what is good sound ?

Mrtennis,

I think you present an illusory dichotomy. The perception of transparency, neutrality, and accuracy is a physiological/psychological process. I agree with Audiokinesis that you use critical listening to select and setup an audio system that will be satisfying and not distracting when enjoying music.

Maybe my preference for recordings of chamber and jazz music stems from my experinece with live performances of such music.

db

Mrtennis,

If by equipment-based, you mean evaluating equipment as a physical entity, its reputation, or its cost as opposed to listening to its acoustic output, then I could agree to such a dichotomy. If you mean critical as opposed to ralaxed listening, I could also agree to such a dichotomy. If you mean listening as a physiological/psychological, i.e. perceptual, process as opposed to something else, I think you are mistaken.

My doctoral and post doctoral work was in binaural processing, and I can assure you all hearing is a physiological/psychological perceptual process. Those who blab on about an "emotional" amp are doing just that, blabbing.

The psyhoacoustic correlates of complex perception (as in appreciating a Mozart sonata) are not subject to scientific study.

db

Mrtennis,

I think you are not a serious person nor should your posts be taken seriously. I'm sorry I wasted my time and the time of anyone who read my responses to your supposed dichotomy. It's preposterous to imagine that anyone could be serious about evaluating an audio system through psychodrama.

db