Does your system take you there or...?

Very often it depends on the specific recording.

'Just curious and not starting up trouble'

Yeah, right

I guess I need to clarify. Both systems are in my listening room at the moment. I bought the new system for my office, but break-in is occurring in my listening room. Same source, same cables, same speakers, same rack, same recordings. While there is some variation from recording to recording, the overall effect is that the AES equipment is much more likely to transport you to the event and the Manley equipment brings the essence of the event to my room.

The effect is especially interesting with some of my Ani DiFranco recordings.

On the AES gear, it is like I am at one of the local clubs listening to her perform. I can "see" the room and where the music is in the space. There is a real sense that music is being performed.

On the Manley gear, the essence of the performance appears in my room. You can still get an idea of the space, but the experience is like the performance is in the room-- in front and behind the plane of the speakers. Like you can walk around in the music.

My wife prefers the AES presentation. She describes it as being able to pick out more layers of the music. I generally prefer the presentation of the Manley where it's slightly fewer layers (all the important ones are there), but more intense layers.

I'm curious if others have had a similar experience. None of my previous solid-state gear did what either of these do. On my solid-state gear, I had great imaging and soundstaging, but there was a definite sense of the listening to a recording rather than a performance-- even if I didn't realize it at the time.

PMB

Just like Elizabeth to throw doubt into the mix. We all know 'doubt' is the virus that infects all in this hobby. Let us all face it, 'knowing' is just never going to happen.

I have experienced the effect you describe, but can't explain it at all. One might generalize and say that if the system brings the musicians into your room as opposed to you into their recording site, then it is less accurate and editorializing on the signal. The point is reproduction of the original event in it's original space. The musicians are not recorded in your room, they are in their recording site. I like it when the system gives me everything needed to map out the recording site and present it in my room, but I also enjoy conjuring up musicians in my room as if they are here right now. It can be spooky and subjectively more successful as a HiFi experience. I think both approaches are valid since HiFi should also be fun and a pleasure. Sounds like both amps have similar levels of attainment, but just different presentations. This speaks highly of the AES/Cary's which sell for alot less dollars. Good thing one is destined for your office, or you would have a hell of a time deciding which to keep. Now, if you are listening to Ani in the studio, then by all means let her play right in your room in front of you. This is how my Vintage tube system presents her and it is an absolute gas. When I play her live, like on "Living in Clip" she is transported into my room along with the venue's sound. Sort of like the hall is now in my room along with her singing and playing right in front of me... also a gas.