"Music has a unique way of moving me that no other experience in life can replicate. From a very young age, I knew instinctively that "music must be the thing I'm here to do." There was no denying the connection. It wasn't just a hobby or a passing phase—it was a calling, a purpose that defined me.

I love creating music as much as I love listening to it. For me, the two are inseparable aspects of the same journey. Ever since I started earning my own money, one of my top priorities has been to secure the best audio equipment I could afford. My listening experience matters to me because it's how I connect to the art, study it, and enjoy it to the fullest.

One of my first purchases after getting a job was a pair of high-quality closed-back headphones, specifically for the commute. I still look back on that period with a sense of nostalgia, as it was a formative, educational time in my life. Every day, I’d spend at least three hours with those headphones on, deeply immersed in music. I wasn't just a casual listener—I was decoding the songs, analyzing them, and focusing intensely on the parts that fascinated me. This habit sharpened my understanding of music, pushing me to explore its intricate layers and develop my own sound as a musician.

As I’ve grown older, my relationship with music has evolved. It’s no longer just about learning and decoding; it’s about feeling. The deeper I get into music, the more I realize how powerful the emotional connection can be. There’s something incredible about the way music resonates inside you, beyond the technical brilliance, tapping into pure emotion.

While I still appreciate a top-tier headphone experience—there’s a certain magic to the way it immerses you—I’ve come to prefer the sensation of feeling air move through a room from a high-quality set of speakers, driven by a well-matched amplifier. The tactile experience of sound waves enveloping you is something that headphones can’t quite replicate. There’s a physicality to it that deepens the connection with the music.

This week, I had the immense pleasure of trying out the Roksan Attessa Integrated Amplifier. Not only is it an aesthetically pleasing piece of equipment, but it’s also a powerhouse that pairs beautifully with my Monitor Audio Bookshelf speakers. After playing back the album masters for TesseracT’s War of Being through this setup, I was stunned. I heard things I hadn’t noticed since we were in the studio. Nuances, details, and subtleties emerged with an intensity and clarity that completely redefined the listening experience.

The vocals towards the end of Legion were more dominant than I’ve ever heard them. And the title track War of Being—that was an even bigger adventure. The intro alone made me feel as though I was witnessing a live performance, not sitting comfortably in my living room. The whole album was an experience, a journey that reignited my passion for listening in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

Of course, I’m a little biased, being in the band. But I challenge anyone to sit with this setup and not feel moved by the music they love. There were countless moments of frisson—those full-body tingles when music touches you on a level beyond words. It’s been a long time since I’ve sat down with such a well-designed amplifier, and the difference is undeniable. The clarity, the power, the emotional weight—it all feels heightened.

Music, after all, is a form of therapy. It heals, it uplifts, and it helps you through life’s toughest moments. For me, investing in the best possible listening experience is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity. It's an investment in my own well-being, one that pays back in moments of joy, reflection, and peace."