I woke up this morning a little hungover, not from wine but from the lingering spell of last night’s listening session. Nicki Parrott’s voice was still in my head, smoky and rich, wrapped in the warmth of Black Coffee album on vinyl.
You may or may not be a fan of hers, and that’s okay because this post isn’t just about singing praises for her impeccable storytelling. It’s about those moments we all chase… the ones when your system disappears, and the music breathes with such life and intimacy, it feels like the artist is right there with you.
Last night, my system was at its absolute peak. Everything clicked. The performance was spellbinding, her tone so warm, her phrasing so present, it made me pause and ask myself:
Have I finally reached the point where I can stop tweaking… and just enjoy the music?
So I’m curious…have you had one of those nights where the gear disappears, and the music just becomes the room?
What was playing?
I’d love to hear about those moments that made you forget the tweaks, the specs, and the chase… and just feel!
2 nights ago, I tested a new WT-95 again. More I make WT-95s, my technique gets better (easier) and WT-95 sounds get better each time. Test is done by recording. The sound is more transparent than before and sound-stage was deeper.
Usually, I record 1 hours max starting 1AM. This new WT-95 sounded so good and more I listen, my brain became clearer that I recorded longer (more music) and stayed until 4am in pure musicality and musicians in my room. I wanted to stay more but I went to bed, I had to wake up 6am in the morning. Cheers, Alex/Wavetouch
I totally get what you’re describing and I don’t think it sounds superior to say you’ve felt that way for a while. Honestly, that’s the goal for most of us: to build a system that consistently dissolves and just leaves the music. If you’ve been living in that space already, that’s something to be celebrated for in my opinion.
My analog setup is relatively new and I have been tweaking here n there. I still have one more addition to go before I settle down.
Was it a particular piece in your setup that helped you cross that threshold or more of a mindset shift? Maybe even both? I think a lot of folks would find that valuable to hear.
BTW, I loved your Man Cave…looking at your collection, that’s a life lived in music. I bet every sleeve has a story :-)
Every day we have those nights! As a repair facility we get so many components in to hear. We enjoy plugging them all in and hearing what impact they have on the music. We also build our own components so we really get to hear what you heard but we hear that every time we turn on our system.
OP Iam a fan of Nikki and Venus recording. If your system does not sing on their amazing recordings then the system is not there yet. Congratulations I know what you have experienced.
OP when we hear our systems perform like you have ? We say maybe Iam done. Until one day I auditioned the holostage tweak? I can’t listen without them. So really this hobby is a journey. Am I done ? I like to think Iam.. I say for now?
@slaw@latitk Your systems and rooms are my spirit animal. @lalitkThanks again for your help aling the way. (Need to update system pages but….) ;-)
To the subject at hand. Heck yah there are sometimes where the zing is more so and you are exhilarated. It’s like a great conversation with someone that can’t be scheduled but just happens. Yesterday I had a rare early morning listening session so nice I closed my book and eyes.
Beautifully said! Those unscripted moments are the real payoff when the music pulls you in so completely, everything else just fades. Glad you caught one of those rare morning gems.
You’re right, moments like these also remind me, this really is a journey. Not just about gear or sound, but about chasing those rare, soul-stirring experiences that can’t be forced, only found.
I read something recently that went (I paraphrase) "Your system is the best system you’ve ever heard until you hear something better".
The thought is dispiriting and comforting at the same time, but it is so true that it shifted my perspective; and freed me to enjoy those moments of unalloyed listening bliss that occur from time to time, without thinking "I wonder how thiswould sound if I had... [insert some other component(s) here]"
Those beautiful, wonderful times of deep listening pleasure are often, but not often enough. Everything comes together on those wonderful occasions, the electricity, the choice of music, the quality of the recording, and maybe most importantly, the mood. It's not only the system, but also all of the above. These are experiences that are cherished. I look forward to many more of them.
“Your system is the best system you’ve ever heard until you hear something better". @devinplombier
No argument there but having heard so many different system and seeing how my own system has evolved over the years I would say this; my current system is the best I’ve ever heard. Are there better systems out there, absolutely but does that make system any less magical in the moment?
It’s amazing how a single shift in perspective can release us from the endless loop of “what if” and open the door to just being present with the music. Believe me, when I say this, contentment and curiosity not only can coexist, it can wonderfully liberating. Those fleeting moments of pure, unfiltered connection with the music… they’re why we started this journey in the first place. And when they come, it’s a gift, not something to second-guess or measure against different gear.
