Free... At last!

[StevenSurprenant]

For years I was cursed with the audio disease. I scoured audio magazines reading the amazing stories of how pristine, how closer to nirvana each new iteration of audio gear came. I traveled the highways searching for audio shops that carried this miraculous gear, gear that the magazines promised to satisfy every nuance of my souls desires. Sometimes my search would lead to disappointment and at other times, I would be treated to a sound so soothing that my body would slump into a catatonic state and there I stayed, motionless, until the song ended and reality, once more,drifted into my conscientiousness. Quickly I would start another song and sink back in my chair to be subdued by this magic, but each time I did, the nirvana, the satisfaction, would take a little longer to mesmerize me. After a time, I would lift myself out of my chair confused, unsure of what I experienced and even more unsure of myself. I would wander around the store trying to clear my mind,trying to make sense of what I just experienced. Perhaps an hour would pass, maybe more, but eventually I would find my way to the door leading home knowing in my mind that the next issue of “Audio Whatever” would hold the answer to my seeming never ending search.


Years would pass, new gear would find it way onto my audio rack, and for a while each piece calmed my nerves and brought me a little closer to my minds eye of heaven, but never quite reaching it, and never for long. My search continued and my attempts were only moderated by my wallet. Five years would pass, then ten, followed by even more years. On some days, my stereo would assault me with the most horrific sound. It didn't make sense, but there it was, harsh and unbearable. Not caring how or why, I would grab my car keys and drive as quickly as possible the closest audio store with top of the line gear. After firing up their finest gear,it would only take a moment to realize that my gear sounded like it always did. It was me that changed, perhaps a mood or a state of mind, but whatever it was, it might just as well been real. Thankfully it would pass and the sweetness and purity would return to my ears.


When I wasn't listening or searching, I would spend my time on audio blog sites talking about it. Obsession is too mild of a word for what drove me, a better word would be fanaticism. As is the nature of any dedicated blog page, arguments ensued, names were called, and feelings were hurt, and often a foot or two would find its way to the pie hole. Most posters were good people, people that only wanted to talk about their common interest and perhaps help someone in the process. Then there were the“Others”, so absolute in their beliefs and opinions that nothing else mattered. Respect and dignity for others were of no importance, it was their “Duty” in life to make sure no-one stray off the path of what they they believed to be true. These people, even though their intentions might have been honorable, sucked the life and enjoyment out of the hobby with their never ending consternation. I suppose that's part of the trials and tribulations of any social endeavor, the price we pay.


All these years of searching, throwing money out the window on new gear, and listening to bigoted self righteous self appointed experts takes it toll. And still, after it's all said a done, the holy grail of audio still remains elusive.


I didn't come out of this empty handed. I have what I consider a very nice audio system and the years of pure bliss that came from the hopeful expectations of my search is irreplaceable. The joy that I received was not in the attainment of my quest, but rather from traveling the path towards that end. I have learned that the perfect system does not exist and even if it did, people like us will never be satisfied. Because of this epiphany, I have learned to enjoy and relish what I have and not lament about what could be.


Through all these years, fanatics, like myself, reached out to help me, guiding me through some crucial decisions, and no words can express the gratitude that I feel. All I can say is thank you, one and all, here at audioreview and throughout my travels.


With that said, I'm not going away and I do drop in from time to time.