contradictory communication

Transparency and neutrality to me are like describing Gwyneth Paltrow. She's got a cute face, but the rest of her is featureless. Sure you can see everything, but so what! Warmth to me is curvy and fiery like Sophia Loren. Gwyneth may have more detail in her skin, hair and eyelashes, but Sophia's curves and saucyness are the kind of detail I prefer. She may kick my ass and break my shifter off, but I'll enjoy dying in her warmth.

By the way, is this based on your experience or only what you've read.

Let's see, was Mrtennis using green power bait or nightcrawlers?

Personally, I don't think it's very important to come to some kind of concensus regarding audio descriptives. Despite the disparate interpretations of audio jargon I've rarely been surprised when buying equipment on Audiogon based on the discussions here. I think the key is to not search using descriptions in the absolute sense, but to use them more in relative terms when comparing components.

Mrtennis, I like discussion threads where people compare the sonics of say amp A relative to amp B. Not really judging good or bad, but just how they differ sonically keeping in mind what they were matched with at the time. I think we people that read these discussions keep running tabs of the comparisons and form our opinions over the long term.

It's funny, because after participating in a few threads about the subject of sonic descriptive terms in the last month or so, it seems my definitions and understanding of these terms doesn't seem to jibe with the majority. Yet, I still end up with what I expected. Funny and odd.

Mr. Schroeder I like the way you use "translucency" to describe your system. I've definitely colored my system in a way appealing to me. For me, like most things in art and life for that matter, the imperfections are what make things fun and interesting.