Getting the Hi-Fi Mojo Back

[Alex_UK]

I am not sure if I am alone, but a busy job, hectic family and the everyday pressures of life have meant that Hi-Fi has taken a bit of a back seat in recent month, even years. Music is still a massive part of my life and almost always on, but it is usually a Spotify playlist via Bluetooth in the kitchen, car or study, or the radio. I guess it has been the same with other hobbies over the years – I used to be very into photography, and this too waxes and wains.

Last week my wife had a chap over to look at some collectables from her father’s estate, and it turned out he was also a vinyl dealer/enthusiast. We got chatting as you do, and it made me realise that I do actually miss playing my records, even CD’s. I also realised that I hardly ever play any albums from start to finish – nearly always just a playlist on random...

So how to get your Hi-Fi mojo back? I don’t think I need to start buying more kit (though that’s always an option!) but I have started playing the odd record when I get a chance, and revisiting full albums, even if just via FLAC rather than Spotify. Baby steps!

So have you been in the same position? What made you get back into your Hi-Fi, and perhaps more importantly - the music?

[Pigmy Pony]

Alex, I know exactly what you mean, most of my life has been made up of hobbies/interests that I take up, eventually get bored with, then return to at a later date. It's happened with judo, motorcycles, archery, as well as hifi.

This current run with hifi and music is the longest I've ever stuck with anything, and I largely put it down to the social aspect: conversing with other members on here, socialising with some of them out in the real world, and visiting hifi shows (even though I'm too poor to buy anything and too thick to build anything). I just know that if I were left on my own with it I'd soon get bored and move on to something else.

So my advice would be to get in amongst like-minded folk And if that doesn't work there's always stamp collecting or knitting

[Stranraer]

Stating the obvious here, but it's more about the music than the hifi for most I'd say.
Don't just play the same few favourite songs/albums till they become too familiar, search out new artists, bands and genres of music.
To my shame I'm actually listening to jazz (which covers a whole load of genres in itself) now. It's taken a while to get into but Bill Evans, Miles Davis, Pharoah Sanders, Keith Jarrett and many more are giving my boxes of tricks a whole new way to amaze and enjoy.
Hope you find what you're looking for.

[Barry]

Excellent thread Alex!

We have all been there with one passionate interest/hobby or another. For me it was travel and photography; the two were connected. Travel to parts foreign waned because:
(a) it became too expensive - in the past I would travel simply and cheaply and be quite content to use a sleeping bag; now I want the comfort of a decent bed and clean washing facilities.
(b) sadly many of the countries that I would have liked to visit are now either unsafe for tourists, or modernisation has spoilt the countryside and in some cases forced the relocation of minority indigenous peoples.

Loss of interest in photography, ironically occurred with the advent of digital. The latter was convenient but with it I lost my "eye" for composition. Maybe if I was to invest in a decent digital camera things might improve and I might regain my passion.

But going back to "Hi Fi", I don't think you need to buy any new gear (from what I recall, you already have a decent system). Keep listening to the radio, for inspiration, and keep a watch on the 'Spinning ...' threads to see what other Members here are enjoying. I always have a look and have been introduced to many fine artist(e)s/performers through it.

[AJSki2fly]

Hello Alex, good to hear from you again.

I lost my music/hifi mojo back in 2003. There were a number of reasons I suppose. In 2001 and 2002 we worked our arses off running a large Edwardian house in Devon as a Guest House and for 9 months of the year it was 10 to 12 hour days, nearly 7 days a week, so music listening was a rare event in the winter. We moved in 2003 and ended up with a more manageable B&B nearby, I had more time but became quite disspondent about digital music, some CDs I had sounded good, but quite few I found annoying one way or another, I had started listening to digital files at the time and that was pretty poor to be honest, so I just gave up, and focused on Cinema/film and surround sound which I and Sue both enjoyed together.

It was not until 2014 having moved again that I started listening to music proper, I made a few changes to the system and just used CDs initially. Then in 2016 my heart problems started and during my recovery a friend offered to sell me some of his LPs he was selling, so I was Back in the Black disc arena again after many years. Even with a used cheap Dual 504 TT I was enjoying listening again. A long time friend offered me his Pro-Ject Xperience II with Ortofon Rondo Blue for a silly price and it just got better. I was then off trawling the charity shops, hospicecare and 2nd hand stores locally, which was great fun and my black disc collection rapidly grew. I was very lucky and a few friends gave me their old record collections that had been languishing in lofts.

My Music Hifi/Mojo was fully re-ignited, and several more TTs came and went in the pursuit of better aural reception, and again my good friend came up trumps offering me his Marantz KI Pearl CD player. It is now nearly 9 years since my journey back began, and I am still loving it. I try and discover new music on my simple RPI/HiFiBerry streaming set up, sometimes used for casual listening, and if I find stuff I really like it usually results in a new LP purchase. I get a great deal of pleasure listening to my records now, and it helps me relax, I am not sure how much listening I will get in when Sue retires in 3 years time, but I can't see me not listening at least for a couple of hours a day.

[hifinutt]

fascinating to read of your journey Adrian in hospitality in Devon . Have you given it up now in Seaton ?

I guess many of us if babies come along or other responsibilities happen find it hard to get back into music . I find these forums stimulate me and the many FB groups i am on . and trying all the different equipment is brilliant .

[Macca]

I think it's the only hobby I ever had but been doing it continually since 1985.

Maybe there was a few years when I didn't play much music or buy any - a long time back now when I worked in sales and it just got too hectic.

Now listening and buying more music than ever. Got the old set-up well sorted now, sounds so good I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

I recommend doing a big upgrade - like get some serious kick-ass speakers - and you will get back into it again.

[Ali Tait]

Love of music been with me since I was small and has never left. I think the fact that I've often worked away from home made me appreciate the kit I have even more, always looked forward to getting home and putting a few tunes on.

[Alex_UK]

Thanks for all the replies chaps, interesting to read other experiences.

I suppose I’ve always been more about the music than the gear, although I have enjoyed playing with the kit and learning over the years. I guess it’s just become harder to find the time to actually devote all my attention and kick back and enjoy - definitely something to work on.

Martin’s idea of “some serious kick-ass speakers” currently my favourite suggestion!

[hifi_dave]

I began my Hi-Fi addiction back in 1962 when I assembled my first Hi-Fi system. Back then it was usual to build your own speakers, mine were Wharfedale, Also built a Mullard 5-10 amplifier and a cabinet to house the amp, AT6 turntable and Mullard tuner. Gave me a couple of years pleasure and then the bug bit.