Natural Sound

[tima]

If you get a shock from your system after returning from a concert then your system isn’t natural sounding and one should have a rethink...

And if you go buy a recording of the same music, maybe you're on the right track?

 

[tima]

We already discussed this. We aspire to hear a sound which we think of as natural from our stereo systems.

The violinist who was made by his two human parents plays a song composed by a human on a violin made by a human in a hall build by humans.

Are you saying that the sound of that man made violin played in a man made concert hall by a man made violinist can not sound natural?

It seems most of us are trying to hear a sound from our systems that reminds us of that violinist playing in that hall. Would you rather have us discuss how unnatural our systems sound?

Perhaps someone should start a system thread called ‘Unnatural Sound from a Man Made HiFi System”.

There is a 'cultural' angle - or more a philosophical perspective no longer much in vogue - that man is not of nature. It's why animals don't have souls. All of which is irrelevant to this discussion.

Regardless what it is called, this: "It seems most of us are trying to hear a sound from our systems that reminds us of that violinist playing in that hall."

 

[christoph]

Looks like a trip to the Netherlands needs to be in the planning!

Shotgun

 

[tima]

This i agree, but the "industry" is to blame for it at least partly by making promises they do not keep..

Nah. I don't know a manufacturer or dealer who doesn't say "listen for yourself."

Don't blame someone else for your choices. The 'evolving audiophile' makes plenty of mistakes. It's part of coming to know what you want. Some get there earlier than others.

 

[morricab]

And if you go buy a recording of the same music, maybe you're on the right track?

Depends on the recording.

I have a recording of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet that was made with a single stereo ribbon microphone and minimal processing. It sounds more like mid-hall live than any other recording I have ever heard. I actually got to hear a live performance in Tonhalle Zurich where I was sitting mid-center...very similar to the recording and that is when I realized how well the recording captured a live feel from that distance.

 

[morricab]

Nah. I don't know a manufacturer or dealer who doesn't say "listen for yourself."

Don't blame someone else for your choices. The 'evolving audiophile' makes plenty of mistakes. It's part of coming to know what you want. Some get there earlier than others.

A lot of uncertain people rely upon "authority" to make choices...therefore, bad advice can steer someone on the wrong track.

 

[bonzo75]

I think many people start out wanting to hear music well reproduced in their home. Then they become audiophiles, read magazines and forums and get all screwed up.

Is true. For when they step out the dealer and hifi show play them cuddly sound audiophile CDs like Diana krall etc. As noobs they look up to those guys as experts. They then buy and sit with their system for a few years with slight changes here and there just enjoying the ride at best having their own sound as reference. Then they need to listen to a system that shocks them back to reality. Also many then surf and read on items similar to the one they are already owning and think that's the standard.

 

[Lampie519]

I don't know a manufacturer or dealer who doesn't say "listen for yourself.

I did mention the word "partly" ... not entirely

And yes, DIY is a path of errors.... but it can lead to some insight, some by accident as we all know (the greatest inventions where )

BTW i do not claim that i am an inventor by any means.... just very involved...

 

[tima]

A lot of uncertain people rely upon "authority" to make choices...therefore, bad advice can steer someone on the wrong track.

Yeah, that's true. Just as many ignore good advice. I can't remember any adage that says "choose your authorities wisely."

 

[tima]

Then they need to listen to a system that shocks them back to reality.

Or come here and you'll shock them

 

[bonzo75]

Yeah, that's true. Just as many ignore good advice. I can't remember any adage that says "choose your authorities wisely."

In audio authorities are not certified. Status is not earned. At best there can be an authority in a group. Like right now, Boston has many authorities. David is Peter's, Al is an authority on videos and on listening with eyes closed, Ack is his own counsel, etc

 

[christoph]

Is true. For when they step out the dealer and hifi show play them cuddly sound audiophile CDs like Diana krall etc. As noobs they look up to those guys as experts. They then buy and sit with their system for a few years with slight changes here and there just enjoying the ride at best having their own sound as reference. Then they need to listen to a system that shocks them back to reality. Also many then surf and read on items similar to the one they are already owning and think that's the standard.

Often (rather most) times people "only" upgrade within the brands they own
Sure it gets a little better every time but at what expense
People should be MUCH more open to other options, like Peter became

 

[tima]

In audio authorities are not certified. Status is not earned. At best there can be an authority in a group. Like right now, Boston has many authorities. David is Peter's, Al is a video authority, Ack is his own counsel, etc

When she's dancing next to me
I can hear machinery
Blinding me with science
- science!

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Yes, i also found Lowthers to be very dyamic and unparalleled..... unitl i head a direct driven full range ESL. That blew everything i heard away and i mean everything.... i was hooked for life....

Any vids of your system in action? Would love to get a feel.

 

[Lampie519]

Any vids of your system in action? Would love to get a feel

Unfortunately i have no good video recording device at hand. All i can say that the "sound" is very "delicate" (as a friend called it). a lot of detail and a big stage ( no boomy bass but extreemly controlled and detailed).

 

[tima]

BTW i do not claim that i am an inventor by any means.... just very involved...

That's good. I promise not to make any pig jokes.

 

[Lampie519]

Full range ESL's have this special quality everyone here knows of, just most (not all) are very boring to listen to all day... This is because of the transformer losses and the impossible way to drive them ...
All this can be solved with a DD amp (also not just any DD amp as also here we have differences). The other issue is size...if you want real life performance you need real life ESL's not toys...

 

[bonzo75]

Unfortunately i have no good video recording device at hand. All i can say that the "sound" is very "delicate" (as a friend called it). a lot of detail and a big stage ( no boomy bass but extreemly controlled and detailed).

I don't think electrostat videos come out well. Not sure why. One really needs to sit in the sweet spot to enjoy it

 

[morricab]

In audio authorities are not certified. Status is not earned. At best there can be an authority in a group. Like right now, Boston has many authorities. David is Peter's, Al is a video authority, Ack is his own counsel, etc

Oh, I thought you were the WBF authority, no?

 

[Lampie519]

I don't think electrostat videos come out well. Not sure why. One really needs to sit in the sweet spot to enjoy it

True, as reflections and beaming can be an issue, i made a great recording with a MD player once using Mic's glued on my headphones...