Validation
To go along with my post about how competitive you are regarding your set, is this question: Do you need someone to validate the quality of your set or can you be happy with it all by yourself? In my case, no one has heard my set in a long time and I’ve made many improvements. So far, I’m very pleased with what I’ve done, but I do wonder what others might think.
How about you?
Like you I have no external validation, barring my own enjoyment and remembering the journey -- research, listen, purchase, listen, return/exchange, or keep and repeat. Though, I was very pleased when one my music loving friends remarked that his favorite album sounded "wonderful" on my streaming system. Mostly, I benefit from the discussions here on what component/configuration/tweak (within my reach) may be best to investigate and try. |
No, and it’s a rather silly thing to be competitive about! I’m not traditionally competitive anyways - mostly concerned with my own solitary pursuits of knowledge, skill, and self-satisfaction. I guess a "lone wolf" kind. All systems I’ve heard fall into 2 major categories: ones I like, and ones I don’t like. That’s the major demarcation. Getting good feedback can be OK in the moment, but it’s not meaningful nor necessary to me in the long run. I listen to much different material and SPLs than most audiophiles anyways. I am the sole arbiter of my audio pursuits! |
The smile on my face when I crank it up is all I need. My son and son in law were over the other day . They have heard my main system a number of times in its different incarnations over the years . They haven't heard my second system since new speakers and amp. When they heard that tiny system come to life they were quite surprised. It was fun watching their reaction. |
What’s the latest change(s) in the system @rvpiano did you get a new DAC? |
No I spend 95% of my system time as a solo listener. I do have a small group of audio friends all about an hour drive from each other that when we do get a chance to have visits, eat good food, and listen to each others systems I believe the smiles seen on faces and some occasional toe tapping motion does make the day a little more special. |
Almost all my listening is alone and while we all probably enjoy affirmation, it is neither necessary nor available. I have a good idea of the sound I want and I’m closing in on it. I’m very happy with my system although I know there is always better. I’m not jealous of those who have achieved it. I am quite skeptical of those who think they have assembled the “best”, there is no best in this stuff, at least that’s what I think |
My Own System is used Socially not Panel Judged, even though a Visitor to a Room at a Public Attended Venue or to my Home, might have a Judgemental Side to their character, the Spirit behind the attendance is purely Social, Meet &Greet. My System is able to be described as a Socially Attractive System, able to hold visitors in a Space. When at a Audio Event interfacing with Public Paying Visitors who are attending, these individuals are free to move through exhibits, my own exhibit space has been full for most of the Open Time of the Event, and some Visitors have returned to the space and remained for the bulk of the Events Opening Time. The Odd Whisper is passed on that the Exhibit is being heard discussed around the show and that it looks like the system is best in the Show. At the Home Front, Invites are regularly accepted, or devices are requested to be added and head through the system. System Devices are also regularly requested to be brought along to be added to other systems. I enjoy the occasional sit down in front of the system to listen to recorded music on a dedicated audio system and am pleased with how the system has developed into what it is today. It seems that sentiment is extended to others that encounter the audio system, if met in a Space purposely produced to use the audio system in, or in a space that is only temporary and not ideally optimised for managing End Sound. |
@rvpiano glad you’re still enjoying the N200. Great streamer. And glad you’re enjoying the music! |
This is a pretty solitary hobby. I really don't show off my hardware , I know people think it's nuts to have big stereos anyways. I really don't care, and at the risk of sounding selfish it's completely for my enjoyment.. The best validation that a system sounds good is that you don't listen for flaws and just enjoy the music |
hmmm quite the loaded question here.... But I will bite. I think there is no harm in comparing systems In the proper context. How much did person A spend to get the sound reproduction that they wanted? I have heard systems that retailed for hundreds of thousands of dollars and sounded tonally incorrect to me. I have also heard systems that were only a few thousand dollars that sounded tonally correct. Everyone here values something a bit different in their audio reproduction. If you read carefully you will find those who seek similar traits in the hobby. But to start comparisons are silly. You can have the exact same gear as someone but your room could make the equipment sound totally different!! Buy what you want and enjoy!! Happy Listening!!! |
