Critical listening and altered states

I knew my acoustical optimization of my AKG K340 hibryd was done well when i cranked up the highs  with tone controls and equalization because the violin sound  was enebriating like an angelic silk thread...

 If a system dont gave enough bass or beautiful highs and medium  as natureal as possible the timbre of instrument, non amplified as amplified is distorted...

it is because of this acoustical stress that often people pick their gear piece upgrade to compensate, or some albums in spite of others less easy and natural to listen to...

The gear pieces design quality and synergy cannot be replaced  but only compensated by acoustics controls, mechanical one mainly in my case and also equalization and tone control.

But on the other hand no piece of gear can replace acoustic control impact to gain natural timbre and sound spatial characteristics...

On the other hand, I can think of at least one pretty persistent irritant for what I believe to be timbre issue, and that is massed violins, I’ve yet to experience a fully natural presentation/timbre via digital, vinyl reproduction sounds more like the real thing although digital has continually evolved here.

@sns  I can think of at least one pretty persistent irritant for what I believe to be timbre issue, and that is massed violins

Glad you mentioned that. It has become my first reference point for judging a system's (and recording's) quality. So often, they are just a blur.

We would understand each other well , we had done similar things using different paths and solutions for different system in completely different room, but  we know the importance of acoustics control...

I  had used in a smaller room than you a big grid of distributed and localized Helmholtz resonators  (The cheapest one to experiment)...

 Schumann generators, which i used till today in my new system (only 2), are cherres on a cake...Positioning them is key...

They gave an "aura" to the sound volume in space and make the soundstaging more fluid...it was evident in my first dedicated larger room, when i put them off  one by one the "aura" vacillate and disappeared...

To reiterate, maximizing sound staging, imaging is extremely important for my ability to easily enter higher levels of ASC, immersion into the sound field meaning stimuli emanating from behind listening position is key.

@newton_john 

Even just listening to music for some people is sufficient to induce altered states of consciousness. No stimulants are needed.

Sure. Perhaps I misunderstand, but it seems to me, this would be evident to most here. Isn’t this, after all,why music lovers listen? 

Musical absorption is being in altered states of consciousness. As I posted above in the words of AI.

OK, but there are many flavors of altered states.

@hilde45 

"Small doses" was actually what I meant by "precise".  I never assumed you were talking about getting wasted. Having read your posts for years, that never occurred to me. 

@mahgister 

Thanks for expanding on the topic of "perception as a creative act". 

Now, another question:

I knew my acoustical optimization of my AKG K340 hibryd was done well when i cranked up the highs  with tone controls and equalization because the violin sound  was enebriating like an angelic silk thread..

I’m confused. I know you are as aware as I am that a violin, in person, can sound very strident -- quite the opposite of "angelic".  So, why offer this as evidence of having optimized your headphones "well"? 

I’d just like to say, I find this thread a very stimulating discussion. Much more interesting than talking about gear, although I recognize that has its place. 

Been in there long enough for kitty, too.... ;)