"Trickle up" theory

My theory on why some high-end equipment doesn't "get the music right" has nothing to do with the equipment itself, but where that equipment is located.

Rarely have I seen high-end equipment located in an environment that is truely comfortable. I mean, high-end equipment is expensive, and is usually arranged to be shown off. Surrounded by equally exquisite furniture. Set up for a "sweet spot". Perfect. Stuffy. Boring.

But take my friend "Jeff". Jeff is still using the same Technics turntable, Boston Acoustic speakers, and Onkyo receiver that I helped him pick out in High School ('87 I believe). His system is set up in the corner of his unfinished basement. His speakers are asymetrically arranged up on cinder blocks (there is no "sweet spot"). His speaker cable is about the thickness of dental floss. He's got a couple of thrift store chairs set up in no particularly way. I think there is a lamp, but I know there is always incense burning and a longneck Budweiser being offered. Matter of fact, his foam baffles are cracking on his speakers. But...

I can listen to music on his system for hours without wondering if the soundstage is too forward, if the amp is tranparent enough, or if he would be better served by a seperate DAC and transport rather than the $90 Sony CD player he's using.

The only thing that goes through my mind are things like, "Damn...that Neil Young LP is amazing!!!" and "You're right...they do sound influenced by the Velvet Underground."

Maybe we need to listen to more music while lying on the floor, studying the LP cover like we used to "back in the day." Grab some cinder blocks. Time to run down to the 7-11 to grab a 6-er of Bud.

Great post, Nrenter. Why do you think it is that you have that experience at Jeff's? And do you ever have it at your place?

Tried to be somewhat light-spirited and “jestful” while still making what I consider a salient point and tried to indicate so by placing several :-)’s but you’ve obviously taken things very personally given your personally pointed response. As such, I will say:

1) I'll wager you've never heard a Spacedeck. Clearly you haven't based on your discussion of "timing" which the 'Nots do exceedingly well (try timing one), while I have heard more than one Lenco.

2) You've made a point to avoid the belt-drive vs. idler wheel-drive debate? Please.

3) When you say the following "I anticipated your type when I wrote ..", you really say it all and expose yourself fully.

My type? - you don't have a clue what my "type" is, especially based on the little I've written here regarding stuff I've built (successes and failures). I may well have begun in this hobby before you were a glimmer and may well have put together more lower priced table and arm combos in my day than you can imagine. But, you'll never truly find out since you’ve already determined "my type". If you ever saw the stuff in my music room you'd quickly realize just how off-base you are. Is my Spacedeck, end all? Certainly not. Could its performance be approached by something cheaper? Always the possibility. OTOH, it gives me the performance I love at a price I think is reasonable and it doesn’t force me back to my days of fiddle farting around, which I don’t have the desire to do anymore. Having done so myself I would never discount anyone's ambition to do such, so please spare me your “stifling creativity” or “thwarting discussion” theory. While I encourage those with the inclination to tinker to go for it, I take umbrage at being denigrated for not doing so.

Have fun with your Lenco projects. I truly hope that these things work out for you and for others and that you will gain immense pleasure in listening to the music and gaining an added satisfaction of having built something yourself (perhaps many for the first time). In the end, however, it is ALL about the satisfaction derived - whether you've spent $50 or $5000. If you can get your kicks having spent less, fine, feel free to wear a smug smile, just don’t expect everyone to notice. End-o-rant! ;-)

NRenter sez:

"Maybe we need to listen to more music while lying on the floor, studying the LP cover like we used to "back in the day.""

I'll second the suggestion of a large dose of THAT! :-)

I second Nrenter's motion. I know my system is right when I can lie down on the couch, forget about the sweet spot, and listen to hours of albums. And oh, he's right about the beer too. Perhaps I have read too much of Art Dudley's stuff, Drubin, after all!