The spending of big bucks is fine for those that can afford it. At one time, I sure did. But the unfortunate reality is, people are listening to equipment that can never achieve " live, unamplified " sound, of the musicians playing. And if you think your system does, you have little experience with live, unamplified music. However, giving more credit to many listeners, whatever you spend, it will be a compromise in so many ways. THE RECORDINGS are compromised. The most popular thread here had, for at least a week, a discussion on ( 1 ) what is the proper tone of the guitar, ( 2 ) where is the musician located on the stage and ( 3 ) how much ambience is heard within the recorded space. I am talking about Keith Don’t Go, by Nils Lofgren, from Acoustic Live. A popular demo track at shows when it was released, and long after. Was the guitar he used the popular and regularly played Takamine Legacy 508 ? Will your system tell you ? Would you actually know if it was, just by listening ? I don’t pay attention as much to that stuff on recordings, because of the mic’s, cables, recorders, eq and compression ( just to name a few ) and ALL of the associated equipment used, to make it to the production. However, there are some attributes of the music that I care about more, and two are dynamics and transients, which consist of quiet to loud, forceful, rhythmic, control, speed, articulation ( and yes, PRaT ) thunderous, delicate, believable attack and decay, etc. These suffer from the " recording " as well. But these are very important sound characteristics I yearn for, from all recordings ( I come from a " music " background ). Given what I have $ wise into my system, the systems delivers it. Live unamplified music, from a violin, to a huge drum set, exhibits these....as a given. So many Hi End systems I have heard, fall short of these characteristics. Yes, they are spatial. Yes they are holographic. Yes, they can place you in the audience. Oh, my system does that too !. But the meat on the bones, is not just added punch, or more bass. One of my many " challenge recordings " for systems, is Romantic Warrior, by RTF. Not a Sheffield Lab, RR, or similar,etc. ) 4 fabulous musicians, playing individually......and together.....The key word is " PLAYING ". This is what I listen to. I hope I have not offended anyone here, as it was not my intent. For many of you, you have your own sound characteristics you are looking for. Listening to recorded music is always a compromise, no matter the system. I know my system has limitations. The recording processes are the limiting factor. Sorry for my rant, but I found a new Sativa, and my mind is exploding with thoughts and ideas.....lol.....My best to everyone......Always, MrD.
When someone tells you it's a $40,000 amp, does it sound better?
I've always been a little bit suspicious when gear costs more than $25,000 . At $25,000 all the components should be the finest, and allow room for designer Builder and the dealer to make some money.
I mean that seems fair, these boxes are not volume sellers no one's making a ton of money selling the stuff.
But if I'm listening to a $40,000 amplifier I imagine me Liking it a whole lot more just because it costs $40,000. How many people have actually experienced listening to a $40,000 amplifier. It doesn't happen that often and usually when you do there's nothing else around to compare it to.
I'm just saying expensive gear is absolutely ridiculous. It's more of a head game I'm afraid. Some how if you have the money to spend, and a lot of people do, these individuals feel a lot better spending more money for something. Now you own it, and while listening to it you will always be saying to yourself that thing cost $40,000 and somehow you'll enjoy it more.
Showing 5 responses by mrdecibel
@rbach , actually, you are clueless as to anything I spoke about. So, enjoy ! Always, MrD. |
@unreceivedogma , I am not sure if you understand where I am coming from. On a post of mine on another thread, it was brought to my attention by another poster ( a great individual, imo ), stating that he read a statement from a poster on WBF ( a site I enjoy )....in which he listens the way I do. And, the statement was : I want to hear " WHAT the musicians are doing on the stage ". This, to me, is the essence of listening to music. Because we are talking amplifiers on this thread, here is a brief story I spoke about on another thread. In early 2017 ( for shits and giggles ) I purchased a Nuforce STA200 amp, highly rated by a reviewer from The Absolute Sound Magazine. It was $500 to purchase this amp, so why not. Based on what I listen for, it bettered so many other amps in my collection, so I sold many from my stash locally from my collection. All quite expensive in relation to this little gem. In fact, it got someone posting HERE, quite upset, as he owned one of these amps I sold. This person actually thought that my amp ( the same one he owned, and cherished ) was old, out of spec, and needed work. Well, I was happy to sell this perfectly mint example, and received lots of money for it ( there was actually a bidding war on it ). Needless to say, this poster has since not liked me, as I suppose this person took offense to it. It is fine, because my music listening, is for me, and me alone. I know I listen differently than many others, and my ears / brain works a particular way, as everyone else's. I was 15 when I knew the " sound " I was looking for, and what characteristics are important to me. Enough of my blabbing......Whatever makes one happy. My best to all. Always, MrD. |
Getting back to amplifiers. For 50 years I have changed power cords on products to heavier gauge, and in one or two instances, converted to iec inlet ( not an easy thing to do with metal work ). Anyway, huge improvements every time. I am also very much into chassis damping ( some people refer to this as dampening, which is wrong, as this involves wetness and moisture of some kind ). Again, this is huge, to my ears, and many others ( clients, friends, and not to forget, ricevs as an example ). Heat sinks ring like crazy, on many amps, and isolating the transformer ( s ) from the chassis, is another area of achieving greatness. Take the lid ( top cover ) off of your amp, and while holding it with one hand, flick it with a finger from your other hand. It will likely " ring " in most cases. The chassis parts are important, and if a 40K amp includes much of this....great. But my experience has been, all amp chassis’s have a sound ( not different with preamps, dacs etc. Anyway, till next time. My best, MrD. |