@kevemaher No worries- happy to help if I can.
If Warmth Is a Distortion, Why Do So Many Audiophiles Still Defend It?
Hi everyone, this is my first post here. If it stirs some emotions — that’s not a bad thing. It means we’re all still passionate about this hobby.
As AI becomes capable of recreating any sound signature — warm, tube-like, analogue, ultra-wide, hyper-detailed, and everything in between — I’m starting to think the real future of audio lies in neutral, transparent, dynamic, and accurate hardware, while many of the “flavours” we chase may soon become software choices.
Over time, a few things have stood out to me:
• Warmth is pleasant, but it’s still coloration.
Beautiful, yes — but not accuracy, not transparency, and not always the artist’s intention.
• Warm gear enhances some tracks but softens accuracy in others.
Especially vocals, piano, violin, guitar, and other acoustic instruments. Some people hear this, some don’t, and some just prefer it that way.
• Modern Class D deserves more respect than it gets.
Many older audiophiles dismiss it based on outdated assumptions. But the latest designs are already extremely neutral, fast, and precise. I’m not sure how much longer Class A/AB will remain relevant beyond nostalgia and brand loyalty.
• Price reflects real quality only up to a point.
Beyond that, it becomes about branding, house sound, and personal bias. Preference is fine — but preference isn’t the same as absolute fidelity.
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⭐ Why I May Not Respond Immediately
This post is meant as a sharing of thoughts, not a debate I plan to defend point by point.
If I don’t reply right away, it’s because I’m taking time to read, think, and learn from others’ perspectives here.
Posting in good faith — looking forward to all views, supportive or critical.
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@daytrader ”Too long to read this over such a easily answered question. Cause it sounds good bro!🙄”
I think, the subject has now been pretty much exhausted. I have today been catching up with the tail end, and l now feel exhausted. My first hand experience with warming and distortion happened 50 years or so ago. I went to a Xmas late night shopping sale with a friend. We bought some really good LPs and decided to celebrate and have a hot curry in a restaurant. When sitting down l rested my carrier bag of records against the wall by the side of the chair. Yes warming is a distortion as l found out in a real life situation. I had lent my records bag against a radiator, hotter than a Madras curry. Most of the records l later found distorted, and warped! FACT! WARMING IS A DISTORTION |
I disagree with your initial premise. First, we have to set a reference. You have falsely set analytical precision and accuracy based on measurements as the reference, but that is not how music sounds. When I listen with my Benchmark DAC and Benchmark Amp, it does not sound like real, live, unamplified music from instruments or human voice. I don't know why, but based on my hearing, that is not the reference sound. It is for me not an accurate representation. The same is true for low-cost tube gear with some speakers - too soft - not like real instruments. Second, I once thought warm meant distortion - it does not. Warm is too general a term. IMO, a system can be warm and lack details, or be warm and have details. Distortion can lead to a warm sound or soft sound but lack details. I have come to realize that a system can be accurate, precise and warm (not bright). Great systems have details and sound warm and inviting, great soundstage from the included details, but warm, relaxed, just like live instruments. |
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- 205 posts total