The Vain Pursuit of Excellence - Discussion.

[Spectral Morn]

Clive writes for Enjoy the music
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazin...rs/meakins.htm

Thanks John.


Regards D S D L

[Spectral Morn]

I agree that having more than one system can have its benefits. I'd love to own a genuine top-notch all-vintage system housed in a separate room, as well as my current system - purely because I love the look and 'feel' of vintage gear, regardless of any aspects relating to sound quality.

However, I would not run more than one system simply to provide me with different types of musical and/or sonic presentation, as suggested by Clive. Each to his or her own of course, but as my current system does both 'edge-of-the-seat' and 'laid-back', depending on the type of music played, and also how loud I choose to listen, I have no need to seek either type of effect.

I understand what Clive means, of course, but if I'm listening to, say, some throbbing rock or thrash metal then I have the system (and particularly speakers) to create very serious SPLs and the most 'physical', visceral, 'edge-of-the-seat' sound you could possibly imagine outside of a live gig, when of course it is played at the appropriate volume.

The problem is, most systems can’t play seriously loud (thereby creating the desired 'edge-of-the-seat' excitement) and also sound fantastic at the same time by staying controlled and not losing the plot. I am fortunate that my system does this with relative ease. Similarly, it has the subtlety, finesse, delicacy and overall resolution to present more 'delicate' types of music in a highly relaxing and informative matter, again when played at the appropriate volume; thereby achieving the best of both worlds

Returning to Jerry's method, I think it's important to remember that he's not box-swapping to 'fix' problems or chase some unattainable goal, but rather to hear his favourite music reproduced in a different way and in turn unlock hitherto unheard information which provides him with greater insight into recordings that he's intimately familiar with.

If one is unperturbed by the 'hassle' this involves on a number of levels, I find his a laudable approach - and one that can potentially be highly rewarding

Both of my systems have a similar tonal balance and each share a lot of qualities with each other, but there is a difference in listening via small mini monitor types and larger full range speakers and this is where the main differences are. Weight and scale are different, but I love both set ups at the minute.

I could not do what Jerry does on many levels, but I too think its an interesting and informative approach, however with no fixed reference point making comparisons becomes harder I would have thought...over the long term.


Regards D S D L

[Marco]

Hi Neil,

Both of my systems have a similar tonal balance and each share a lot of qualities with each other, but there is a difference in listening via small mini monitor types and larger full range speakers and this is where the main differences are.

I know exactly what you mean and agree, having experienced this myself. However large (vintage) Tannoy dual-concentrics, upgraded with modern high quality crossovers, are the first speakers I've heard that do genuine scale and impact as well as provide the 'intimate' presentation you're referring to available with small mini-monitor loudspeakers.

I often sit gob-smacked at the amount of low-level detail retrieval, subtlety and 'presence' on offer from the Lockwoods when listening to music in the wee small hours at not much louder than a whisper. In effect, they 'behave' like the best small speakers when the need arises. However, a quick tweak of the volume knob also 'unleashes the beast' in a rather un-gentlemanly way...

It's nice to have both!

Marco.

[Clive]

There are many different approaches we can take and what works for Jerry is great for him and what works for me is great for me. In the end most important thing is to do what's best for one's self realising what it is you are doing. Where the thread started (I think) was endless box swapping in pursuit of the perfect sound. Maybe this also works for someone but I believe done on that basis such box swapping will only lead to longer term dissatisfaction. This is not at all what Jerry is doing.

As suggested by Neil there is more than one form of "laid-back". There's laid-back serious listening to music with scale and presence and there's laid-back more like background music. Anyway this starts to get into nit-picking details, we're all saying much the same thing.

[Varun]

Watch your hearing Marco- with the decibels it seems you are generating. I have suffered it is said because playing my Sony walkman with earplugs in TOO LOUD- said to be a dangerous tool- the ear phones.

Orchestral players are well known to suffer hearing loss- as they are sitting in the middle of very loud noise.

[Marco]

Hi Varun,

Watch your hearing Marco- with the decibels it seems you are generating.

Oh don't worry, I do. To be honest, the vast majority of my listening is done at medium to low levels, especially when on my own. It's not very relaxing being 'pummelled to death' when lying back reading a book or magazine!

However, much like driving a large car with a big engine, it's nice to be able to experience the thrill of 'putting your foot down' when the need arises and knowing that it can handle it with ease...

Marco.

[Varun]

But when the foot goes down on the accelerator- the paint flakes off the wall and tiles slide off the roof EH! Marco.

That is a teenager's lust Marco-we must all return to it, especially after a few beers.

CD system is good for playing music while you are doing something else. As for me cartridge wear is a prime consideration-not to forget that the blooming Class A things take 20-30 mts to warm up.

Therefore I only listen when I am ready to pay attention- meaning serious listening- so that I work through the music-bit by bit- until I know it better. What that means that unless it is challenging enough- it does not get past the intial phase. Therefore I rarely venture into music I do not know now adays-unless I hear on the radio.

Good tunes are simply not good enough now-I am sure Jerry would agree.

[Marco]

But when the foot goes down on the accelerator- the paint flakes off the wall and tiles slide off the roof EH! Marco.

LOL. Nope... Not if a system can handle it in its stride with ease. It's like doing 90 MPH on the motorway in a mini, and the same in a 3-litre BMW - the respective experiences are rather different!

Marco.

[Mike]

He's talking about blowing your house to bits, not yer system ya big eejit!

[Marco]

Aye, I know, but ma hoose is made from girders, so there's no chance... It's old and thick, just like me!

Marco.