To me, enjoying music and understanding system integration and synergy are two different things. I like both. I often tune my room with House Curve, through speaker placement, sub (pair) settings and acoustic treatment. I appreciate getting someone else’s perspective as they may hear or have experience listening to things that I have yet to uncover or focus on. I wonder sometimes if the bass could integrate better etc. I like forums like this because people share knowledge that can help others get closer to their sound. At the end of the day though, I’ll put on a record and enjoy it as I’m pretty damn close. Other’s perspective have helped me get there - but I know what I like. Also, the journey is pretty great. Help along the way is awesome as long as you stay true to your ears. |
Sometimes it's the journey.i went all over America and picked up audio equipment.now setting it up. What therapy.enjoy the music and the therapy.met alot of nice audiophile with projects. Always had pic sent to verify. Not one scam but there were some if I could not get a Pic with a specific item no deal. |
Of course, compliments are always appreciated, but it’s not about ego, validation, or anything like that. If you don’t want any critical input, it’s your loss. A friend came over, so I played his favorite record (Santana’s first album). He complained that, “he couldn’t understand the lyrics”. My equipment is thoughtfully matched and fine (no one needs to tell me this) but it confirmed my suspicion that my room needs a lot of acoustic treatment. Maybe my lp is suboptimal. Whatever. I wouldn’t be much of an audiophile if I weren’t seeking higher fidelity.
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I love my Livingroom system and consider it my end game done system. However, I had a friend who is a musician and audio hardware vendor come over to listen. His hearing ability was written up on 6moons.com and I had also noticed the same genius when I was discussing audio gear with him in the past. He told me that the Livingroom system, which cost me about $20k and is rather simple was the 3rd best system he had ever heard. The other 2 costing close to a million. He was not a SS fan and likes vinyl and tubes the most. My setup was a SS Benchmark LA4 preamp and SS amp. I remember telling him before he came over that my setup was something me may not like but I loved it. If it was anyone else, I really would not have paid too much mind to the feedback but coming from someone who knows so much about audio made me convinced not to ever touch this system. I did do one upgrade, but only because the speakers were scratching the floor. I got the Townsend Audio Platforms and there was an improvement in the sound (especially the bass). BTW - I have received a lot of negative feedback from my friend in the past. I can remember 3 pieces of gear that he told me were not good. I ended up selling them. |
I refer to the used Audio System as my System, but many of the devices within the assembly are Bespoke, Unique and not in use by any other. Then there are Devices that are used by others but in the guise that I own them with substantial design changes and modifications, these are Bespoke but used by a selection of owners having relied on the same service to attain the device. My Audio System is not really my own, it is the Brainchild of other's. I do own the credit for the bringing together the devices, the thought gone into how the system is propped up / supported, the thought gone into how the Space the End Sound is heard in, is formed to be a betterment for the sound produced, Source Material Recordings that are used to produce an End Sound, Cleanliness of a Source Material and the Critical Ancillaries used to interface with a Source Material. Disciplines developed I am happy to be the adopter of the methodologies. |
A longtime friend invited me over for Mojitos and to audition his upgraded system. I was quite impressed with the SQ and told him so. A couple of months later he mentioned that he was considering an upgrade. I told him his system was great as-is, and suggested that he spend the money on a vacation with his wife. That's what friends are for. |
+2 Million @2psyop
The need for Validation -- the ultimate downfall of Gen Z, Gen Alpha's and later Millennials who have been raised on "Likes" and "Clicks". Take validation away from them and many of them have mental and social breakdowns -- that statement is not hyperbole, as study after study are proving this over and over.
