Listening to music as a hobby?

[ceejaydee]

After some considerable time in a world where listening to MP3 files was the main way I accessed my music I decided to unpack my old hi-fi equipment and put it back into operation.

The Pure mini system with the long since expired CD player was removed and a space cleared for...

Source
Technics SL1210 Mk2, Stanton 500AL cartridge
NAD C521i CD, Audioquest Ruby interconnects
Technics RS-BX404 Cassette Deck

New amp purchased - Cambridge Audio Azur 351A

All sitting on an M Series Target Equipment Stand

Speakers B&W DM6000 bi wired with QED F200 cable

New Soundstyle Z2 speaker stands purchased

I know that some of this gear is few years old now but I have owned it all from new and I forgot just how much I love my B&Ws :kiss:

I bought a new amp for a couple of reasons
i) My original Technics amp is the same height as the gap between the shelves on my stand - not so good for cooling
ii) I liked the idea of still being able to access music on my ipod and laptop directly into the amp.

Needless to say once I'd set it all up vinyl and CD formats have ruled with the ipod returning to use as a convenient format when mobile especially in the car.

Music tastes have changed a lot recently but I'll save that for another post. :)

So to the title of this little tale...... I'd never really considered listening to music as a hobby but in this era of convenience and the art of cleaning and playing vinyl and listening to CDs really has become a relaxing, enjoyable and satisfying hobby.

[synsei]

Hello Christopher and a very warm welcome to AoS from me. Some nice gear you have there matey. I am quite partial to B&W speakers too, I own a pair of MK1 DM2's (now 40+ years old) and it would take something very special indeed to get me to part with them :)

It sounds as if you may have rediscovered your love of music, good innit? :D

[The Grand Wazoo]

Hi and welcome to AoS.

[Alex_UK]

Welcome to AoS Christopher. :)

Much as I hate to do it to a new member on his first post, but I'm going to have to disagree with you... ;)
Listening to music as a hobby? - sorry fella, not in a million years for me - listening to music is a physical need, much like food and oxygen - however dicking about with hifi gear is definitely a hobby. :)

Please don't take offence as I'm just having a bit of fun, and I hope you enjoy the forum. :)

[ceejaydee]

Welcome to AoS Christopher. :)

Much as I hate to do it to a new member on his first post, but I'm going to have to disagree with you... ;) - sorry fella, not in a million years for me - listening to music is a physical need, much like food and oxygen - however dicking about with hifi gear is definitely a hobby. :)

Please don't take offence as I'm just having a bit of fun, and I hope you enjoy the forum. :)

Right; that's it. First and last post :ner:

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I have always listened to lots of music but Dave hit it on the head in that I have rediscovered my Love of music and new styles too :thumbsup:

Looking to rationalise some of the bits from other hobbies to set up another system in my office/den err junk room :gig:

[MartinT]

Hi Christopher and welcome to AoS. That little lot should play Hawkwind just fine :)

[ceejaydee]

Hi Christopher and welcome to AoS. That little lot should play Hawkwind just fine :)

Oh yes ;)

Forgot to mention that the setup also includes a Project phono box as the Cambridge amp is devoid of one; thinking of maybe upgrading this to a Cambridge Azur 551.

Also using a set of Sennheiser HD580 Precision Headphones which was a hefty investment back in the day.

[Spectral Morn]

Welcome to AOS

Church of Hawkwind ummmmmm :) I used to be crazy about HW when younger, but these days its the albums from 74 to 82 which I still like, CoH was the album I parted with them over and the next one Zones wasn't much better imho. I just felt that they were regurgitating the same old same old - a real shame.

I hope you enjoy the forum :cool:


Regards Neil

[RichB]

Hi Christopher and welcome,

Sounds like a similar experience to mine where after numerous house moves my old HiFi (pioneer, technics and mission) had become sidelined and I found myself 'enjoying' music on a rubbish pair of computer speakers or a little Yamaha mini system in my kitchen. It always felt as if something was missing so I reintroduced it back in to the living room, in direct competition with her beloved TV and that is where the story started again for me. A listening chair was installed and my hobby reignited. Now my listening time gets the appropriate priority and as I'm sat here now on a pleasant Saturday morning with the main system doing its thing I've no regrets.

The main thing I've learned from being a member here was how to seamlessly integrate file based audio into my system and it has now become my primary source, though I do still buy CDs and spin vinyl occasionally. Perhaps some form of computer audio could be the next step for you and it can be achieved well and on a reasonable budget.

Also love a bit of Hawkwind myself having seen them a few times live over the last 25 years. Electric teepee era being my favourite stuff. Right to decide, too right.

All the best

Rich

[DSJR]

Hello and welcome from me :)

I have HIFI as a hobby/life obsession, which has waxed and waned as I've gone on in life, but MUSIC is a totally different matter, whether I'm streaming YouTube via headphoned plugged into my laptop (middle aged Dell Latitude laptops do seem to have a nice amp system in them for this sort of thing), or playing the main stereo's at various volumes from whisper quiet to moderate levels (I don't play loud at home any more)...

As said above, MUSIC is a basic life NEED for me, however reproduced. My all-round health and wellbeing definitely suffers without it and although I prefer listening via a half decent playback system, a little tranny radio will do if there's nowt else :)

[John]

Welcome to AOS
For me listening to music is a way of life

[Rare Bird]

Church of Hawkwind

nay fanks ;)

[Haselsh1]

I'm not sure I would want to exist without music. It was my first real passion back in '66 and I have never been without it. The hi-fi is a bit of fun but I can't really imagine a life without music of one sort or another. In '94 I played electric bass with a band and that made it all even more complete. Lovin it.

[ceejaydee]

Thanks for the welcome guys.

I have always enjoyed music and it has been an integral part of my life and will continue to be; what has changed recently is the way in which I actively participate in the listening process and have reawakened an interest in the equipment used to play the various formats :)