Quote:
Originally Posted by SubseaTree /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Music is an extremely complex signal,and the perception of music and all the emotions it contains is yet more complex. Some are more sensitive than other to changes. Hence horses for courses, you need to listen for yourself before you lay your money down.
|
Either music is a signal, and therefore the object of perception, or it is a sensation, and therefore the experience of perceiving. Signals do not contain emotions (unless you want to talk neurophysiology). The signal is undoubtedly extremely complex; however, we have developed tools that can detect, measure, and analyze the electrical signals that create, through a transducer, the air pressures that are converted into sound in the ear with far more accuracy, definition, and reliability than the ear. Audible differences can be measured; unmeasured differences cannot be audible.
That said, there is a distinction between audible differences in a signal and quality differences in a sensation. You want a graph to prove that Pepsi tastes better than Coke; I say that such a graph cannot exist, because Coke tastes better. We could measure the differences--even graph them!--but to interpret those differences we would need to refer to our own experiences.
A perfectly flat frequency response is not necessarily the most enjoyable to listen to. A system that increases amplitude in the 2.5 kHz range and rolls off above 15 khz might sound more relaxed and laid back, but such a system will measure with a poor THD+N value. Some tube amps have an output impedance that will interact with fancy cables, causing "distortion" but really acting as a filter that makes listening more enjoyable. We cannot measure "good sound." So, yes, anyone should listen to a component--in their own system--before plunking down large bucks.
A DAC component isn't dependent solely on the integrated circuit that does the actual D/A conversion. All the other necessary electronics, mentioned earlier in this thread, can affect the signal--and thus the sound. And any audible difference should be able to be measured.
But not many people run around measuring stereo equipment. I doubt the tools are cheap to buy, and require some EE background to use properly. There isn't much demand for measurements: measuring well isn't a part of the high-end market. It should be. Yet most consumers conflate their experience of something sounding different with a belief of actual difference in the signal, and discard objective measurements and scientific understanding--and their wallets--in lieu of beliefs founded on emotions, expectations, and marketing cues.
So, how to make a decision? Looking at a component will provide some indication. Crowded, single-sided, poorly-soldered circuit boards indicate that the designer made cost- rather than quality-based choices. Designs that show less concern for low cost will probably measure better, as a perfect measurement is what the designer is aiming for (unless you're talking about boutique audiophile stuff). The signal is only part of a component: how does it look and feel, and how easy is it to use? Aesthetics are an important part of my listening routine, and affect my experience of listening.
On topic, a good CD player should be able to randomly access tracks (my remote has 1-16), should provide a good amount of sound while scanning, should skip from track to track quickly (when told to do so), the transport should be smooth and quiet, and the entire thing should be built to last (as the measurable quality will deteriorate as components age in a cheap device). I'm willing to pay more for a device that doesn't have any flimsy switches, and--in the absence of measurements--know that this unit isn't the weak component in the signal chain.
Consider automobiles. BMWs are worth more than Buicks, not just because they (may) accelerate, brake, and turn better--which are measurable--but because of different materials, tolerances, and design, are simply more enjoyable to use. While most people think paying $700 for a CD player that sounds the same as a $20 unit, they might better understand paying a $10,000 premium on a car that accelerates at the same rate. Me, I spend more time listening to music than driving, so I'll put my bucks there.
Er. That turned into a rant. Sorry.
Cheers!
