Sounds good in theory but, unless everyone was using the exact same make and model preamp power amp, speakers and cables, there would be no way to predict how a "Conrad Johnson Mode" would sound. Since everyone has different equipment, listening rooms and hearing, how in the world could you know what the particular dialed in "Classic Component Sound" was supposed to sound like????? I've been on that merry go round myself trying to dial in ss equipment to sound close to tubes. I gave up and went back to a Conrad Johnson Premier 11A all tube amp with Sventlana 6550Cs driving Von Schweikert VR5s and rediscovered what real music sounds like. Now, if I can only find a good deal on a CJ Premier 17LS, I would be done.
Digital Modeling of Sonic Signatures
A company called Line 6 has a number of products aimed at electric guitarists. Basically, they are digital, solid state signal processors and/or amps that use DSP to sonically model the sound of specific guitar amplifiers. The sound palette ranges from classic Fenders, stacked Marshalls, clean Rolands and more modern hi-gain, class A designs (Mesa-Boogie). Amazingly, the digital recreations are very accurate. I'm not saying they're indistinguishable from the originals, but the recreations are real close. My question is -- why are no audio manufacturers applying similar technology to recreate, or mimic the sonic signature's of well known high end amps and preamps? I'm imagining an outboard processor that the user could dial in any sound palette they desired, whenever they desired. Would any of you buy a product like this?