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The Disappearing Act

Nope, I am not talking about some magic trick!  

I often read here and other forums, when someone describing sound of their system….the music flows and speakers simply disappears. Also read similar acclamation for an amp, preamp or DAC. 

Would you agree when someone experience this phenomenon, you’re left with nothing but the music in its purest form. I would say, it’s a testament to the synergy of your components, room acoustics and meticulous setup. 

I would like to know, were you listening to something particularly special when ‘disappearing act’ happens, or is it a consistent experience across the tracks?

lalitk

Showing 2 responses by celtic66

celtic66
1,785 posts
 

All starts with recording engineers who understand microphones, positioning of players and their mics, room acoustics and a myriad of other contributory elements.

Each step contributes and the masters understand that.  Rudy Van Gelder studios had this dialed in.  Recordings several decades old hold their own today.

Bernie Grundman picked up and carried the torch.  I’ve blindly picked off his mastering work for decades.  I think he is the best currently.

Santana Abraxas Blu-Spec CD2 version first cut disappears.  Mickey Hart Däfos disappears.  Several Three Blind Mice recordings disappear.

It can never be live, but the facsimile of performance can be breathtaking when source is teamed with top reproduction equipment.  Good hunting.

celtic66
1,785 posts
 

Truly a near mythical thing.  Combination of so many elements not least of which is room acoustics.  One of the better rooms I've ever experienced had a red brick wall floor to ceiling behind the speakers with no acoustical treatment in the room.

The porosity of the bricks seemed conducive to diffusing and supporting the sound. The systems were simple as this was a shop in the 80s.  Usually a Rega table, ONIX integrated and Royd monitors.  Room size was moderate.  It all sang.

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