]eep
Headphoneus Supremus
After reading the last page of posts, I think you are all right. Each from their perspective. I believe there can be only one absolute truth, but that doesn't mean it's simple. Environment or tiny variations can make experiments unrepeatable. Just be aware when they're unfalsifiable (once you twisted the screw and 'released the tension' you can't undo it by twisting it again). You might be fooling yourself or others.
Some people sell snake oil, but you don't get into a generally improfitable business if you don't like it. So most often it's not malintent. I do find sometimes some people have turned cynical or callous from not being successful for the longest time and feel exploited for their enthusiasm. They're just like people.
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I can imagine how you can be blown away by something far more than expected. I just started playing mono vinyl with a real mono top of the line cartridge (until recently, Miyajima Zero). I have so many old mono recordings to warrant that. You would think it's the wrong way forward. I expected less campfire noise at the cost of soundstage and a bit stale sound. Boy was I wrong. Sound is big and bold, fast, dynamic and with an unbelievable naturalness. And such a quiet background on all but >70 y/o or beat up disc's. It's like stepping into a time machine. So real.
We made so much progress over the last 70 years. But has it really gotten better? Yes we have pulled the sound into 2 dimensions, or even 3, but has it really improved the feeling of 'being there'?
If I listen to the same records on YouTube, over the Ares (no blame, I mean not the weak link), sometimes even the same cartridge, it sounds whimpy, different, not as engaging. So yes, there's still ground to be gained.
Some people sell snake oil, but you don't get into a generally improfitable business if you don't like it. So most often it's not malintent. I do find sometimes some people have turned cynical or callous from not being successful for the longest time and feel exploited for their enthusiasm. They're just like people.
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I can imagine how you can be blown away by something far more than expected. I just started playing mono vinyl with a real mono top of the line cartridge (until recently, Miyajima Zero). I have so many old mono recordings to warrant that. You would think it's the wrong way forward. I expected less campfire noise at the cost of soundstage and a bit stale sound. Boy was I wrong. Sound is big and bold, fast, dynamic and with an unbelievable naturalness. And such a quiet background on all but >70 y/o or beat up disc's. It's like stepping into a time machine. So real.
We made so much progress over the last 70 years. But has it really gotten better? Yes we have pulled the sound into 2 dimensions, or even 3, but has it really improved the feeling of 'being there'?
If I listen to the same records on YouTube, over the Ares (no blame, I mean not the weak link), sometimes even the same cartridge, it sounds whimpy, different, not as engaging. So yes, there's still ground to be gained.