Fidelity vs. Musicality...........Is there a tug of War?


I lean towards Musicality in systems.
ishkabibil

Showing 2 responses by ghdprentice

I have a highly analytical background, perhaps lIke many folks that take up high end audio. The attraction to analyze,  compare, and improve the easily heard sound quality characteristics is very high. So, as I learned I optimized the most obvious first: bass, details, overall tonal balance, imaging. It was enjoyable, no question. After about 35 years , I had a great “reference” system. It was not overly analytic… but showed off every detail on the soundstage, mastering… etc. Don’t get me wrong it played music, I stayed clear of harsh totally analytical systems.

But through season tickets to the symphony I realized something was missing: rhythm and pace, and real musicality. I turned and slowly swapped equipment until I have the system I have now, which is musical first. Although it has all the details, it is not as if details are in a spotlight. Had I purchased one of the tube amps I remember hearing 40 years ago I might have figured out musicality quicker and had more satisfying systems along the way… but I have enjoyed the journey.

So the short answer: Musicality!!!
@oregonpapa “When you go to a live, unamplified performance, of a small jazz group, or even a symphony orchestra, do you sit there and say to yourself ... "Oh my God! ... listen to that detail?"

Great way of putting it. That was actually one of my observations… I can hear incredible detail… the wall reflections nuance of the acoustic space… but they are not stuck in your face. 
Oregon Symphony… Oregon PaPa?