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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 13, 2024 11:09:11 GMT
Posted by Paul McGowan PS Audio and reproduced here
Better than real?
There seems to be a riff circulating around that some folks don't like the sound of some equipment because it sounds too real.
"Not everyone wants real," goes their mantra.
On the other side of the coin are those who would put forth the notion that real is the Holy Grail. That the problem is not too real but rather we're not real enough.
I am not sure how the same set of facts can generate such wildly different opinions.
But then, we live in a world where that seems rather commonplace: climate advocates, climate deniers (same climate). Too real, not real enough (same equipment).
Those of us in the middle are simply hoping to enjoy the music.
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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2024 11:45:34 GMT
I've consistently said I want my system to closely reproduce what's on the master tape. It may sound real or unreal, but the closest fidelity to that recording is my goal.
Of course, if the recording is acoustic (e.g. solo instrument, quartet or orchestra), it's easier to judge that fidelity against personal experience of concerts. The closer that sounds to real, the better studio recordings tend to sound, too.
I don't personally see a conflict, but then, to me, the above does not conflict.
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Post by orange55 on Feb 13, 2024 12:25:31 GMT
I agree with the “Master Tape” quote. Although I always use the term that I want it to sound as though I am “sat in the control room” listening as the producer would.
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Post by Tim on Feb 13, 2024 13:57:37 GMT
Those of us in the middle are simply hoping to enjoy the music. I'll go with that Mike, I'm quite content just enjoying the music  |
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Post by julesd68 on Feb 13, 2024 14:03:44 GMT
I don't know what the Master Tape will sound like but I do know what an orchestra or live band sounds like, so that's my approximate reference.
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Post by Slinger on Feb 13, 2024 14:49:46 GMT
I'm not bothered with the experts' vision of perfect sound quality beyond what I can afford. What I cannot afford is that eternal chase for one more iota of inky blackness. Telling the world how marvellous my system sounds only to identify a " problem" the very next week and have the " need" to improve it by purchasing something new in a never-ending cycle does not appeal to me. An " audiophile" can never have his (or her) perfect system all the while they are chasing something that will improve it. It's simple logic. By looking to improve it they are admitting it could be " better", where " better" is purely subjective, and the " best their system has ever sounded" lasts about a fortnight before it must be improved upon." SAD" as a certain rust-coloured ex-president might say. I want as much music - which is not necessarily an expression of their elusive SQ - as will make listening enjoyable, and fun. That means I'll never have the " best" system, but I'll always have one I love listening to, and one which my ears will be the final arbiter of, rather than graphs and tables. The amount of pure pleasure I get from my system(s) now is probably no different than I used to get from my little transistor radio, playing Radio London, or Radio Caroline 50+ years ago, and if that sounds impossible, you may care more about the impossible quest for perceived perfection than you do about the music itself, whether you realise it or not. Perhaps "a udio-addict" is a better description than " audiophile". Not that anyone here resembles my remarks in any way, obviously, and they're just one man's opinion after all.  |
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Post by John on Feb 13, 2024 15:18:38 GMT
I have a few thoughts on this There is no perfect system. Most systems are created based on our own personal bias, experience with music (this could be just based on your own system growth, being a musician. going to concerts or in most cases a collection of all this and more). In my case I would see it as my experiences with live music, playing the guitar, and my own personal hi-fi journey. I also think most of us are on a journey of discovering what we like, as Paul hints, perhaps we are audio-addicts. I have no issue seeing myself this way. I need my fix of music and sound. I don't really drink and I do not smoke so I need some vices . If my system plays up I get all moody. My girlfriend says I have two relationships one with her and one with music. So what is it I really want from my listening experience. I want to be wrapped up in the music when I listen to it, feeling emotionally involved. I want to just be able to tune into the music and just be present to what I am hearing, losing a sense of time and space, where it is only the music and myself. The trouble is I have no idea how I would describe that in terms of sound, but I know it when I hear it and for me it is addictive. |
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Post by MartinT on Feb 13, 2024 15:31:02 GMT
I also think most of us are on a journey of discovering what we like, as Paul hints, perhaps we are audio-addicts. I have no issue seeing myself this way. I need my fix of music and sound. I don't really drink and I do not smoke so I need some vices . That works for me. |
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Post by MikeMusic on Feb 13, 2024 17:15:53 GMT
I love hearing what has been coming forward in my system for a while now
Little noises and nurdling that hardly anyone in the world has heard
The intakes of breath, little noises on the instruments from being played
To me it is more music
"too real" comes from idiots and typical of trump and Johnson supporters
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