I'm glad I'm old enough that the only person's opinion that matters to me is my wife of 40 years. And boy, does THAT opinion carry a lot of sway! |
@lloydc I can’t understand half the words either... But then, I don’t speak Spanish! Actually, the vocal track is recorded way down on that and it is very hard just to hear what is being said, let alone understand it. If you get the system right, you can understand what is being said, but it is difficult in a live room and certainly easier in nearfield. I assume you are talking ~27:20. As for validation, it is exceedingly rare for someone to come over to listen. However, they’ve always been amazed and compared it to "six figure sound" even when still in "development." Of course as a hobby, things are always in development. On line validation is nice, especially when it is from those that also have nice sounding systems to demo. But it is not necessary, and I know where my system stands from attending shows. Someone mentioned that cost, or lack thereof, seems to spur this sort of thing. When one puts their own components together that can "compete" and saves a ton of coin in the process, they get a sense of pride that you just don't get from walking into the store and putting your money down. If this is shared, perhaps others will follow suit allowing for better sound for less $$$. I am always too happy to share what I have and have done. |
Very true. Learning, research, effort deserve respect. Hiring consultants to design you a system, paying a crew to set it up, then plunking yourself down in front of it with a single malt on the rocks and spinning Diana Krall... Mis dos centavos |
Nothing I would like better than having staff from Stereophile Magazine come over for a listen and review the sound of speakers of a listener’s design/build on a shoestring budget that can compete with the big guys. I know that some of these guys are in the Los Angeles/Orange County area (hint hint). I have thick skin and a Teflon coat. |
I don't need it but it's fun to watch people's faces, they generally aren't ready for it and are smiling/laughing every time. Never had anyone give me a "meh" afterwards. The best responses were from my kids' friends - seems like everybody owns a little bluetooth speaker for their whole house and that's it! |
I sometimes wonder what my local dealer would think of my system, in my room, but mostly because I didn’t buy everything from him. Although he does sell some of the gear I’ve bought used. But not for validation, rather ideas/suggestions from a different perspective as no one else besides my wife has any interest, and she is happy as is. |
I like audiophile friends to visit and give their thoughts on the system. Unfortunately, it happens rarely. All but about three have passed on. Luckily, I know when I'm pleased with the system. Today was a great day. I upgraded from Ayre Codex to the Ayre QB-9 DSD Twenty DAC. The Aurender N200 is very happy and I'm very pleased. Thanks, aldnorab |
....it seems to me that the only real competition that could occur is to race turntables.....on edge, a 'drag race' sort of affair..... 'Couse, having a golf tournament done with nothing but slingshots and pool cues for putting has a bent appeal to moi'... ...can see it now.... ...the only Window that could be safe is Eleven... |
@bugredmachine You certainly seem driven. Your systems look amazing. You've put so much work into them. Not surprised you'd feel the need to crush anyone who didn't validate all that effort.
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Thanks folks. I try to address each area the best I can. The room was existing, so I could not rebuild it as it is the only room over the garage and exposed to the elements on 3 sides. My take is audiophiles must consider all of these: Great gear - have that now with minor hiccups and expense. Not the most expensive, but we all know you don't have to break the bank to get great sound. Room dimensions and construction - was dictated to me but I focused on acoustics within the space. Added a feature wall, a pony wall with sliding door with MLV in it, and laminate flooring that makes me happy.. Speaker and listener position set-up - dialed in using 3 different methodologies all converging on the same general positions/relationships dimensionally. So that "validates" what I hear versus what the pro's have recommended. Room tuning - spent an enormous amount of time on this between high frequencies, bass trapping, bounce, reflection points, and general ambience and broad sound stage applying some diffusion as well. I almost overdamped it in the pursuit of taming the bass so dialed up the diffusion to bring back the ambience. Commensurate cabling that extracts the best from the gear - almost 3 years of serious cable buying and selling to find the right match to my gear. It was fun, expensive, and at times, exhausting. Electronic noise reduction (black background) - every tweak I could muster that made sense to me without robbing the sound (passive devices) The best recordings (some redbook is great, some is not so great, for instance) - personal preferences I suppose. I find DSD to be too sterile but 96 or 192 to be funner. |
The notion that I require validation from someone else is beyond the pail. My audiophile circle consists of one person, that being myself. Every one else that I know feels just fine with those buds that Apple use to give away with iPods. If my acquaintances knew what I spent on my system that would seriously begin talking with my wife about an intervention |
