System versus live


To sound live, I have tried, in building my system, to get so many things correct. Dynamic range, Prat, Tone, Coherence, Body, Weight, Visceral momentum, Spatial perspective, etc. I remember being on a ferry ride, listening to a small ensemble, amazed at the beauty and artistry of the musicianship, along with the proper "air" of how the notes started and stopped, and being so engulfed in the performance. I have been on and near performers on stage, with the same amazement. My system touches on all of these things, but it is not "live". Before the system, room and listening position, one must consider the recording itself. Microphones, mic preamps, console faders, acoustics used for the recording, and a whole lot more. Then we have the monitors used for the final product(headphones or speakers) and the engineer(s) who put it together. Then, it is transferred and transferred again. Labels such as Mapleshade and Sheffield Labs(I just happen to have many)go to great lengths to minimize the "electronics", as well as some other aspects, of their recordings, to sound live and pure. Being a member of Audiogon, as well as some other forums, and, being a devoted audiophile, music listener, consultant and above all else, a human being, I ask this question. How "live" do you think your system really is ?
mrdecibel

Showing 1 response by zmanastronomy

I don't think live can ever be achieved. I'm as close as I've ever been and still fall very short.
I went with a FRD with no cross over in the 10 inch driver and it took me closer.
My room is well treated and I've biased my Almarro amp a little hot to achieve more dynamics and more trancient attack, but, as good as it sounds, it's still not close.
Maybe if I did achieve a live sound I would be disapointed.
But I don't think I'll ever come close.