Blue Pill / Red Pill

[kratu]

I am in the middle of the journey.

Some months ago, someone got me a B&O A9 5th Gen. And since, it has been my main system. My stereo gets used very selectively. Sound is unbelievably clean, large and organic. So life like. Really highend DSP and bass linerazation software built.It can rival with many high end system. It can't do stereo, unless you buy two which will is 6-7 lakhs for a stereo pair.

If I had listened to this speaker earlier, I would have never delved into the Red Pill. This setup has ease, simplicity and you listen to music and your critical mind just stays mute.You can sit anywhere, it's always on, you can listen to more music than gears. I have rediscovered so much music with this while I am always searching for audiophile tracks to test my stereo and see how much it can bring to the table.

I have started to question my madness but it is what it is.

If someone is starting today and 7 lakhs, I would strongly advised to check this out.

That's a beautiful thought and equally gorgeous speakers. It feels like I'd gladly take the blue pill and stay in the wonderland with these speakers. It feels innovative and deceptively simple that you would not want to go that rabbit hole. Whatever amusements it might have.

 

[Fiftyfifty]

I'll double click on the Red pill any day.

In many ways, the audio journey is similar to the motorcycle journey in Robert Prisig's 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance'. It's a quest for quality, for excellence, for finding value through the search. Though "the only zen you will find at the top of a mountain is the zen you brought up"

Must read the book again!

 

[kartick]

I feel life makes you find out about these two pills at different point of times. When you are young and broke, there is no choice but to take the RED PILL. The pill has great effect on you and you discover so much new music never once thinking about sound quality. You never bother!

As you grow and get more money in life, your horizons grow and you get to know there is a BLUE PILL which you can take. Some take it and find it hard to take it out of their system. That is when they become audiophiles. The addiction is too strong for some and they happily stay under the influence.

Some, and that includes me, continue to take both pills as both addictions are damn sweet. I am "BI-PILLAR". Can switch from RED to BLUE at will and quite fast and am very happy that ways. I like both the highs.

RED Pills for house parties, car rides, earphones.
BLUE Pills for solitary gratification.

Cheers!!

 

[Hari Iyer]

First decide whether you are a "Music Lover" or an "Audiophile". Mind you both are not the same. If you are the former then eat the Blue Pill if the later then the Red Pill.

 

[sachinchavan 15865]

First decide whether you are a "Music Lover" or an "Audiophile". Mind you both are not the same. If you are the former then eat the Blue Pill if the later then the Red Pill.

Most of us I believe, barring exceptions (who usually end up being DIYers like you, Hari) are Music Lovers by intrinsic nature and Audiophiles by imitation/aspiration.

 

[arj]

There is no audiophile possible if you do not have a music lover in you !

 

[essrand]

This is a hobby, no point about complaining about spent money and time. That’s the definition of a hobby, why do it if you don’t get pleasure or flow out of it. That’s what I been thinking recently.

True, being an audiophile in India is an exercise in pure masochism, and it is far more pleasurable abroad, and I feel burnt out from the effort of buying or selling audio gear in India, which is mostly pure torture.

But still, from my side, I wish I had taken 3-4 red pills diven deeper and been more courageous about grabbing some gear sooner instead of tire kicking, especially before the pandemic hit and audio gear became scarce or spiked in price big time or become unobtainium.

 

[Hari Iyer]

There is no audiophile possible if you do not have a music lover in you !

My definition of a music lover is - a person who enjoys listening music of his choice even with distractions even in a ₹100/- headphone or mobile speakers for hours together or while walking or cooking.

An audiophile/ critical listener is the one who does not have a choice of music but of the recording, don’t entertain any distractions while listening even the fan spinning above his head at the expense of sweating and will yearn for a highest end gear as per his budget - preferably exotic and wierd unheard brands and usually prefer to listen during late night when ambient noise is low, or the power supply is less noisy and he is all alone.

Depending upon which category you fall the blue Pill or red Pill shall apply. You can transition from blue Pill to red Pill and vice versa depending upon your budget, age, mood, ego and malt intake.

 

[arj]

My definition of a music lover is - a person who enjoys listening music of his choice even with distractions even in a ₹100/- headphone or mobile speakers for hours together or while walking or cooking.

An audiophile/ critical listener is the one who does not have a choice of music but of the recording, don’t entertain any distractions while listening even the fan spinning above his head at the expense of sweating and will yearn for a highest end gear as per his budget - preferably exotic and wierd unheard brands and usually prefer to listen during late night when ambient noise is low, or the power supply is less noisy and he is all alone.