That happened to me the other day with an unexpected album: Tea fro the Tillerman, Cat Stevens; BluRay edition on a recently re-tubed (broken in) integrated amp.
A friend dropped by the other afternoon for a music session and we (uncharacteristically) chose that album.
We'd both heard it hundreds of times, but in this case the new remastered version was mesmerizing....instruments I'd never noticed before floated out of the speakers and the music shone like diamonds. I'd never been a major fan of "Longer Boats" but in this case we had to go back and listen a second time.
This conversation topic comes up occasionally, in various configurations, and I realize today how many things have to align for a "perfect" musical interlude...and I'm definitely including live performances.
Not only does a system have to be well balanced, but me as a listener has to be rested and receptive to the experience (not distracted by life, etc.). The barriers to full enjoyment at a live performance get even more complicated because of the numerous factors that can go wrong: the artist not inspired, bad seats, bad sound, disagreeable audience members, etc.
When all is perfectly aligned we should revel in the experience and be grateful!
I had several moments throughout my system building. I have to say, after all is said and done, room acoustics is the most important factor in getting great sound. It’s just not as sexy as buying a new component. I was 15/20 years in, before trying acoustic treatments. I still remember thinking I wish I would have started out this way....could have saved time and money.
I’ve been building my system in the same space for 30 years. One becomes very intimate with their system in this scenario.
I spent years of my early audiophile life with a VPI Jr. The ultimate DIY tt for a long while, which fulfilled my needs for understanding how differing materials and designs affect SQ. I went through all VPI upgrades to Mk IV status, even had a SuperPlatter on it. Also different belts IE: round, flat, bead cord etc depending the pulley I was using at the time. Also separating the motor from the base, various isolation platforms, wall mounts, cone material types, springs, tt power supplies, etc....This ultimately led me to compare various platter mats, weights, clamps. This long interest in reducing resonances by way of different materials/designs, intrigued me. So, this was my start.
Had an ET 2.5 on said tt for 20 years. I made a continuous wire loom for it with the same Cardas wire as factory, that removed one connection point. The difference was substantial and went into my memory banks.
One of my first cable epiphanies was trying a PAD (Purist Audio Designs) Elementa phono. It opened my then system up in a good way. I’m not a cable denier. Have since had many different designs in and out of my system.
My first phono cartridge moment was trying a Denon DL-110 on my then Pioneer DD tt. Woah....mind expanding at the time. Bought it from Japanese Stereo at half retail price. Some here may remember that store/outlet in California around the late 80s/early 90s.
Around this same time, I bought my first MFSL lp. Led Zeppelin II. ($!2.99 from MOFI) Another epiphany.....thus another never-ending quest for great recordings/pressings was born.
When I started fooling with speaker placement, realized how so important that is. Another major step for me then, that is now so obvious. I use dual subs in my small room and found that their proper placement is so important.
Decoupling all equipment where possible (especially tt) was a huge benefit.
I have dirty power at my house. The best conditioner I’ve owned are the Puritan PSM156 (2). Improved pretty dramatically over the passive 2nd generation Shunyata designs.
System synergy is key, I’ve own several amps that I use with my Usher Mini 2 Diamonds and while they all sound great, I purchased a pair Merrill Audio Veritas Monos last year and they are my new reference amps. More resolving and have great control. After experimenting with footers, went with HRS. Wouldn’t think they would make much difference under a solid billet aluminum chassis but they did. Finding the right cables made these amps/Ushers shine.
My Herron VTSP ESP REF and Audia Flight FL Phono are probably my endgame pieces in their respective duties.
Congratulations. A fantastic feeling, thank you for sharing. This is the goal, and to achieve it typically requires many years of decades of work. That makes it very worthwhile.
I completed my current system about five years ago and the feeling of wonder and amazement has not worn off. While I am very satisfied with my achievements of work, and exploration and travel are rewarding.... I am retired and they are in the past... but the achievement of my system is very much my constant companion (s, since my headphone system is in the same category for me).
Enjoy. Hopefully, the feeling with last far into the future.
