Rediscovering the Joy of Music

Connecting to the Power of Music

Remember when you’d play the same album over and over? That one album that just did it for you—where you didn’t need to be in the mood because it was the mood. Music was the soundtrack to hours, weeks, even years of your life.

Music is personal for everyone. Ask anyone about their favorite football team, favorite color, or favorite movie—they’ll rattle off answers right away. But ask them their favorite album or artist, or what they think is the most important album of all time, and they’ll hesitate. Ironically, it’s often the audiophiles—those obsessed with perfect sound—who stumble the hardest when asked these questions.

As a musician, sharing music has been as important to me as playing it. There’s nothing like looking over at someone who’s hearing a song you love and seeing their face light up as they really get into the music, their daily stress melting away. It’s like their senses come alive—a pure, childlike joy, kind of like that first bite of sushi at a great restaurant or seeing an Ansel Adams print in person. This joy is worth sharing, and it’s a huge part of why people create audio gear in the first place: to bring that moment to life.

The Audiophile’s Paradox: Obsession vs. Enjoyment

There’s a difference when you hear something you’ve listened to for years suddenly come alive on a quality system—it’s like rediscovering the song. I’ve had friends and family say “wow” when a singer seems to materialize in the middle of the room, each note crisp and clear. My wife and I had this experience one night. We listened to a little bit of her collection of Neil Diamond and Harry Nilson. Then we moved on to the better options, and now every Sunday, we sit down together just to listen to music. Not to talk about the gear—just to hear the music.

But here’s the irony: so many audiophiles don’t really listen to music anymore. We end up in a loop, hearing the same few “reference” albums repeatedly, listening not to feel but to scrutinize, searching for the tiniest sonic differences. It’s like a science experiment where the goal isn’t enjoyment but analysis, a game of “Where’s Waldo?” where we’re missing the forest for the trees.

Audiophile communities often don’t make it easy to get back to that core of music enjoyment, either. Forums can be unwelcoming; they’re filled with debates and strong opinions that don’t always help newcomers find their footing. Learning from others’ experience can be valuable, but sometimes it feels like navigating an obstacle course instead of joining a community of people who just love music.

Reconnecting with the Joy of Music

When I hear a system set up right, I want to run outside, grab the first person I see, and tell them to come listen. I want to play their favorite song and show them the magic—that moment when the singer appears in the room and you can feel the weight of the instruments around you. The guitar resonates from the right, the drums come alive from six feet behind the speakers, and the vocalist’s voice fills the center stage—it’s a whole experience, and it’s electric.

But instead, we often tell newcomers to grab copies of Rumors or Norah Jones, listen to them on repeat, and come back after spending a small fortune on gear.

For me, audio and music are irreparable. To keep the love of music alive, I’ve adopted a few “rules.” I avoid forums unless I’m looking for specific advice. I listen to reviewers who talk more about music than gear, like Darko. Most importantly, I trust my ears and listen widely. I don’t want to be stuck on the same ten records.

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” - Rita Mae Brown

Listen to music. Trust your ears. And remember why you loved music in the first place. Discover new music, go to a record store, and talk to people. Those people have the music. You have the HiFi. Just become friends.