2. amps-preamps
  3. 1007616452

equipment sound bad?

I took one of my favorite recordings to a local shop and played it on huge $11,000 Martin Logans and huge Classe amps. My recording sounded "bad" on this setup, whereas I had always enjoyed it before and I think I know why. Because the system was so transparent, had so little coloration of its own, it revealed more accurately that the recording itself was not very good. I don't think there was a problem with the room, the components or the speakers. OK, the room did have some strong rear wall reflections, but for the sake of discussion, let's say that the system was near perfect.

So, here's proposition #1 - we audiophiles have devoted our souls to searching for better and better sound reproduction only to find that when we get there, it can be a less than satisfying experience. Ironically, we wouldn't know how bad the recording was if we had a more mediocre system. Is this our reward for the pursuit of aural perfection?

Proposition #2 - it's all about perception. What sounds great to you might sound bad to me. Should we pursue the most musical systems instead of the most technically accurate?
dancarne

Showing 1 response by jjwinterberg

jjwinterberg
45 posts
 
This is a very thought provoking thread and made me think about what I looked for when desiging my setup. I tried very hard to create a system design that reproduced the tonality of live instruments I was very familiar with. I used mostly solo instrumental pieces but also compared the sound with vocals from performers I had seen live.

When I was done I also found that there were recordings that I had to come to a new appreciation for. I also found that I had a very low tolerance for highly produced recordings. But I think I enjoy hearing vocals and instruments sound as close to the way they really do.

I guess there is one more point, I find that while tonality can be mostly controled by good equipment selection; imaging is a very finicky characteristic. Imaging is so room dependant that I find when I go and listen to other systems it is the spatial imaging that I find so much more intriguing and makes me want to go and tweek some more.

John
More to discover