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Is a highly discerning system enjoyable?

I argue that in terms of musical enjoyment, connection, feeling the musicians and composers maybe a highly discerning system is going too far? Maybe I want the warts airbrushed out.  Maybe I like a system that lets me listen to a broader range of recordings  without whincing?

Then there’s systems which are discerning of performances vs. discerning of upstream gear. I personally feel they are not the same thing at all.

Lastly, if your room is an acoustic mess, how can you tell?

If you feel strongly either way I'd appreciate examples of the gear that made you go one way or another.

erik_squires

Showing 2 responses by elliottbnewcombjr

elliottbnewcombjr
5,710 posts
 

I had JSE Model 2's, they measured and sounded the most accurate of any I owned. Whoopie! I drove them with McIntosh SS, 300 wpc. McIntosh SS Preamp.

After a few years, I missed my vintage speakers, extremely efficient, driven by vintage McIntosh tube preamp and more modern Cayin tube amp. They have 2 level controls each (balance mid horn to 15" woofer, balance tweeter to that result, I balance them with SPL and Test Tone CD. 

Gotta say, I prefer the vintage horns to the very accurate JSE's. My friend has those JSE's, updated them, he loves them, yet when he listens here, he finds these very involving. Involving has been my criteria once I clearly understood that factor so many years ago.

elliottbnewcombjr
5,710 posts
 

I was assuming everyone had imaging down.

Balance, missing in a lot of newer equipment, is a wonderful feature for occasional errant tracks that benefit a lot by a small adjustment. Remote balance is wonderful for when needed, so easy to hear the results of a small tweak.

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