Depending upon which category you fall the blue Pill or red Pill shall apply. You can transition from blue Pill to red Pill and vice versa depending upon your budget, age, mood, ego and malt intake.

Why would anyone who is not a music lover become an audiophile ?
We are complicating something very simple as in everything there are always a small subsection who go deeper and deeper into anything . As a food analogy there are those who like food and then there are those who go into details of how it is cooked where the ingredients are sourced from etc etc. always a minority.

 

[Hari Iyer]

Why would anyone who is not a music lover become an audiophile ?
We are complicating something very simple as in everything there are always a small subsection who go deeper and deeper into anything as a food analogy those who like food and then there are those who go into details of how it is cooked where the ingredients are sourced from etc etc. always a minority.

Alright!

 

[kratu]

Let's say there are rules. It wouldn't be really a choice if you can take both at the same time, would it be? and you certainly can't overdose, sorry. Now the stakes are high. Apart from the erosion of bank balance, there is spousal disharmony to consider.

Where do you draw the line and say this is where it stops? Can we really be content with the blue pill and say no more red pill? or continue with deeper with serious costs?

As an extreme example, is there a point in having 1cr+ system and live in 250sqft room where one has to move the couch to open the fridge?

 

[Sushant Sharma]

I have a musician friend who's a bit older and generally very wise with his advise. He"s not into audio but has worked in building stages for concerts and has seen musical acts live that I'd give a kidney to watch in the flesh.

Every time I fret with my audio choices and expenses incurred, he tells me to relax and enjoy the ride citing a few reasons like... it brings you joy...people spend way more on cars and tools and drugs and buying property and owning material possessions of all kinds and so many other addictions that are negative.

Added to it is the fact that I spend time with my audio, it's not a fleeting thing.

In hindsight, I'd buy a lesser car than the one I have and a better music system. I dont like cars as much as i like audio.

Truth is I take solace in the fact that I don't pursue many other leisurely pursuits. In a way, this bit all of us mad bunch do, has become something very integral to my life. If you took all my audio possessions away i"d be a bit lost. I'd be remiss if I didn't add that I beat myself from time to time on the resources I spend on this hobby (time and money both) but I am making an effort to be kind to myself. It's very important to be kind to yourself and not go too hard on oneself. Something I am still learning.

 

[mbhangui]

Why would anyone who is not a music lover become an audiophile ?
We are complicating something very simple as in everything there are always a small subsection who go deeper and deeper into anything as a food analogy those who like food and then there are those who go into details of how it is cooked where the ingredients are sourced from etc etc. always a minority.

It is very much possible. I'm one such example. I have been always fascinated by physics, especially electricity and magnetism. This hobby of mine culminated in learning electronics. I would make speakers from Pan Parag tin container, transistor radio, radio transmitters, repair all electrical stuff that went bad in the house. All starting at age of 10 onwards. After making a transistor radio (I think at 14 years age), I started making amplifiers. I didn't care a damn about music. I started appreciating music only probably in my 30s and that too strictly limited to Pre 80 bollywood songs, rock bands like deep purple, scorpions, AC/DC, Rainbows. Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, Rolling Stone, etc. It is mostly like Hari says. I switch off lights. I don't tolerate any sound coming from the AMP other than Music. Listen late night when everyone is sleeping. I have my own room. No one is allowed to enter it when I'm listening. It is primarily love for how electrons flow from one end to another and finally making sound in the speaker. I love equipments, love DIY and primarily because the whole science behind this is fascinating. Music is just fodder.

 

[arj]

It is very much possible. I'm one such example. I have been always fascinated by physics, especially electricity and magnetism. This hobby of mine culminated in learning electronics. I would make speakers from Pan Parag tin container, transistor radio, radio transmitters, repair all electrical stuff that went bad in the house. All starting at age of 10 onwards. After making a transistor radio (I think at 14 years age), I started making amplifiers. I didn't care a damn about music. I started appreciating music only probably in my 30s and that too strictly limited to Pre 80 bollywood songs, rock bands like deep purple, scorpions, AC/DC, Rainbows. Fleetwood Mac, The Doors, Rolling Stone, etc. It is mostly like Hari says. I switch off lights. I don't tolerate any sound coming from the AMP other than Music. Listen late night when everyone is sleeping. I have my own room. No one is allowed to enter it when I'm listening. It is primarily love for how electrons flow from one end to another and finally making sound in the speaker. I love equipments, love DIY and primarily because the whole science behind this is fascinating. Music is just fodder.

