If Warmth Is a Distortion, Why Do So Many Audiophiles Still Defend It?

Systems are groupings of components. With that come purely technical/electrical interactions and subjective/ flavour interactions. Like a recipe, the blend of ingredients affects the final flavour.

Many people want a ’warm’ sounding component somewhere due to the present sonic flavour of their system being threadbare, bleached, bright, harsh. In other words applying a sonic bandaid to an objectionable result. This can be just what the doctor ordered in that instance or perhaps adding another problem with trade-offs of its own.

The system works best and optimally when there is an even balance of virtues across the entire chain. Not one component doing the heavy lifting but all of them working well together electrically and sonically.

Exceptional source components tend to make life easier on the rest of the chain by bringing a full bag of virtues with little to nothing in the deficit column to the playing field. Many many systems are attempting to compensate for a relative lack of balance and capability at the source component. Even halfway decent amps and speakers benefit from a very strong source component. 

I've found that the listening room and listening location have a huge impact on whether a system is "warm" or "cold".

I moved my acoustic traps around to see how their location alters the frequency response (see my system in the  Virtual Systems - the locations pictured are one optimum).

After fiddling for a while, I noticed that the better (flatter FR) locations had a dip from 40 to 300 Hz. The sound was "cold".

I flattened the frequency response (with assistance from my graphic EQ (GEQ) and REW) to +/- 5dB. Still on the cold side for me.

I re-adjusted my GEQ to gently boost these frequencies and to provide roughly a -1.8 dB/octave slope from 80 Hz upward (with help again from REW). The sound was "warm" and just as I like it.

One can achieve similar effects using digital filters although they must be used carefully. Calling for a lot of gain can cause railing (as can for GEQs). 

The lesson for me is that location and sound absorption/scattering effects are much more important than contributions from individual components.

If one were willing to insert analog or digital filters into the system, then one could alter the system FR to one's taste. Within limits, of course.

Everyone’s tastes are different.  Some like blondes, others brunettes.

There is no wrong answer in this hobby.  After all it’s art we are all listening to.  A Monet painting is no less beautiful than a high res photograph.

All that matters is the emotional reaction you get.

it was my experience too. People generally  had no idea of the power of  acoustics. In my case i used a grid of tuned mechanical resonators (Helmholtz) to tune my room  but we can use digital processing...

I've found that the listening room and listening location have a huge impact on whether a system is "warm" or "cold".

I moved my acoustic traps around to see how their location alters the frequency response (see my system in the  Virtual Systems - the locations pictured are one optimum).

After fiddling for a while, I noticed that the better (flatter FR) locations had a dip from 40 to 300 Hz. The sound was "cold".

I flattened the frequency response (with assistance from my graphic EQ (GEQ) and REW) to +/- 5dB. Still on the cold side for me.

I re-adjusted my GEQ to gently boost these frequencies and to provide roughly a -1.8 dB/octave slope from 80 Hz upward (with help again from REW). The sound was "warm" and just as I like it.

One can achieve similar effects using digital filters although they must be used carefully. Calling for a lot of gain can cause railing (as can for GEQs). 

The lesson for me is that location and sound absorption/scattering effects are much more important than contributions from individual components.

If one were willing to insert analog or digital filters into the system, then one could alter the system FR to one's taste. Within limits, of course.

I listened to my Benchmark gear last weekend and I need to retract my last post listed above.  It sounded great.  I don't know what I was thinking when I wrote it since it does not reflect my reality.  The benchmark DAC has amazing detail, allowing me to hear the fine details of each instrument and nuances of vocals.  Over the years, it has brought me countless hours of enjoyment.  It is a great gear and Benchmark quickly answered any questions I had.  I will never sell it and am transitioning it to my headphone setup as I move things around, since it can do double duty as a headphone DAC and amp.  It is a great value.