Does your system take you there or...?


Happened to purchase a Cary AES Super Amp (original) and AE-2 pre for my office. While I was breaking it in, I noticed it does the detail thing a little better than my Manley 300B/Steelhead combo.

After listening a little while and reading some reviews, I noticed that someone had made the distinction between gear that "takes you there" and gear that brings "there" here. After some more listening back-to-back with the same music, I came to the conclusion that the AES equipment does a better job of "taking you there" but the Manley gear brings "there" here into my room in a big way. Definitely different presentations.

Would appreciate others thoughts.

PMB
pmburnett

Showing 5 responses by mapman

Well, the room is there no matter what so that is a factor no matter what.

Different systems will sound different even in the same room. Some may seem to interact with teh room more so than others. It all depends.

Not sure what else to say. If it sounds good, it sounds good. Some recordings may sound live especially if you close your eyes. Others sound like recordings. It all depends.....
Agree with Pubul.

I like to be about one section back dead center at the symphony and I like something similar when I listen to a symphony at home in my MUCH smaller (than the symphony hall) listening quarters.

Also I am with Wolf regarding untreated rooms. You can fit the system to the room or fit the room to the system. I prefer mostly the first approach because it is a lot more practical and will likely deliver better results for lower cost in the end.
"Why else would you spend a gazillion dollars on audio gear,unless of course you're an equipment freak,but that's a subject for another thread."

I can't imagine anybody would spend a gazillion on audio gear unless they are an equipment freak. Doesn't mean they are not also a music lover, but you don't have to spend that much usually just to get really good sound IMHO.

Of course, its also all relative depending on finances and priorities as well I suppose, so who's to say.
My system is very groovy, baby, yeah!

It really takes me there, no doubt.

Not quite sure where exactly that is, but at least I do enjoy the ride.