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How do you know what you're missing?

Without listening to better systems than your own, how do you go about targeting what to improve? How do you know what is possible? It's a case of you don't know what you don't know. I get that indistinguishable from live is the definition of high fidelity, but I don't see that as a realistic aspiration without a dedicated built to spec room and a few orders of magnitude more expensive gear.

Reading reviews or forums can't possibly educate as well as demonstration. "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture," applies to the hardware as well as the media. I've isolated myself for many years prior to current circumstances. I can't remember the last time I actually went and listened to someone else's system. For that matter it's been years since I heard live music, too. (I don't count serenading the cat at home.)

Is it a case of you'll know it when you see it? Is this not a common problem? Or do you just not know it is a problem?
cat_doorman

Showing 4 responses by cat_doorman

cat_doorman OP
237 posts
 
I don't think I presented the question well. I'm looking for those subtle things that happen when you change a cable or roll tubes. When doing an A/B comparison it can be fairly easy to pick out which one you like better and maybe even what about the difference you liked. When reading about A and then reading about B and then trying to compare that to what you already have things get difficult. I know it can get better, but I'd rather do more than throw money at it and hope. I want that magical ethereal quality where the music hangs there in the air, leaves your jaw slack, tears welling up in your eyes, and transfixes you as it tugs on your very soul. Maybe I'm just not affected the same way other people are. Maybe I can't ever afford a system that will do that for me. Maybe my room is so god awful I'm slogging uphill with a big bag of rocks over my shoulder. Maybe I need some mushrooms or LSD. I feel like I people are talking about 3-D IMAX and I'm flipping through a newspaper.

Is there a way to truly understand the concept of better sound without experiencing it firsthand? I've had a similar revelatory paradigm shift before, but I know there must be another level. Before spending obscene amounts of money in this pursuit I'm trying to find a road map or set a goal marker. Like I can't get from LA to NY on $14.37, but there's a big difference in cost between private jet and Amtrak. Maybe I'd be better off just settling for a post card.
cat_doorman OP
237 posts
 
As I understand it, clean power is a necessary but insufficient condition for great sound. It’s on the list, just not next on the list. I have some reasonable no bullshit cables from Zu and Cullen that should be good until I need to get to the next level. I have an LPS for my DAC. I’m using a Furman PST-8D because it should protect my equipment without completely screwing up the sound. Plugging directly to the wall is never going to happen. Too much at risk. I’ll look into a regenerator or conditioner seriously when I think it has become the limiting factor. 
cat_doorman OP
237 posts
 

I appreciate all the replies. Sounds like consensus is there isn’t a substitute for first hand experience. No one has come up with a gear emulator plug in like Pro Tools effects to take your favorite track and digitally alter it to replace your budget consumer receiver with the sound of a top of the line DAC/pre/power amp combo. Just for demo purposes of course. It’s an unrealistic proposition. Damn. I admit I was looking for a shortcut. 

“You can’t get what you want, ‘til you know what you want,” is a common theme for me. Maybe when the world is less scary I’ll venture out and hear something that changes everything, puts me on a definite track.

I haven’t been in a hi-fi shop in about 20 years. I guess I’m just not one of those ride the upgrade merry-go-round types - not that there’s anything wrong with that. They hear a lot more different gear than I have and have already learned their preferences. I envy them, but not enough to follow their example. Other than replacing a few CD players that I wore out (Adcom, Rotel, Ah!) I hadn’t done any upgrades until this past year. I now have an almost entirely new system and am planning next steps. I just want to avoid major pitfalls and am always looking for that thing I missed. Gotta watch your blind spots. We all doubt ourselves at times. Some of us more than others.

I still swap in my older gear from time to time to listen for differences. Maybe I’m a hoarder and I’ll end up with a house full of gear because I’ll never actually manage to get rid of anything. 

Currently looking at some room treatments. I figure that should help no matter what gear I use, and I can add to it incrementally.

Next I’m going move a few models up the Zu line while I’m still inside the 1yr 100% trade in period for my Omen DW. Very happy with them, but obviously moving further up the line will be more of whatever it is I like, right? I will still want to look at different types of speakers, but I need a reference pair. 

Then it will be time for a better pre-amp. I really only got into tubes for the first time this year and have been using a Schiit Saga+ and trying a few tube flavors. I like it better than using my old integrated as a pre. Must be something to that tube magic. I’ve even used it as a tube buffer into my integrated. That was surprisingly successful.

After that I’m not so sure. A better streamer, Class A SS amp, subwoofer(s), more tube rolling, power regenerator, R2R or other types of DAC, and cable upgrades are all possibilities. I may even venture down the vinyl rabbit hole though that will definitely require a demo. That’s far enough out time wise that I’ll need to see what’s out there and try not to be afraid to shop used or change my mind. 


cat_doorman OP
237 posts
 

Q: If I’ve never had chocolate cake (or haven’t had any in a long time), what are some ways I can insure my recipe turns out as good as possible WITHOUT tasting a bunch of other chocolate cakes or making dozens of trial cakes? What is chocolate cake even supposed to taste like?

A: Try lots of chocolate cake to see what you like. Then reverse engineer the recipe.

A: Make sure to preheat your oven. That is the most important thing.

A: What kind of frosting are you using? The right frosting makes a big difference.

A: Look within to find your perfect inner chocolate cake. Become that cake in the world.

A: You need to use real chocolate. That processed stuff or premixed stuff is no good.  

A: Have you tried cupcakes yet?

A: Try small variations of the recipe to see which you like better. Practice, practice, practice.

A: Go to a baking contest and try all the cakes. 

A: What you really want are brownies. I make special brownies. They’re the best. The secret is in the butter. 


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