Why do Classical CDs sound less Alive/Real/Present ?


Of course GIGO always applies but some of my CDs are on decent labels.
When I listen to symphony recordings as an example, the sound loses its presence
and sounds a bit like I am using a much lesser grade of equipment.

My system has all components in excellent shape as well as a good amount
of acoustic treatments. The room is not large at 16 x 14 x 8 + adjacent open kitchen
behind seating of 10 x 13,  so I am wondering if what I hear is just the nature of the
beast-ie. a lot of instruments going on at one time?

I seem to recall this has always been the case in other settings as well.

What say ye? 

gadios
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Classical Music usually isn’t mixed with the “Loudness Wars” mentality.  What may sound recessed and laid back to a pop oriented listener may actually be a more faithful reproduction of acoustic instruments in an actual space.  It takes a good system to do justice to most recorded CM, and it helps to be a discerning listener with experience of hearing live concerts 

If a system is not able to play all the info you will experience less of the soundstage. You can be in this hobby 40-50 years and never playback the entire real space/ real size of classical. It's there in the recording but when a system has signal blockage you're only going to hear what makes it through to your ears and body.

Michael Green

Don't shoot the messenger. There is a ton of music hidden within the CD format, including red book.I have cds that are easily 15 years old, that were some magazines recording of the month, that I found lacking. As my system improves, so does the music