I'd never even attempt, to do it at level I'd want would be so costly!
Walk-in soundstage
Coupled with his Weiss DAC 204 and T+A DAC 200, Mr. Steve Huff claimed to have experienced the so-called "walk-in soundstage" when using the Lumin U2 as the streaming transporter. This refers to a deeply immersive, three-dimensional stereo image where the listener perceives the musical space as so realistic and spacious that it feels as if one could physically walk into the soundstage.
This level of presentation is notably different from the more common “layered” sound field that many average listeners or reviewers report—where the sound is merely projected in front of the listener with some layering or spatial envelopment.
I'm curious how many of you have also experienced this effect in your own systems and listening spaces. If you're open to sharing, I'd love to hear about the components and setup that helped you achieve it.
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- 74 posts total
100% positive. Yes, a walk-in soundstage is indeed >/= 90% room and speakers. The majority of the remaining 10% or so is the amplification. I’ve heard enough $60K+ digital front ends paired with six figure speakers in enough rooms to know that the front end accounts for nearly zero of the effect, because many of those systems failed to produce said effect. Money ≠ equal performance when it comes to digital components. It did once upon a time, but not these days. Ask yourself, how many times have you supplemented a $300 DAC for a five figure DAC in a six figure system? Unlike most if not all fans of Steve Puff, I’ve actually tried similar experiments and the sound didn’t change a lick. Thing is, if you really want and expect to experience a life altering improvement, you likely will, at least, initially. That’s the same condition that afflicts Mr. Huff, unfortunately, he hears what he wants to, until the next flavor-of-the-month arrives at his doorstep. But hey, the guy also thinks he can communicate with the ghost of Michael Jackson, so…
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Do you get the walk-in (or walk round) effect on 5-channel DSD playback, and/or DSD 2-channel playback and/or CD playback from that disk? My experience suggests that with decent speakers, all three formats will produce a walk-round sound-stage though it is more obvious with surround sound! |
@richardbrand Well, I don't have a surround sound system, just your basic two channel, but this recording gives me the feeling at times like I'm in the orchestra, almost like I have a seat in it, and depending on where I look(turn my head), I can distinguish a particular instrument. Some years ago, I went to see Gidon Kremer at Symphony Center in Chicago, a sort of last minute thing where we checked the box office just before the concert for any return seats and we ended up with front row, near center. Amazing perspective that I never experienced before. When Gidon came out on stage, he stood right in front of us. The sound of his violin,not to mention the rest of the CSO, with us, being below the orchestra gave this uncanny ability to listen to specific musicians in a way that surprised us. I used to think that it would have been a terrible seat, but turned out to be a new refreshing experience, also considering that the row , 2nd, right behind us were considerably more expensive and would not have been any better, outside of maybe less strain on your neck. |
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