How far is too far?

[Meliboeus]

I think that usually people who care a lot about sound quality are also critical music listeners, really interested in what they know and like...so it is difficult to neglect music compeltely and become paranoid with equipment...but there's still this risk....it this might sound a paradox, but the real treshold of having gone too far is when you stop caring about your system, just because your standard of "decent quality" has become a live orchestra and you have stopped listening to recorded music, then you have really gone too far

 

[Golden Monkey]

I think the ultimate "too-far" is when you start feeling like the problem is with your ears (unless, of course, it actually IS), and you doubt everything you hear.

As an aside to that, I had been thinking somethign was wrong with my HD650's...I had a set that I returned to this grey-market Amazon person because they were defective...the left channel was noticeably quieter than the left. Anyway, my newer ones are fine, but I was so paranoid about them that I eventually convinced myself that THESE ones had the same problem (the ones I returned really were defective though). Sometimes I'd "notice" this, other times not. I eventually started thinking "maybe it's my ears...OMG, I'm going deaf in the left!" because no one else heard this. I had a slight ear infection recently in the left, and after it cleared up, I got some Debrox (era wax removal aid) and cleaned the gunk out of my ears...well, guess what? Bigass plug of wax in my left ear...problem solved. HD650's sound divine...

 

[Dexon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by larry.said /img/forum/go_quote.gif At some point, you will reproduce exactly the original recording, but you can't go further than that.

Problem is microphones hear music differently from humans and therfore original can't be reached. We around here are used to headphones which are easiest way to achive near perfect listening conditions but they'll never soundstage properly no matter how good they are. On the other hand you need to spend thousands on speaker rig and turn your room into space capsule to get close to the real thing.

 

[nd4speed]

Too far?
I suppose in a nutshell you've gone too far when you're love of music is replaced by a love of gear. Nothin saying you can't do both though

 

[larry.said]

Everyone has their own audio innocence (naivety wtv). My dad for example can't tell the difference between the TVs speakers and my K701s, to him everything sounds the same. To others, there is this innate desire to always get a better sound. Someone may love their system, thinking its the best sound there ever was when others think its pure crap... The point is, once you get started, it seems you can never quit, at least until you have no more money. You'll never have the best system because someone on this site will advertise a better cable, or a better power cord or a better volume pot...you become so concentrated on ever little component of your system and you eventually lose the forest for the trees. The phrase "your system is only as strong as its weakest link" starts to drive you insane o.O

 

[nor_spoon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tfarney /img/forum/go_quote.gif It doesn't sound crazy to me. "Too far" is when you sit there, looking through your CD (or album or music files) collection, and find yourself skipping over really good music because it doesn't "sound" good enough. And of course, that's just the audiophile entry drug. You've really crossed over to the dark side when you find yourself buying "audiophile" recordings, not because you actually like Dianna Krall (just an example, maybe not even a good one) better than Bruce Springsteen, but because the recording makes your gear sound better. Too far. Stupid far. Been there, done that. Turned around and walked away. Tim

On the other hand, getting a better setup has made me explore new artists, and getting into musical genres that I probably would not have otherwise.

 

[larry.said]

Quote:

Originally Posted by nor_spoon /img/forum/go_quote.gif On the other hand, getting a better setup has made me explore new artists, and getting into musical genres that I probably would not have otherwise.

I must say jazz never sounded so good through my K701s

 

[dgbiker1]

I realized one day that it was silly to try to reproduce the sound you would hear in the studio, you're never going to hear that sound. Before the recording ever passes through your equipment it's been altered by room acoustics, microphone placement, microphone frequency response, preamps, equalizers, A/D then D/A conversion, etc... A perfectly neutral system still wouldn't sound like the real thing.

Now I'm more focused on getting something that sounds GOOD. Ironically going towards something a little warmer and less analytical the sound feels more real, the gut feeling and emotion is back even though the reproduction isn't technically perfect.

 

[GreatDane]

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggf /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm just now rediscovering the joys of tone controls - bass and treble - to make poorly-recorded but good music tolerable again. I would have considered tone controls blasphemy (or is it heresy?) just as recently as a couple three years ago.

Ah yes...enter Aphex 204.

Is it magic? No but it's a fun toy. My step above "tone controls".

I agree that not all "old" recording suck. I have many that sound great...although I'm not into vinyl so I have to settle for the digital equivalent.

 

[pabbi1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgbiker1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I realized one day that it was silly to try to reproduce the sound you would hear in the studio, you're never going to hear that sound. Before the recording ever passes through your equipment it's been altered by room acoustics, microphone placement, microphone frequency response, preamps, equalizers, A/D then D/A conversion, etc... A perfectly neutral system still wouldn't sound like the real thing.

And, often is the case that music does not AT ALL happen in the studio the way we hear it anyway - often most parts are done in isolation, or say just rythm section, or guitar being (endlessly) overdubbed. The reality is that most studio work (yes, there are some exceptions, like direct to disc) is simply not capturing the entire band with all parts being played simultaneously, so we are deluded to think that is how a recording is being put together.

 

[928GTS]

I think the one thing that bugs me is when people get so obsessed over what other people say about components that when they buy a piece of equipment that they feel is good and then look at a forum where people say its crap they all of a sudden feel horribly. Don't take opinions too seriously,always leave the final judgment for when you receive the product and listen to it with your *own* ears. Each person has a very different set of ears and therefore what may sound great to one person may sound crummy to another. In the end its all about YOUR personal enjoyment! Who cares if the amp you bought was flamed by nearly everyone in the forum? If you dig it then thats all that matters,its your money,your outlay and your decision.

When it comes to audio people should take other people's opinions and consider them certainly but they should take them lightly because everyone's ear responds differently. Everyone's brain has a completely different definition of what sound "good" to them. So the basic overall thing I'm trying to get at is try and find the sound *you* want. Forget about the brands,the elitists telling you you're full of **** and whatnot. In the end if you like what you're hearing then consider it mission accomplished.

 

[atbglenn]

928GTS

You are so right!

 

[digger945]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pabbi1 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Like any of us here would notice that?

What?

 

[Spareribs]

It's impossible to find audio perfection. Part of the reason why many audiophiles are into this hobby is because of the fascination with electronics and gear. I admit that I am facinated. But in the end, it's all about hearing the music better than the boom box type of sound system that most people have.

All you really need is some good vintage speakers and amp, a decent DAC or CD player and it will sound great. A good turntable is a bonus too. Everything else is icing on the cake if you take it further. Becoming obsessed with the icing on the cake is not good if it gets in the way of enjoying the music. Beware of this pitfall. If you can balance that and still enjoy music like a non audiophile, then don't worry be happy. Audiophilia is a blessing in this regard.

 

[928GTS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spareribs /img/forum/go_quote.gif It's impossible to find audio perfection. Part of the reason why many audiophiles are into this hobby is because of the fascination with electronics and gear. I admit that I am facinated. But in the end, it's all about hearing the music better than the boom box type of sound system that most people have. All you really need is some good vintage speakers and amp, a decent DAC or CD player and it will sound great. A good turntable is a bonus too. Everything else is icing on the cake if you take it further. Becoming obsessed with the icing on the cake is not good if it gets in the way of enjoying the music. Beware of this pitfall. If you can balance that and still enjoy music like a non audiophile, then don't worry be happy. Audiophilia is a blessing in this regard.

Besides you'll find yourself finding increasing sums of money for continually dwindling returns.