audiomagnate
Addicted Member
I read all the time about how great, revealing speakers demand to be fed superb recordings to sound their best and I certainly don't disagree with that, but after a few months in their latest configuration (room position/speaker position and finalized (maybe?) fine adjustments of EQ and crossover settings on my DCX2496, I can listen to damn near anything and enjoy it. A lot! What I have a problem with is the oft stated contention that less than optimal recordings sound objectionable, or even unlistenable on the best speakers.
These are the monstrous 350 pound FF1's - that sat for years on Barter Town BTW - (purchased from awesome AKer Kurtgo) that were upgraded with six Monsoons and double Aurum Cantus ribbon tweeters per side. I took them another step with triamping with a DCX2496 and radically different crossover points and slopes (2K LR4 vs 7K 1st order on the mid to tweets and LR4 on the woofer/mid and some DSP room tuning of the woofer section with REW and my ears). Even 80's digital recordings sound really nice (I avoided them in the past because of harshness/blare/compression etc.) as does really old stuff like Billy Holiday. I still listen mostly to 24 bit, but my long idle record (yes, I still call them records) collection is getting used again and Diana Krall is getting a long needed rest. Good 24 bits sound damn near real, but everything else just sounds plain wonderful, just not as goose bump inducingly "real."
Could I have finally reached audio nirvana or am I just getting complacent in my old age? Before people start attacking my hearing, it poops out at 13 to 14K, which ain't THAT bad. It might even be time to get another 78 rig together. Hmmm.
These are the monstrous 350 pound FF1's - that sat for years on Barter Town BTW - (purchased from awesome AKer Kurtgo) that were upgraded with six Monsoons and double Aurum Cantus ribbon tweeters per side. I took them another step with triamping with a DCX2496 and radically different crossover points and slopes (2K LR4 vs 7K 1st order on the mid to tweets and LR4 on the woofer/mid and some DSP room tuning of the woofer section with REW and my ears). Even 80's digital recordings sound really nice (I avoided them in the past because of harshness/blare/compression etc.) as does really old stuff like Billy Holiday. I still listen mostly to 24 bit, but my long idle record (yes, I still call them records) collection is getting used again and Diana Krall is getting a long needed rest. Good 24 bits sound damn near real, but everything else just sounds plain wonderful, just not as goose bump inducingly "real."
Could I have finally reached audio nirvana or am I just getting complacent in my old age? Before people start attacking my hearing, it poops out at 13 to 14K, which ain't THAT bad. It might even be time to get another 78 rig together. Hmmm.
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