Minori,
That was a nice and well reasoned post. |
Hi Phusis,
Your description mirrors mine over a 20 year period of hearing and using various amplifiers. As you acknowledge, to each their own. At CES last year I listened extensively to the Pass Labs XS stack driving Marteen Coltrame Sumpremes. Impressive in a hifi sort of way but rather flat/dull with no vibrancy, emotion or life.In contrast to my impression some listeners there thought the sound was fanstatic. Folks just hear things differently.
Charles, |
Electroslacker,
I relate to your SS to tube transition, they just sound more natural and closer to live performers. This point was made vividly clear for me as I listen to live music in my home in my case a piano and the many live Venues I attend regularly. It just seems to be that solid-state is handicapped by its production of higher odd order distortion, it just makes instruments and human voices sound less real. There is a pervasive flatter leaner sound that just sounds incomplete to me, I know others have different experiences but these are mine. To use a food analogy, solid-state seems to present a more lite presentation where as tubes if designed properly deliver the entire sonic harmonic scope and picture in other words just more natural with the key ingredients intact. SS comes off as artificially processed by comparison. This debate will go on foreverer I recognize. |
Hi Csontos,
I believe you and others who say they hear the desirable attributes I described for tubes in SS, personally I have not. I admit my impressions aren't universally shared. I have heard good SS amps sound better than a number of tube amps. I am comparing the best examples I have heard from each camp. So far the high quality tube amps win the realism/natural title. Totally subjective of course but that is what I consistently hear. I appreciate Your different perspective. |
Electro slacker,
Well stated, when the musical listening experience is emotionally involving and realistic, the mental checklist is erased and you just sit there and get involved and engaged with the music. You express the gist of this contrasting experience well. There becomes no need or desire to have an analytical approach, just relax and enjoy. A different body response is evoked and it feels right, no mental dissection needed when the sound is more natural.
Charles, |
I would encourage any one to listen to any component they have an interest in obtaining or if just curious. This is an open forum and we're all just sharing our various experiences. I personally don't view listening to music as a scientific exercise.Over the years I've
heard many components and systems and as a result have formed opinions based on that. Other people may have their own way of judging what they hear and reaching conclusions. There's no one correct way (and all else is wrong)to go about this. Listen and note how you react and respond. It will be a bit different for each of us(as would be expected). when the the sound/ music reproduction is right, you'll know it. No one will have to direct your or influence your natural reactions. You don't have to justify what you like(or why you like what you like), just enjoy what you've found. I know what has consistently worked for me and has been the more satisfying emotionally. If it's different for someone else that perfectly fine. In my case, analytical method doesn't work. I must be moved and drawn into the music, I operate on emotion and spontaneous involvement.
Charles, |
I don't recall anyone claiming "perfect" synergy or aystem that sound 100% live. I will say that my current system composition brings me closer to the live sound and feel that I crave. People are into audio for various reasons and different objectives. I was involved in music(played the trumpet) and attende live jazz before I discovered High End audio. So my goals may be different from what others want or need. I simply wanted to own components that get me as close to a natural sound as I could managed to do. I'm very happy with what I have now and enjoy my music immensely.
No doubt other folks are into audio for different reasons and are more into the components themselves. That could be the majority on this site, but that has nothing to do with me and those with similar objectives. I'll assume that people are into High End for a multitude of reasons. I am very glad I was able to find components that increase the joy of listening to music. I could be in the minority on this forum, but I'd think others share my same desire. It's a big world. |
Hi Dinster,
My listening experiences at jazz venues are very different from yours. I'd say 75-80% of the time the sound is unamplified(just pure and natural). The consistent chracteristic is how full bodied,warm, rich and colorful/vivid the various instruments sound.The bite and power are present but no sharp edges. Most audio components err towards leaner,thinner and flat(missing the bloom heard live). As you say(and I agree), to each their own. |
Tubegroover,
Agree,, I see his point if listening to loud pop/rock via a PA set up. Live acoustic instruments without PA or speakers in use, no way, at least for me. As you say, you're drawn directly into the performance. |
