Do we take this all a little too seriously?

[SLS]

Multi-tasking with some Mozart and back issues of Gramophone, I note that a correspondent wrote to the Editor in December 1929 in the following terms:

"People who formerly regarded the gramophone as a nuisance in interrupting conversation now listen spellbound to Beethoven and Mozart Symphonies, and even forget to drink their whisky and soda till the finale is over".

The same issue included a review of a 1 shilling kit to sharpen your gramophone needle, admittedly rather basic, comprising a clamp and some sandpaper.

Whilst the butler is down in the cellars getting another bottle of 15-year old malt and I search out one of my wife's nail files to polish up my Koetsu Urushi Gold, is this mutual obsession with audio nirvana just a little nuts? Or have I missed the point?

[jandl100]

Ah well, back in the day many, including professional musicians, claimed the audio systems available then were perfect and couldn't be distinguished from reality.
-- hard to believe now when you listen to scratchy early 78s and even earlier pre-electrical recordings. But there you go! - maybe we are equally deluding ourselves.
So I guess they were just as obsessed then as we are now.

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Hi
The pursuit of audio remains I think for many a great way to enjoy life, music is what it is all about. Back in good old 1929 there must have been some very good orchestras, perhaps this is what Gramaphone are referring to, the playing of the piece might have been incredible on that recording.

"Future Boy I'm sending you back to the future"

Talking about recordings http://sayingsandimages.com/mussorgsky-pictures-at-an-exhibition-muti-the-philadelphia-orchestra/
captures Muti conducting the Philadelphia orchestra, the venue of which sadly is long gone, now apparently a block of flats. Both the CD and LP versions of this recording are incredible.
looking at the video for the first time and playing back through very small speakers attached to my mintbox computer , I am similarly moved as the 1929 audience were with what is magnificent playing.

So its the playing, now put this same piece of music through the Yamaha hard disk, DBX150x Stereo coffee pre, Quad 405 and gale GS401a or 303 and ESL57 one is basically transported to the venue.

[PaulStewart]

The same issue included a review of a 1 shilling kit to sharpen your gramophone needle, admittedly rather basic, comprising a clamp and some sandpaper.
My late grandfather always said a hardwood needle or "thorn" as they were called, had the best tone. He had a device which would shape a matchstick into a playing needle. When I do use the old wind up, I still have several boxes of genuine HMV thorns and two boxes of HMV steel needles :)

[Floyddroid]

Indeed we do!

[walpurgis]

Ah well, back in the day many, including professional musicians, claimed the audio systems available then were perfect and couldn't be distinguished from reality.
-- hard to believe now when you listen to scratchy early 78s and even earlier pre-electrical recordings.

Have you heard a big vintage acoustic gramophone playing shellac records in good condition. A good one with a suitably huge horn (no jokes please), can sound remarkable.

[BTH K10A]

Have you heard a big vintage acoustic gramophone playing shellac records in good condition. A good one with a suitably huge horn (no jokes please), can sound remarkable.

The EMG Model 10 sounds fabulous as does the HMV 203 which is why they sell for mucho spondooliks

[awkwardbydesign]

There are those who say that vinyl records were a step back from 78s!
And on the subject of musicians saying system X or Y was perfect- again I remember reading the suggestion that classical musicians in particular carry the music around in their heads and just need a system that reminds them how the piece goes; they fill in the details from their memories. Remembering Andre Previn promoting something or other, I can see what they mean!

[loo]

The EMG Model 10 sounds fabulous as does the HMV 203 which is why they sell for mucho spondooliks

Hell Yeah My Grandad had a HMV 202 ,I loved cranking it up as a kid and what a sound
It was just like this one


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmhwM2FYU9w

[Light Dependant Resistor]

Really enjoyed that !

Going back to the late 1970's I remember hearing some Klipsch la scala's, a nice dynamic speaker, and still made today So yes horns are a good way of doing speakers ( and in the case of the la scalas having your neighbours hearing everything, as its hard turning such a speaker down )

[SLS]

I was also wondering if anyone has a system so good that they have forgotten to polish off their whisky and soda until the last note has faded away into the distance.

Having just acquired a hifi unit that most think is a drinks cabinet I'm a likely candidate, but I don't drink a lot (unless it contains caffeine).

[Gordon Steadman]

I was also wondering if anyone has a system so good that they have forgotten to polish off their whisky and soda until the last note has faded away into the distance.

Having just acquired a hifi unit that most think is a drinks cabinet I'm a likely candidate, but I don't drink a lot (unless it contains caffeine).

Yup,

I don't drink spirits but I often find a cup of coffee that has to be put in the microwave (instant coffee obviously) after I have found it cold by the listening chair. I have been listening to the same system for 25 years and it never fails to draw me into the music.

PS OK I've now changed the amp and phono to Firebottle units but the changes are subtle and I still enjoy it all just as much.

[struth]

Not having much to compare my systems with(and that may be a good thing), I cannot say with confidence that it is really good, but it sounds wonderful to me. All 3 systems sound different but all have their respective charms...does not stop mW trying to improve it though..that is part of the fun but with my very limited finances it probably won't get much better, that is if it can

[struth]

I NEVER forget to polish of the Bourbon or Malt though....NEVER!