validated against why we do high end audio.
This much seems to be obvious but we audiophiles muddy the waters by confusing why we do high end audio with how we do high end audio. Let me explain. The methodology of reading reviews, going to shows, auditioning and so on and so forth, even down to what sort of sound we want is all about how we do high end audio. It has little or nothing to say why we do high end audio apart from the mouthing of a string of demonstrably useless axioms. Virtually all of the discussion in high end audio is about how we do it. It is a discussion about method.
...
There is good reason for why we love doing how and why we avoid why. The how is actually more interesting than the why. If we are doing how we can focus outwards on equipment, shiny new boxes, gorgeous turntables, hard facts, measurements and specifications – all of which, being men, we are good at. These things are engaging, sensuous and seductive, as we all know. By contrast why means we must focus inwards on more difficult issues like our psychological landscape. We will have to do silly things like ask ourselves why we are audiophiles, what brought us here and what drives us. Our inner audiophile is not nearly as attractive as a new tonearm. One is a brilliantly designed and perfectly formed piece of precision engineering that delights the eye with its clean lines, its purposeful beauty and its promise of perfection. The other? It’s none of these things. Let’s be honest. Looking inwardly at ourselves does not reveal an especially pretty vista so we gloss over it. Pretend it doesn’t matter. We are not nearly as good at the why, so we avoid it.
The problem is that, while doing the how is fun, clearly in the long run it does not nourish and satisfy. Regrettably, if we want to achieve our goals in high end audio then we must do the why thing whether we like it or not. »
Treat yourself to a few hours of entertaining reading ; get in in touch with your inner audiophile and slay a few SAVs* along the way.
* (Strongly Argued Views)
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Huge
If the only tool you have is a hammer, all problems start to look like nails.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Just completed Article 12 - The Review Reviewed.
Ouch !
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Innocent Bystander
The question is, if happy with one's own, why care what anyone else has, whether it is bigger and better (or more costly)? Thats a side of human nature I'e always struggled to understand - whether hifi, cars, earnings...
Of course, if not happy with what one had before learning of another person's situation is quite another matter!
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
The question is, if happy with one's own, why care what anyone else has, whether it is bigger and better (or more costly)? Thats a side of human nature I'e always struggled to understand - whether hifi, cars, earnings...
Of course, if not happy with what one had before learning of another person's situation is quite another matter!
It is called avarice with a dose of jealousy. Both prefectly normal human emotions that we all possess to differing degrees whether we care to admit to it or not.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
Further to my above post, what I do find heartwarming on here is the genuine flood of congratulatory postings when someone announces they have acquired a posh new black box. Now that is nice and exposes the more worthy of human emotions.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Agreed, but it also reinforces the normality of upgrading, which is not mandatory.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
Well upgradeitis, in Ken's words, is the subject of a whole year's conference.
I'll be at the front of the queue when the medical world find a cure.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
I'll be at the front of the queue when the medical world find a cure.
Not trying to be flippant, but this will do it :
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Ken's idea of a conference is superb and would fit neatly into the context of a hi-fi show. An afternoon examining the core tenets and strongly argued views of audiophilia...
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Adam Zielinski
Ken's idea of a conference is superb and would fit neatly into the context of a hi-fi show. An afternoon examining the core tenets and strongly argued views of audiophilia...
AUDIOPHILIA - sounds dangerous. Almost like a disease or at least some sort of perversion...
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
It is, or can be... but it's more of an obsession, albeit a fairly harmless one apart from damage to family finances.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Huge
Just read Ch12 again and feel I must review the review of reviews...
I think his case is overstated. Is it not possible to compare many single item reviews and extract information into four groups?
1 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are fully consistent between reviews
2 Characteristics that are inconsistently reported, but still show a trend
3 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are inconsistent between reviews
4 Characteristics that are not reported, or only occasionally reported
I contend that many people are capable of this meta-analysis, and can constructively use that information to establish a shortlist for personal assessment with knowledge of the characteristics of the other components within their own system.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
Ken's idea of a conference is superb and would fit neatly into the context of a hi-fi show. An afternoon examining the core tenets and strongly argued views of audiophilia...
AUDIOPHILIA - sounds dangerous. Almost like a disease or at least some sort of perversion...
Isn't it indeed both? 
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Huge
Great thread Jan.
I hear the cacophonous calling of cats and the frantic flapping of a plethora of perplexed pigeons! 
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
I'll be at the front of the queue when the medical world find a cure.
Not trying to be flippant, but this will do it :
Peace man!
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Just read Ch12 again and feel I must review the review of reviews...
I think his case is overstated. Is it not possible to compare many single item reviews and extract information into four groups?
1 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are fully consistent between reviews
2 Characteristics that are inconsistently reported, but still show a trend
3 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are inconsistent between reviews
4 Characteristics that are not reported, or only occasionally reported
I contend that many people are capable of this meta-analysis, and can constructively use that information to establish a shortlist for personal assessment with knowledge of the characteristics of the other components within their own system.
As in science, consistency and repeatability of findings, in different settings and by different researchers (reviewers), would be at the top of my list.
But... we would need some standardization of characteristics, and that's a thorny one.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
Great thread Jan.
I hear the cacophonous calling of cats and the frantic flapping of a plethora of perplexed pigeons!
Absolutely amazing and advanced application of alliteration. Admiration!
