Critical Listening Training Document

Cmalak, I don't know how you did it, but thanks for fixing the link! Is there a way that I can edit my original post?

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/17725584/Critical%20Listening.pdf

I just ordered the book as well. This will be the first book I'll read on my iPad. How times are changing...

Cymbop,

I know what you mean. I was a drummer for many years, and always looked first to the bass line for integration. I found that when I was in sync with the bassist, the rest fell into place easily and then no one had to think anymore, as the music played us!

I remember being amazed to find out that in high-end audio, the lowest bass octaves, when reproduced accurately, added so much air around instruments and conveyed so much spatial information (often inaudible) about the recording venue or studio, especially with acoustic performances. Having twin REL subs in my system has made this phenomenon really apparent and very enjoyable!

You're very welcome, Anonymoustao. Here's an update on this document's history and future:

For 22 years, it was in a file with all my old owner's manuals, but I had not found it until recently, when I was looking for the original manual and brochure for my Thiel CS2s, which I put up for sale via an email to music-loving friends in our community.

Surprisingly, a 15 year old son of dear friends of ours responded, and came over for a demo of the speakers a few days ago. He had never seen an LP or turntable up close before and his jaw dropped when the first seconds of analogue, tube-driven music came to life in the room. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. We played LP after LP, until he was saturated with a new sense of what music can sound like. He is quite excited.

I did tell him that the Thiels would not sound quite like this in his house, but that I would come voice his room with him and over time, help him pick out components through Audiogon that would sound great with these wonderful speakers.

He's coming over tomorrow with his Mom to pick them up. She said to me after he got home from the demo, "I hope you know he'll never be the same again... and that sounds expensive!" Yup, right on both counts, my friend.

He doesn't know it yet, but he's getting a copy of this Critical Listening document. Peter Cuddy's legacy will live on in this young man until one day, he passes it on to another wide-eyed kid who is ready to discover the wonders of music through high-end audio.

I know, Isochronism, it was a tough call... should there be an "age of consent" for underage audiophiles?

I like Anonymoustao's take on it: that is, indeed, one auspicious beginning for a 15 year old.

As for me, it's totally selfish – I feel good that my beloved Thiels will be appreciated for years to come, and that as his knowledge (and expenses) grow, he will remember his first audiophile epiphany fondly.

Judsauce, Thanks! A great post from a kindred spirit. That hypnotic groove machine zone is an indescribable state of musical nirvana for musicians. How lucky are we to have experienced that in this life, huh?

Dpac996, #25 is the punch-line to this crazy audiophile life we lead. Last night, my wife and I were casually listening to all kinds of vinyl as my new KT88 tubes were burning in on my amp (only have 4 hours on them so far, and I won't do any critical listening until they hit 100). The music sounded wonderful, even at low volume. We were enjoying ourselves thoroughly, both reading (she's reading a novel on her iPad and I was absorbed in the latest issue of TAS) and completely relaxed, exempt from the rigors of critical listening until the tubes are cooked.

I have a lot of LPs. One record that I haven't heard since before my major system upgrade is the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack from "The Mission" by Ennio Morricone. I forgot how much I love this piece, especially side two. It has everything, sweeping orchestral arrangements punctuated with masterful drumming, both classical and indigenous, and soaring sopranos warning the missionaries of their upcoming trouble.

I'm telling you all this because we were in #25 land for hours, completely open, relaxed and not listening to the gear (which had disappeared anyway) but allowing the music to wash over us. Then, in the latter part of side two, in the midst of a quiet, contemplative passage, a tympanist showed up in our living room and practically blasted us off the couch with a single beat of that enormous drum. Like I said, I hadn't played this for a long time.

I believe that not being in Critical Listening mode allowed us to be surprised by the sheer power of that experience, both noting how we felt the music reaching us and having its way with us... and delaying, albeit not for very long, my need to comment, compare and analyze the reproduction. In that delay lies the magic of musical appreciation... when you're not trying to capture the experience with thoughts and words (to be shared on A'gon, maybe?).

And yes, even at low, WAF approved volume, that first single beat of the tympani (I believe he was using soft mallets. Judsauce, Question #8 is all you, feel free to chime in) was the most life-like, "it's in the living room with us" experience I can remember! The attack and subsequent long, gorgeous decay of that strike transported us to the hall where this magnificent recording was made.

If I was in CL mode, I don't believe my active mind would have allowed me to experience that moment so fully. For me, the main objective of being an audiophile is to be present and open to those moments when we are surprised by music.

Judsauce, well... it's critical listening night at our house (I just decided). Our first selection was.... you guessed it, Flight of the Cosmic Hippo! Your anecdote was so compelling I had to get that track and hear it for myself.

Wooten is just a magician with the bass. I love how he can keep his time and groove going seamlessly while casually dropping down what sure sounded like a full octave! I don't think I've ever heard bass quite that far down on my system, except maybe a few sub-terrerian notes played by that Swedish Pipe Organ dude on Cantata Domino, the reference LP of choral Christmas music.

Putting on my Gear Guy hat, I'm happy to report that the twins (a pair of REL Sub-Bass units) shook the house without compromising Wooten's superb line. No boom, no flab... just great.

Because you prepared me for it, I wasn't launched off the couch... but I thoroughly enjoyed attempting to duplicate your experience. Thanks!

Anyone else have a cool Critical Listening moment to share?