Interesting the way you put it. In the end do you only listen to music or anything else eg speeches, plays etc ? and if there were no Music would you still listen to your system ?

I have only , in the last 25 years met 1 other person who said the same thing so very intrigued. he loved listening to movie dialogues and feel the atmosphere more than watching the movie itself. But he dod not get into the hobby by itself.

 

[Analogous]

It’s possible that in our instinct to simplify, categorise, make sense of and classify everything we are over simplifying these motives for getting into this hobby
Audiophiles vs Musicophiles
Red pill vs Blue pills
Etc
There may be more reasons that lead people into this hobby? Some clearly defined, others not so clear or a mix of reasons.
Keeping up with the Kumars, peer pressure seems to play a part in many new home owners investing in elaborate dedicated spaces for home theatres that in many instances are used rarely (few hours a year in the case of one acquaintance)

 

[Analogous]

I recall something I heard Steve Guttenberg say in one of his reviews about a problem that audiophiles face.
This could be the disease that the red pill seeks to address (or causes)
He said (something like this) Audiophiles get bored with the sameness of sound more easily. Even if the sound from their systems is good or great, hearing the same sound character day after day makes them bored with it after a while and they get the urge to seek out other sonic experiences.
I can identify with this.

 

[techiegamer]

I actually own a sweatshirt that says, "I took the red pill." .
Such a unique post and very interesting replies from members. I was born an audiophile before I even knew what an audiophile is or if such a term even existed. I always enjoyed music at very high quality compared to people around me. I did not even get a chance to choose a blue pill . I did not have money, yet I always craved for good quality earphones and dreamed of owning one. Even after all these years, financial constraints still keep me miles behind those with high-end hi-fi systems. But within my budget, I do my best to enjoy high-quality music in whatever way I can. Sometimes, I see my friends happily enjoying their Boat headphones, raving about the amazing sound quality. And then, I’m reminded of this quote from The Matrix:
Neo : I can't go back, can I?
Morpheus : No. But if you could, would you really want to?
I’d rather spend my money on technology and stay poor as an audiophile than live in ignorance, unaware of the magic that music truly holds!

 

[techiegamer]

I have a musician friend who's a bit older and generally very wise with his advise. He"s not into audio but has worked in building stages for concerts and has seen musical acts live that I'd give a kidney to watch in the flesh.

Every time I fret with my audio choices and expenses incurred, he tells me to relax and enjoy the ride citing a few reasons like... it brings you joy...people spend way more on cars and tools and drugs and buying property and owning material possessions of all kinds and so many other addictions that are negative.

Added to it is the fact that I spend time with my audio, it's not a fleeting thing.

In hindsight, I'd buy a lesser car than the one I have and a better music system. I dont like cars as much as i like audio.

Truth is I take solace in the fact that I don't pursue many other leisurely pursuits. In a way, this bit all of us mad bunch do, has become something very integral to my life. If you took all my audio possessions away i"d be a bit lost. I'd be remiss if I didn't add that I beat myself from time to time on the resources I spend on this hobby (time and money both) but I am making an effort to be kind to myself. It's very important to be kind to yourself and not go too hard on oneself. Something I am still learning.

Well said!!

 

[bornfi]

Red pill, always..bhale hee biwi ke gehne girwi rakhne pade!

For me, what I hear from the tracks that I had been playing since childhood is just amazing and gratifying. It is difficult or rather impossible to understand and appreciate the complexity involved in these creative masterpieces without Red Pill.

 

[kratu]

It’s possible that in our instinct to simplify, categorise, make sense of and classify everything we are over simplifying these motives for getting into this hobby

More than classification, what I see is at the core is crossroad between two choices. A human condition where you have to decide between being content and stay put or venture out into unexplored territories, despite the costs. May be, also close is the conundrum of "Road Not Taken" by Robert Frost. Would you want to take the well trodden path or take an adventurous route?

I recall something I heard Steve Guttenberg say in one of his reviews about a problem that audiophiles face.
This could be the disease that the red pill seeks to address (or causes)
He said (something like this) Audiophiles get bored with the sameness of sound more easily. Even if the sound from their systems is good or great, hearing the same sound character day after day makes them bored with it after a while and they get the urge to seek out other sonic experiences.
I can identify with this.

What I also see is a remnant of fundamental flaw in humans which is eloquently encapsulated by the phrase "grass is always greener on the other side". May be this dopamine drive is essential for human survival and "sanity".