What's the Goal of a High Performance System?

Everything Else
65

Roy - your post points up a really interesting and important thing. The difference between listening with people who “get it” or care about and hear the same things you do - even if your tastes in gear and music aren’t exactly the same, is a major deal. It can take many forms and be subtle and involve tradeoffs.

When I think of all of the comments from people who mention having to adapt the room to serving other purposes, their spouse’s interest/lack thereof/decorating tastes, etc., I reflect on my life with my late wife, and how that subtly but profoundly changed how things were music-wise in our house for me (and my children - until they were older). This is not to say that it was bad by any stretch - or that I blame her for anything - and I would take her back in an instant and give up my current freedom with respect to all things audio. But the dynamic of sharing a house and a life with someone is not an insignificant part in this equation. I would say that now, with 20/20 hindsight, I would do things somewhat differently. Not that I would “put my foot down” and impose my will on them more - but that I would share my love and enthusiasm more.

Just smile at those who don’t get it and communicate what you hear - and your love for it. Sometimes, it’s like being a rabid fan of an obscure sport that no one has heard of or understands how it is played.

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66

This is a great thread.

My goal in building a High Performance System is to experience a Flow State.

Flow State is a scientific description of being in the Zone. The way an athlete, or a musician, or a surgeon can achieve complete immersion in an activity such that she that gets around the ego and eliminates the sense of passing time.

When I’m really listening well, I get there. I see my challenge as complete understanding of a piece of music – identifying and tracking every instrument and musician in the soundstage, seeing their interactions, comprehending their intent.

In the rock parlance it’s called melting faces. That’s what I’m after! Ego dissolution. I want my face melted by any piece of music I give my full attention to, whether it’s Sabbath or Tchaikovsky or a girl with a guitar.

Good gear is just a vehicle for getting there. Better gear helps, but all that really matters is my acceptance of the challenge and the quality of my attention.

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