Ennio Morricone. Once Upon a Time in the West. Steffi Vertriest cover version.
l am very familiar with the soundtracks and concert performances by the composer. I have collected his music since the 1960s before he was even well known. I have after 60 years accumulated most of his 500 film soundtracks in some form or other on Record and CD. The Morricone collecting community can be quite obsessive in wanting everything they can lay their hands on, the most coveted being the original LPs.
l have to say, and not just because you sampled the live recording on Audiogon that l have known of this example for many years…… It is the worst kind of reproduction of “Jill’s Theme” out there on the internet. The piano may be authentically recorded, but the vocal track has the worst “brightly” enhanced echo reverb fiddling with l have ever heard.
This example may sound impressive at a hi-fi show or demonstration room with a first listen, but on closer scrutiny it is a mixing desk nightmare. It is not a natural sounding reproduction. No performer can possibly sound so excruciatingly screechy as that, no matter what church or cave they can ever sing in.
That recording is a resounding rebounding bad sounding NO from me.IMHO
That’s an incredible journey, rich with wisdom, trial and error, and deep listening. I couldn’t agree more, room acoustics and system synergy matter far more than most of us realize early on. Once you hear the sound in a properly acoustically treated room there is no going back. Your path through turntables, cables, gear isolation, speaker placement and power provides a hard-earned insight.
I went camping last week, and the only music was the FM or internet radio (Radio Paradise) in my truck as we were driving around. That was nice to have, but on returning home Friday night and unpacking, I couldn't wait to warm up the system. After being gone for a week, everything sounded incredible and I experienced a renewed appreciation of all the time and effort I've put into building my system. It's been hard to pull myself away at night and get to bed at a decent time. As they say, absence can make the heart grow fonder.
I can totally relate. Isn’t it amazing how stepping away can reset your ears? Glad you’re back and reconnecting with your system, I know those moments make all the effort worth it. Nothing like falling in love with your setup all over again.
We’re lucky to live in a time with so many great ways to enjoy high-quality music. I rarely touch FM anymore, the moment I get in the car, it’s straight to Qobuz streaming.
Between other obligations and being out of town hadn't listened to my system going on three weeks, having withdrawals.
I built many systems over decades, kept an audio journal for most of that time. There are times when I'll go through those journals, all the obsession, angst! I'd build up a system over years only to find inherent faults no amount of tuning and/or component churning could satisfy my needs. I also overcompensated a number of times, overly romantic to overly analytical, very frustrating in real time. What I came to realize over time is how all this frustration, angst was a valuable learning experience. Having the journal to refer to gave me a guide/recollection of what did and didn't work, eventually I was able to build a system that satisfied this very particular individual. Its not easy being an audiophile, especially a very particular and individualistic audiophile. I've had to end up doing things my own particular way, my unique recipe for sound quality even goes so far as to add a dollop of capacitor here, resistor there, custom drivers, just the right tube, cable, lps, blah, blah, blah.
And so I've been pretty much at the end of this journey in last couple years, virtually all the work is done, I'm finally content! I know this is not perfection, but contentment is a good place to live, the artistry and the music is salient, sound quality has receded into the background. Not to say I'm never mindful of sound quality, I can still marvel at how well my system reproduces the highest quality recordings, but whats even more impressive is how well it does with mediocre recordings, these predominate by a large margin so you better have your ducks in a row. Providing a high level involvement requires high level of resolution/transparency, the magic comes from having just the right amount of forgiveness, 'natural' timbre and 'flow' or timing is key.
So now the music sets the mood rather than the sound quality, my interest waxes and wanes with the music and/or recording quality. Newfound quality artists are now the highlight of my listening sessions, just last night discovered two who will be long term favorites, Linda Perhacs and Dorothy Ashby, both 1970 releases, how did I ever miss them! Yes, this is a very good time to be an audiophile!
🎷 Prisoner of Love — Coleman Hawkins & Ben Webster
Two tenor titans in perfect harmony. Smoky, tender and unhurried. Hawkins brings the depth, Webster the warmth and together, they breathe this ballad into something timeless. Not just played… felt. Sunday afternoon Jazz…..at its finest.
I am somewhat familiar with your wonderful journey. Isn’t it amazing how much trial, error, and personal insight it takes to build a system that truly fits you. Love how you described contentment and not chasing perfection, but letting the music lead. I am right there with you…that balance of resolution and forgiveness is everything.
