The Audiophile Thread

[Jerjo]

I've never quantified the live vs recorded experience but yeah, I've noticed my ear can pick it up almost immediately.

[rcarlberg]

Jerjo, any guesses what that is?

[Jerjo]

I've thought about it but I can't quite put my finger on it. I have noticed a few times walking in or by brew pubs or whatever when there's music playing and I pretty much know there's a part of my hearing that perks up if it's live, not Memorex. Now, I have been fooled before but there is a quality that can't be replicated, a presence that canned music just doesn't have. I know that sounds rather nebulous. Maybe it comes from hearing a lot of live music? I bet someone like Sean Tonar would have even a keener ear for it.

[moecurlythanu]

Live music has an immediacy, a presence, that recorded music does not. I think the subconscious mind recognizes it right away.

[hFx]

More dynamics, less processing... and yes, even more dynamics.

[proggy_jazzer]

Interesting topic, and something I've noticed as well. I think that overall balance between/among the instruments is also a factor. Studio or professionally recorded live music nearly always has more of a smooth blend between the instruments than mixed-on-the-fly live music, where drums, amplified horns or vocals, or electric guitar/bass can easily dominate or stand out.

[rcarlberg]

Hadn't thought of that, but yeah, that's true.

[Jerjo]

For those seeking audio porn, someone compiled their favorite photos from the Hoffman forum's "post photos of your system/rooms here". Some incredible rigs here:

https://imgur.com/a/rmyDfgd

[rcarlberg]

Almost all of them are in rooms too small to develop any bass notes. Most of them have the speakers up on stands, so they're decoupled from the floor. A lot of them have the speakers way too close to the walls, which will cause reflections.

A lot of 1970s technology on display: LPs and KLH and Advent.

Hint: 1970 was not the peak of high fidelity.

[Zeuhlmate]

But have HiFi as in soundquality peaked in any decade?

Its my impression that the producers goes for the money, which today is streaming and integration with moving pictures, more than perfection in sound.

[rcarlberg]

But have HiFi as in soundquality peaked in any decade?

Nostalgia for the 1970s is peaking.

[Zeuhlmate]

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.

[Firth]

But have HiFi as in soundquality peaked in any decade?

Its my impression that the producers goes for the money, which today is streaming and integration with moving pictures, more than perfection in sound.

Disagree. Go to an AMC Dolby Cinema. Sound in theatres is advancing and now will give high dollar home systems a run for their money. Prog is stuck in the 70’s wrt to sound quality and immersion.

[Zeuhlmate]

If you are after 'realism' e.g. the music should sound like the band /orchestra / choir / is in front of you with precise staging etc., no more no less - then the sound you get with surround or cinemas etc. is not for you.

But not all music is produced that way. Some is made to impress or with effects suited for surround /cinema sound etc.

[progmatist]

Its my impression that the producers goes for the money, which today is streaming and integration with moving pictures, more than perfection in sound.

Producers today are married to the idea of brickwalled loudness. If music suddenly becomes inaudible, millennials who believe they're expert multi-taskers will lose interest pretty quickly.

[Buddhabreath]

Almost all of them are in rooms too small to develop any bass notes.

Yes and I would take it further. In my view (informed by legendary audio designer Roy Allison), the room is an intrinsic and vital part of the sound system. My experience is that good speakers can sound great in a good room, excellent speakers can sound bad in a dead room. Installing a 100K system in a crappy little room with low ceilings is like driving a Lamborghini in rush hour traffic.

[BobM]

Anyone on this thread from Denver? Did you go to RMAF (Rocky Mountain Audio Fest) this weekend?

[rcarlberg]

... is like driving a Lamborghini in rush hour traffic.

The stereo overheats and leaks oil?

[Buddhabreath]

^^^
No it has a satisfying rumble but doesn’t go anywhere.

[Firth]

https://www.avsforum.com/polk-introd...rray-speakers/

[Zeuhlmate]

Came home from vaccation.
Son (18 years) had held a party. Someone tried to find out how loud... a laptop could play...
Fuses blown in my Snell A II ... and the woofers...
Luckily tweeters and midranges seem to have survived.


Stupidity is the basic building block of the universe
FZ

Have to import fuses & new woofers from USA.
https://www.atomichifiandtv.com/snel...pricelist.html

For those few eventually interested:
The woofers have now been replaced with new, and sounds like a dream, the old ones were worn to pieces.
My Marantz CD16 KI has been repaired, so I am in heaven.
To top it (maybe) I have purchased an ear yoshino tube 864 preamp. Will recieve it in a couple of days.
Interesting how different and hopefully better it sounds.

[Jerjo]

Anyone heard about this? Might be trouble for Tidal.

https://www.amazon.com/b?node=14063680011

[Zeuhlmate]

Anyone heard about this? Might be trouble for Tidal.

https://www.amazon.com/b?node=14063680011

Interesting, but is it audible?
It makes no sense if the resolution is bigger than when it was recorded?

[rcarlberg]

It makes no sense if the resolution is bigger than when it was recorded?

Sacrilege!

Audiophiles require FLACs of their mono Edison cylinders.

[moecurlythanu]

Sacrilege!

Audiophiles require FLACs of their mono Edison cylinders.