Waiting for the Truth

[Frazeur1]

God, I would hate to invision what the inside of my skull would look like, probably similar to Homer Simpson's, a lot of air and a little mush....

[Marco]

And furthermore, I believe that the electronics engineers/audio designers most afflicted by that condition have been singlehandedly responsible for holding back progress in the field of recorded music reproduction more than any inventors of 'subjectivist foo'!

Why?

They think that all there is to know is already known (and proven by measurements), so they don't push boundaries far enough [often also dismissing out of hand that which doesn't 'fit' with their world view], in order to make new discoveries and thus allow proper progress to happen!!

Outside of computer audio, why else do you think that so little REAL progress has been made in the field of audio design, since the heyday of the 50s and 60s, and in terms of loudspeaker design, even earlier? The obsessive 'measurists' and rigid-thinking 'objectivists' in the industry have stifled real progress!

There's one for you to ponder, while I go out for my daily 5-mile power walk.........

I'm surprised that there has been no input or reaction to this post - too close for comfort, to a 'home truth' for some, perhaps?

Marco.

[farflungstar]

After you being controversial Marco..... Lol

[Marco]

Lol... Well, it's something that I truly do believe. Don't get me wrong, when designing equipment, technical measurements are vitally important and 100% necessary (to those who fully understand and know how to utilise them), but they're *not* the be-all-and-end-all, and don't always tell the full story...

It's my view that if a higher percentage of audio designers/electronics engineers trusted their ears and gut instincts more, and were more naturally inquisitive [practiced more lateral thinking], delving deeper into things that aren't explained by currently accepted wisdom, relying less on the contents of established textbooks, then more progress would've been made in the development and production of high-end audio equipment than so far has been the case.

Let's PUSH THOSE BOUNDARIES more and set higher standards!!

However, I also think that part of the problem is the fault of consumers for not being discerning enough and swallowing the notion that 'newest is always best', rather than challenging that conception and driving up standards, so that said ADs and EEs were forced to up their game accordingly and produce kit that genuinely excels, rather than is merely adequate or 'fit for purpose'!

It should of course be taken for granted that I'm not talking about any builders or designers here.

Anyway, let's have more *truly great* equipment produced, designed to be the BEST it possibly can, at a given price point, rather than simply of the 'meh' variety - and then just maybe some REAL progress will be made in today's audio industry.

Marco.

[farflungstar]

I agree completely.

[Marco]

We need more audio equipment designed for the *right reasons* (rather than simply boxes produced to fill a product range), with a passion and desire to create something truly special, at an affordable price, and where the money has been spent on where it matters most, 'under the hood', and not on superfluous frippery!

At the moment, most of the design focus is on 'meh' entry-level gear, or blinged-up 'badge-fi' only a Russian oligarch could afford... We need more equipment designed to satisfy the middle ground, aimed at *genuine enthusiasts*, which both truly provides an open window onto the music and is a pleasure to own.

Marco.

[farflungstar]

Ok so a few more words about the Truth.

Steve at Magna is going to make me a nice oiled walnut sleeve for it so it should then look presentable.

First the good - im still astonished by this thing - it passes on information that I never knew existed on my albums and surprises me with every listening. It's neither sterile nor coloured - it just not audible, not there.

It has a quirk - although it's permanently powered it genuinely improves over an hour or so of listening - though I can't explain in what way - it just does, maybe it's fluidity. And I realise this contradicts my 'not there' statement above.

Bad? I really would like a fixed balance point to know that my cart is aligned right, antiskate, azimuth all effect channel balance and without a perfect reference point it's difficult for someone anal like me to feel confident that the cart is operating at optimum. Saying that it all sounds superb and I'm finding it difficult to switch off the music after work and actually eat! That hasn't happened in a long time - putting on the stereo the moment I get in from work.

[Starterman]

We need more audio equipment designed for the *right reasons* (rather than simply boxes produced to fill a product range), with a passion and desire to create something truly special, at an affordable price, and where the money has been spent on where it matters most, 'under the hood', and not on superfluous frippery!

At the moment, most of the design focus is on 'meh' entry-level gear, or blinged-up 'badge-fi' only a Russian oligarch could afford... We need more equipment designed to satisfy the middle ground, aimed at *genuine enthusiasts*, which both truly provides an open window onto the music and is a pleasure to own.

Marco.

The Truth looks pretty flakey to me.
It might have been designed "for the right reasons", but its specification and claims don't seem to have much foundation.

[Marco]

I was making a general point, Dave, not necessarily one about 'The Truth' (which I haven't heard)

Marco.

[farflungstar]

The maker has divulged something of how it works to me but I'm keeping quiet about it. However, there are sound principles in the design.

Whilst I agree that ergonomically it isn't that great, and that even though I'm having it pimped up visually build quality isn't exactly in the same league as the rest of my gear and doesn't inspire confidence - however, the sonics justify any claims the maker makes about it.

Please understand that if you haven't heard it you can't understand what it does and what you are in fact missing from vinyl - it breathes music, data retrieval - if it was cut in the lacquer, no matter how subtle, you will hear it (depending in the quality of your amps). There is no blurring, no softened dynamics - but it isn't analytical.

I don't like the product - but the sound is addictive.