I would argue the other way. Use photography as an analogy. If you enlarge a photo and the color balance of the enlargement is identical, then the process is neutral. That is, no colors are highlighted or muted (a stereo system is basically a signal enlarger). If the enlargement is blurred or distorted, then the process is not transparent - the lens could be low quality, defective or dirty. But it still may be neutral, and you may not discern it because of the distortion. Transparency is needed to see neutrality, IMO.
neutrality & transparency: what's the difference ?
neutral and transparency are often considered the same by some hobbyists.
in fact they are not.
neutrality implies no alteration of the signal, whatsoever.
i have used the term "virtually" neutral to imply no audible coloration. of course this is a subjective term.
transparency is a subset of neutrality. it implies a perfectly clear window on the recording.
let me illustrate. suppose an amplifier has a slight deficiency in bass reproduction, e.g., it cannot reproduce any frequencies below 40 hz. that amplifier would not be considered a neutral component.
if said amp reproduced all "information" on a recroding within its range, i.e., above 40 to whatever, without covering up any detail, it would be a transparent device.
thus transparent includes the pssibility of an error, but also implies the passing of all information within the range or capability of the component.
transparency is a subjective term. often when used it means "virtual" transparency because it is possible a component may be hiding information that one is not aware of, but yet one perceives that no information is missing.
any thoughts ?
in fact they are not.
neutrality implies no alteration of the signal, whatsoever.
i have used the term "virtually" neutral to imply no audible coloration. of course this is a subjective term.
transparency is a subset of neutrality. it implies a perfectly clear window on the recording.
let me illustrate. suppose an amplifier has a slight deficiency in bass reproduction, e.g., it cannot reproduce any frequencies below 40 hz. that amplifier would not be considered a neutral component.
if said amp reproduced all "information" on a recroding within its range, i.e., above 40 to whatever, without covering up any detail, it would be a transparent device.
thus transparent includes the pssibility of an error, but also implies the passing of all information within the range or capability of the component.
transparency is a subjective term. often when used it means "virtual" transparency because it is possible a component may be hiding information that one is not aware of, but yet one perceives that no information is missing.
any thoughts ?