Minimalist Hi-Fi and Music Discovery - Arsen Prosen

Music as a daily inspiration

For music enthusiast Arsen Prosen, music is not simply background sound, it is a daily source of energy, emotion and discovery. With a passion for electronic music and a carefully curated minimalist audio setup, Arsen has spent decades refining how he listens to and experiences music.

From childhood memories sparked by a television commercial to today’s digitally driven listening habits, his story reflects a lifelong fascination with sound, technology and the emotional power of music.

A childhood moment that sparked a passion

Arsen’s connection to music began early. At the age of seven, he became captivated by a television commercial for a winter fair that aired repeatedly. In the background was “Equinoxe, Part 5” by Jean-Michel Jarre.

The short musical fragment made a lasting impression. He recalls eagerly waiting for the commercial to appear again each day just to hear the track.

A few years later, another formative moment occurred while visiting a friend who had just installed a new stereo system. Compared with the simple boombox Arsen had at home, the experience of hearing music through a proper Hi-Fi system was transformative. From that point on, he knew that one day he wanted a serious music system of his own.

Listening habits: Music for every moment

Today, music remains a regular part of Arsen’s daily life. His preferred way of listening is through a dedicated stereo system in his living room, where music can be presented with clarity and presence.

A well-reproduced recording, he explains, can either evoke emotions or enhance the mood of the moment but the result is always positive.

Music accompanies him in other situations as well:

• During long drives

• While exercising

• While doing everyday household tasks

For more focused listening sessions, he often turns to headphones, which allow him to explore the details and nuances of a recording.

A lifelong love of electronic music

Electronic music has long been at the centre of Arsen’s musical tastes. His admiration for Jean-Michel Jarre continued into his teenage years, when he discovered the artist’s albums during high school and listened to them obsessively, particularly the Destination Docklands live recording.

Other formative listening experiences include Depeche Mode’s live album 101, which also left a strong impression.

Today, his playlists still lean heavily toward electronic genres, especially emotionally rich progressive house and trance tracks that balance atmosphere with energy.

Discovering new music in the digital age

Convenience plays an important role in Arsen’s listening habits. He prefers digital music formats, which allow him to maintain a clean and minimal living space without large collections of physical media.

Streaming services are his main source of discovery, particularly TIDAL, which he checks regularly for new releases. Recommendations from friends also help him uncover new artists and recordings.

Among his recent purchases are Turbulence by Nick Warren, an album connected to memories of listening to the DJ’s sets while working at sea on large tanker ships, and The Secret Language of Trees by producer BT, an atmospheric electronic album filled with intricate layers and instrumental detail.

Music that leaves a lasting emotional impact

Some pieces of music never lose their emotional power. For Arsen, one such track is “Offshore” by Chicane.

Whether in its original ambient form or the extended remix version, the instrumental piece evokes powerful reflections on moments that never happened and time that cannot be reclaimed. Even after many years of listening, it continues to resonate deeply.

Live music has also played a role in shaping his musical memories. One particularly unforgettable experience was seeing the Norwegian electronic duo Röyksopp perform in Rijeka, Croatia, inside an abandoned industrial complex. The combination of sound, lighting, atmosphere and audience created what he describes as a magical summer night.

A minimalist approach to Hi-Fi

Arsen’s audio philosophy centres on simplicity and quality. Rather than complex multi-channel setups, he prefers well-balanced stereo systems designed around a minimal number of components.

Across three listening spaces, his systems follow the same principle: digital playback through a Mac mini acting as a media centre. The computer runs Audirvana Studio software, which manages both locally stored music and streaming content.

When selecting amplifiers, one requirement is a high-quality built-in USB DAC to ensure clean digital playback.

Choosing loudspeakers for his first system presented a particular challenge. Because they had to be mounted on the wall, suitable options were limited. Discovering the DALI RUBICON LCR solved the problem, delivering both the mounting flexibility he needed and the sound quality he was looking for. The experience led him to equip his other listening spaces with DALI speakers as well.

A subwoofer was later added to the system, not out of necessity but to provide additional low-frequency impact when desired.