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Solid Air
It's all quite interesting to me. What is my hobby here? Is it music or hifi? Certainly music is a passion of mine, and the whole reason for having my hifi is to listen to music, and I find I enjoy it more if it's well (re)produced. The hifi aspect is an adjunct to that - a love of how things work and a love of things made well. But it's the music that counts, and I sing along quite happily with my, frankly awful, car audio system just as well as my Naim hifi.
As for the new black box 'congrats' emails, if I'm honest, and meaning no offence to anyone, but I don't get it. Congrats on spending some money? I offer congrats for people's efforts and milestones, not for adding a line to their credit card.
If I was a billionaire, would I buy a Statement? Probably not. I'm sure it sounds awesome, but somehow I just don't want to care that much about an object, however amazing. I also wouldn't buy a Ferrari or a Bentley. I remember Bill Gates saying that he wears regular chinos because they're comfortable and eats Dominos pizzas because they're nice. When you can afford a three-starred Michelin chef every night, it ceases to be about aspiration and becomes about comfort and simplicity. So should it be for hifi, not about 'more and more', but being happy with what you have.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Great thread Jan.
I hear the cacophonous calling of cats and the frantic flapping of a plethora of perplexed pigeons!
Absolutely amazing and advanced application of alliteration. Admiration!
... and musical to boot !
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by nigelb
IMO the best (if not the only) reason to upgrade is to get greater enjoyment from one current music collection and hear the best (or at least a better presentation) from future in-home music replay.
As I upgrade, I get greater pleasure from the same albums - or at least I have managed to convince myself I have. Doesn't matter any way, if I believe I enjoy music more with a more revealing system, then I do. There are always certain aspects of the quality of music reproduction in the home that I would like to enhance - upgradeitis symptoms I presume. Nothing wrong with that I would suggest as long as it does not become obsessive and as long as you don't spend more that you can reasonably afford on a pastime, hobby, passion or however you want to describe this thing.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by TOBYJUG
Just read Ch12 again and feel I must review the review of reviews...
I think his case is overstated. Is it not possible to compare many single item reviews and extract information into four groups?
1 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are fully consistent between reviews
2 Characteristics that are inconsistently reported, but still show a trend
3 Characteristics that are reported in ways that are inconsistent between reviews
4 Characteristics that are not reported, or only occasionally reported
I contend that many people are capable of this meta-analysis, and can constructively use that information to establish a shortlist for personal assessment with knowledge of the characteristics of the other components within their own system.
As in science, consistency and repeatability of findings, in different settings and by different researchers (reviewers), would be at the top of my list.
But... we would need some standardization of characteristics, and that's a thorny one.
Aesthetics is no science... When you start putting science into theories about the arts it stops being artistic.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Bert Schurink
I hadn't looked into this thread so far. Very interesting and through provoking. When I look at my journey i realize it started simple as with everybody I guess. You like music and you need equipment to replay music. You have some money to spend and that's where it starts. Then there are multiple aspect which at.e driving the journey.....
1. Just the pure basic wanting to listen to the best form of reproduction and starting to learn and experience how you can improve on that and get to a better replay. Which then tends to go in a motivation of itself.... Nr 2
2. Just the pure striving for the best you can afford. And wanting it.
3. The information research to what is better, did I buy the right stuff etc... The magazine reviews and the audio shows - you then get into the mode where you are getting interested in the information and the technology itself in a way disconnected of the music.
Then there is the music aspect of it where I think there are also a couple of things at play
1. The initial energy on collecting music and just the pure joy of music. You are still enjoying every single but and consuming it to the fullest.
2. The phase in which you start to buy alternatives, and different version of the recording.
3. The next phase is just the collection phase in which you want to be complete, out of whatever reasons.
4. The last phase where you explore so much that you don't even have the time to consume it anymore.
it would be interesting to dig into the reasoning behind why we do this all. As it's not just for listening music anymore.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Innocent Bystander
I
it would be interesting to dig into the reasoning behind why we do this all. As it's not just for listening music anymore.
erm, not sure what you can do with it other than listen to music? Though big class A amps may be good substitutes for central heating radiators (or small amps if you're lucky enough to live in a passive house).
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by TOBYJUG
Also no mention of the " visualisation " of music when under the influence of LSD and other psycho stimilulants.
Posted on: 18 April 2016 by Jan-Erik Nordoen
Then there is the music aspect of it where I think there are also a couple of things at play
1. The initial energy on collecting music and just the pure joy of music. You are still enjoying every single but and consuming it to the fullest.
2. The phase in which you start to buy alternatives, and different version of the recording.
3. The next phase is just the collection phase in which you want to be complete, out of whatever reasons.
4. The last phase where you explore so much that you don't even have the time to consume it anymore.
it would be interesting to dig into the reasoning behind why we do this all. As it's not just for listening music anymore.
I think the key word in there is "explore". I'm firmly in phase 1 of your list, but I know a couple of guys who are at phase 4. One has a CD555, 552, 500 system and somewhere north of 10,000 CDs with a steady stream of 10 to 15 CDs arriving every week. He has loads of CDs still in their wrappers, never listened to. Very odd. The other acquaintance spends most of his time and money on his dedicated listening room (he sold his house and built a new one designed around an optimum listening room with non parallel walls). His system cost more than my home and is spectacular, but he buys very little music. Again very odd (to me).
When more time and money is spent on the system than the music, it seems frankly, perverse. I don't know why the need to explore music and its meaning gets subverted to the equipment and the acoustics but I can easily see how it becomes the central focus - forums and magazines being no strangers to this process. But as long as the person so obsessed is happy and not, to quote Julian Musgrave, "throwing bombs at complete strangers," well, where is the harm ? And we all love to look at the system pictures...
