Tell Us Your "Goal" When Purchasing And Ssetting Up Your Audio System(s)

[soundhd]

I would think that most (if not all) of us have a certain goal when deciding on choices for audio system components.
Is the system going to be in the home, in a vehicle, a portable on the go type etc...
Some the ease of use, but all must decide what types of "sources" are going to be used, vinyl, CD's, computer or file based digital audio, internet service and streaming audio. Some still are using tapes, reel to reel, same cassettes...I know a few people that still have 8 track players in their classic cars.
But how many think about what should be the "goal" of the audio coming out of the speakers? Should it be "changed" or altered as some people like to do or should it be left alone?
I guess that is what makes up all the different aspects of the audio hobby, different strokes for different folks.....
So the whole point of this posting is for you to add your perspective on how you look at this hobby when it come to purchasing and using your audio system(s).

Mine: A lot goes into the recording and making of a LP, CD, etc....The artist and/or song writer writes the song. Some times a lyricist is involved with writing the lyrics. A producer and maybe an arranger are picked to head up the project. Next a group of musicians are selected (if not the original artist or group) to do the actual playing of the instruments and doing the vocal tracks. A studio and engineer(s) are picked to control the recording equipment and to finally get the "sound" that all the parties involved can agree on. Once the basic and overdub tracks are recorded, then everything is mixed down to a 2 track master tape and also in some cases now a surround master is also made along with any "effects" or over "dubs" being added. Why change all that?
A lot of "stuph" going on there.........so I think the "goal" should be to try and "copy" that exact sound that they hear in the final mix down with by trying use audio gear that will do the same or as close as possible.
Anyway, just my "opinion" and I am sure others will disagree is what makes this hobby what it is.....

[struth]

Do it so YOU enjoy the music. Also if you like nice looking gear then try and integrate that into your thinking.
What others think should be of minor interest

[Ian7633]

Rather like Grant said, to make listening to music a pleasure. My one bugbear is trying to keep the unruly interconnects out of sight as I do try to make my hifi pleasing to the eye as well as the ears.

[ReggieB]

I assemble equipment as part of my plot to take over the world. A small part ... but I think the effort will be worth it in the end.

[blackmetalboon]

My audio system is there to serve me, I’m not a slave to my audio system.

In other words it has to be ready when I need it. No faffing or fiddling needed to put some music on, no waiting for things to warm up and, most importantly, I need it to be competent in being able reproduce whatever genre of music I throw at it.

[Primalsea]

For me its about music that I like not about what only sounds good through my system. My hifi gear is in my front room and is very much a lifestyle system as well as a hifi system and it suits a variety of purposes. I can play internet radio, spotify, Amazon Music as well as all my CDs that have been ripped to a NAS drive. I also have vinyl playback as well. I can listen to music while I am working or pottering around the house as well as sitting on the sofa and just relaxing.

[Pigmy Pony]

Over the decades I've had several hobbies/interests, which I get into for a while, then leave, then return to. Most things only hold my interest for a couple of years, then are 'shelved' when something else grabs me. But motorbikes and hi-fi have endured the longest. And love of music has NEVER left me.

I can hear in my mind what my ideal system would sound like, and I would try to move towards that goal as and when funds permit (not very often), but as I find myself gaining an improvement in a particular area, another aspect of sound from my strived-for sound is compromised, eg getting a more detailed sound may cause the sound to be too bright on some recordings, and changing something to calm this down may make some music sound dull and sat-upon.

I'd love for the sound to have that visceral 'slam' where the bass drum will make my corduroy flares flap about, but I'm guessing that may cause bass issues in my rather bijou listening room. Finding the answer to that one could involve a lot of effort and expense, and I'm such a lazy tightwad.

I've never heard a system anywhere that ticks all of my above boxes (some come close) so for now I'll just enjoy what I have, but never stop dreaming of my mind's ideal system

[doodoos]

I used to think of the kit as a tool to enjoy the music but somewhere along the journey the music became a tool to listen to the Hi-Fi. Upgradeitus got the better of me but the journeys been fun so there you go.

[Primalsea]

I used to think of the kit as a tool to enjoy the music but somewhere along the journey the music became a tool to listen to the Hi-Fi. Upgradeitus got the better of me but the journeys been fun so there you go.

At least you are straight up about it and as you say it can be fun.

[Macca]

I can hear in my mind what my ideal system would sound like,

Me too. After 30 years of box-swapping I am pretty much there. Partly by happy accident, partly through experience and making an effort to learn about how audio really works and applying those principles. I think I've now got a good balance between a truthful representation of the recording and a sound that is pleasant to listen to. It's not been easy! Or inexpensive! But it has been worth it. And the journey has been a lot of fun and I've made some good friends along the way.