And yes, discovering artists like Perhacs and Ashby makes all the effort worthwhile. Speaking of mood setting…I’d like to mention, Eddie Higgins….subtle, lyrical, and effortlessly melodic.
@lalitkI've been following your moving along the road to have an Analogue Source discovered that is totally in keeping with your preference for an end sound being produced.
It now seems there is a synergy to be found somewhere within the devices selected for the overall audio system, that delivers to more than the sum of the parts.
Using my own experiences of my own system and the reactions of others who are able to be a listener to it, there is certainly something occurring that is more than the sum of the Parts, and one comment regularly made and inquiry raised, is about the Speakers Coupling to the Room, it seems the immersion in sound is one of the factors that creates the positive responses.
Recently I made a radical change and set aside the usage of the usual Power Amp's and Speakers and brought in New To Myself and others to hear them devices.
A SET 300b Amp' and Dual Concentric Speakers produced as a TL Design are now taking on the Downstream Role of Power Sent to Speaker and the Production of Sound.
I have a new end sound and one that is extremely convincing of its qualities.
I have never Tube Rolled Power Tubes in my time of owning Tube Power Amp's which extends back to approx' 30 Years and the early to mid 90's.
I am now already going through the early stages of Tube Rolling 300b's l really am keen to learn what is available from the SET Amp'.
The really Good News is all connected to the System Upstream during the use of the SET Amp' and DCTL Speakers have delivered to the same impressive standard that they are known for.
At these early stages, the DCTL Speakers as they are at present setup in the listening space are invisible, the Source of produced sound is not detectable. These Speakers are Coupled to the Room as well as the ESL's and other Cabinet Design Speakers used with the System. Where they really standout is in being able to produce a sound that is 'standout' for the Growl / Rasp in a Voice and the Timbre of the Voices. I'm sure more revelations are to come in relation to how voices are produced as a sound.
The New Toys are proving themselves quite capable. The system remains disappeared and the listener is immersed in sound, even though a formed sound quite discernible for its properties to what the other Speakers are producing.
Glad to hear you like the album. Another favorite, if may suggest - Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson. Qobuz 24bit/192kHz is pretty darn good but AP’s vinyl is another level.
You are experiencing and enjoying wonderful synergy between your components. When that happens, the system disappears and the room becomes the sound and that’s what most of us chase. When the room, speakers, and amplification speak the same language, the result goes beyond sonics, it becomes presence.
I am looking forward to hear what more your tube rolling journey reveals!
@mihorn -- It is the worst kind of reproduction of “Jill’s Theme”
Every one has different ears. It’s better to others. All "Jill’s Theme" YT videos are less than 1M views, except Steffi’s is 39M views. I think she and team did a great job. Please post a link for better "Jiils Theme".
When it comes to the 300b Amp', I have created 30 Years later in life a very keen interest is a design I have side lined in the Past.
In the late 80's and into the 90's I was attending London Based Audio Shows and Audio Equipment Dealerships where I would suggest there were not many Models produced from a Commercial Aspect that I did not sit in front off for an Audition.
At the time of my first Valve Power Amp commission build, I had the option of a 300b to be produced, but my experiences had not left anything that was to compel me to go down this route. My choices have always been for a PP Design using different Power Valve choices.
Times do change, I was devout to the Trilogy that makes a Analogue Source throughout the 80's when digital Sources arrived and continued with a Analogue Source only until only a few years past.
After a period with a Digital Source, the outcome is in today's System, the Digital and Analogue Source share Parity as a End Sound Producer, even the notion of having a Steamer as a Source is now on the Radar, but the Old Ways remain Strong.
The disciplines developed for using Analogue still remains with a strong influence, where there is the need to give the Stylus the best interface within the Groove Possible and have at hand electronics with the sole purpose of processing the sent Signal created by the Stylus to be the very best I can comfortably afford to put in place.
Now in the present, I am quite excited about the New Form of Sound being created as the most recent listening experiences, that are being produced through the use of a SET 300b and Speakers with a 96dB Woofer and 106dB Tweeter Designed to function as a Dual Concentric Assembly.
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moments throughout my system building. I have to say, after all is said and done, room acoustics is the most important factor in getting great sound. It’s just not as sexy as buying a new component. I was 15/20 years in, before trying acoustic treatments. I still remember thinking I wish I would have started out this way....could have saved time and money.