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What type of playback system do you prefer? #2........

automojo

automojo

OurBandCouldBeYourLife
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This, sort of, is meant to be a extension of the now closed "is audio quality desirable".
I thought there was some interesting takes for sure, in between the other stuff.
Do you prefer a more revealing playback system, smoother/musical, or some where in between?
And if, and how your playback system has involved, for what ever reason, different formats, sources etc. HD/lossless……..whatever.....exclusive to certain playback formats etc..
I'm using these terms as generalizations. I think most here having and idea what I mean, with out fine labeling/etc.
My two systems has involved into what I consider the perfect compromise for my modded AMT3's-sporting the Great Heils. In a nut shell those mods mainly concerned getting the bass on par with the Great Heil-it worked better then I imagined-these things rock!. The level of bass detail-frankly is one of the best I can recall hearing. Clearly on par with the Heil.
Lots of work-with a equal share of luck....
But the Heil can be very revealing in the highs. mids, so I tried to evolve into a system, that takes the edge off a bit, without killing the detail, speed and rhythm. Easier said then done, but for the most part it works well. And with a few minor adjustments I can easily switch to a more revealing system.
A careful mix of tube front end, vintage style DAC's, robust power supply fast slew, amplification, mild spatial, and bass adjustments-no electronic crossovers, mini DSP, pc programs etc-a Fox SS-X does the lion's share when needed.
Have not ventured into lossless-but I imagine I will at some point. I have so many different sources of cool material, it's not a high priority.
My system isn't state of the art, but it's a 'work of art' in its own right, a means to a ends, with lots of trial and error over the years-but lot's of knowledge and understanding gained over those years....kinda paralleling my own life in many ways...….
 
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I gotta admit, I enjoy "playing with" my system(s) as much as playing music. I do vinyl, cassette, and R2R when I want to play with my system. Then its usually high bitrate MP3's and a computer when I want to listen to music. If that makes any sense. However, some of that is changing as I'm digging out, and firing up some golden oldies from my "stash". (Equipment, I mean.)
 
I noticed a YouTube recording of a "lossless" example of music sounded remarkable.
Clean and accurate however how much music is actually recorded this well or even necessary.
I'd think any genre would benefit, perhaps not so much.;)
 
tubed said:
I have no idea what the OP of that thread was getting at, perhaps period music should be listened to on that periods sound system:dunno:
I'm not in the recording business and have zero interest in that process however I do enjoy finding well recorded music regardless of era.
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Yep, I feel the same way...I just found some of the thoughts, and opinions interesting along the line I mentioned.
I don't blame you on the recording in...I had some fun with relatively simple stuff years back-with luck and some common sense, you can get you the idea of what was going on.
I'm not sure if I agree with period music, and period sound systems......but I can see a good mix for sure!!
 
I like a balanced sound signature, mostly tilted the "warm" side. Within 40 - 18.000 +-3dB.
I have no problem with "revealing" speakers - but not if it's just a boost in the highs for the sake of "clarity".

Listening to music from a era and playing it back with gear from that era - certainly fun, awesome, stylish and will sound authentic!
 
tubed said:
I noticed a YouTube recording of a "lossless" example of music sounded remarkable.
Clean and accurate however how much music is actually recorded this well or even necessary.
I'd think any genre would benefit, perhaps not so much.;)
Click to expand...

All I can hear is an echoey room? :)
 
What type of playback system do you prefer? #2


Musical.


I have multiple systems, some with Heritage Klipsch speakers, others with vintage AR, or Infinity, etc. All have their own unique way of reproducing what's been recorded, some might find Klipsch too polarizing, AR too truthful, Infinity too laid back, I take them for what they are and enjoy the music.

If I'm in the mood to be transported to the venue then it's the Infinitys, if I want Mick and the boys at my digs I crank up the Klipsch. With either I'm grinning from ear to ear, there is no right or wrong here. If your toes are tappin then things are all right.

It's way too easy to over analyze things, the OP in the other thread forgot it's about the music man.
 
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I too, have multiple systems, and different "styles" of speakers from different manufacturers. It is kind of fun to listen to the same recording on different systems, or even just different speakers on a given system, and note the variations in "presentation".

The whole "period piece" concept is cool, as well. I listen to a lot of 70's rock, and I have a system set up to play just that--Technics SL-1200, Yammie CR-3020, and JBL speakers (L100's and/or 4312C's). Not sure if anyone is familiar, but the Academy of Ancient music has recorded quite a few classical pieces on "museum piece" instruments that were built during the time that the pieces were originally scored. It is amazing how different it sounds when compared to a modern orchestra with modern instruments.

I've posted this in many other threads, but "resolution" of a system is a "doubled-edged sword". Great recordings can sound absolutely amazing, but mediocre or poor recordings can sound absolutely awful. A highly resolving system can reproduce every detail and nuance of a great recording, but can also reveal every flaw or shortcoming of a lesser recording equally well. Pick your poison...
 
I like a you are there presentation but without harshness for serious listening. Though I would love a reel to reel setup practically dictates records and CDs. SEUL KT88s powering OB speakers and a sub. Plan is to go all tube except the sub amp once I get everything built.

The computer system is utility oriented with solid state mini amp driving salvaged 8" console speakers with 3" cone tweets and an 8" sub.
 
I have multiple systems of different types. I like them all for what they do, and do different than the others.

I am/was a bass head and everything had to be bass heavy, so my system with an Odyssey Stratos Plus driving Dynaudios gives me that.
Then I learned about good midrange, the tone of instruments, the difference between flat wound and round wound bass strings, so my mostly Tube setup does that for me.
My third system is just for non critical listening but gives me speed and crispy highs and the best imaging of all my systems due to speaker placement.
4th system is my HT setup which utilizes my main Tube rig for Front L&R.
Then I have my little Office system also with Dynaudio speakers that I enjoy for background music.
 
Built my system to sound good for me in my space.....
It's a tool to listen to music, once set I'm done.
The goal?
To sound good and work every time I press the power buttons.

Front End
Turntables
Reel to Reel, 7.5 & 15 IPS
CDP, that plays all CDs
Computer as a Server setup on a 24 bit WiFi
McIntosh D100 for DAC duty
Marantz PMD580, digital recorder and playback
 
I would prefer a $$$,$$$ system in a "properly" set-up dedicated room (its actually a detached building) like one of my uncles has. But since I listen to music not a system I am okay with everything from earbuds to the $$$,$$$ system, everything has its place.

:beerchug:
 
I was sold on the type of sound I liked a long long time go, Full band width, a firm slightly warm bass with a very accurate range from 200 to 3000 and then. with the appropriate roll off depending on the source of the recording and the size of the hall. Studio recordings where mics are placed with in 6 inches of any instrument don't really interest me. I also believe in a minimum number of mics and a minimum number if knobs to be diddled with. OLD Mercury recordings could be placed to close and some times Telarc recordings became to hard. Sheffields were about perfect with Harry James and Ormandy in LA. Command did some nice classical stuff and did Basie well most of the time. Just stay away from Enochs percussion record series. Tony Matola was nice as was DOC. Changing to a small Diaphram mic for Doc on Telarc was all wrong. Ribbons have their uses. If you have done PA for BIG Band and Swing Band in addition to recording I prefer the sound maybe 50 ft back just a bit off to the side. Buddy Gave me and my Boss fits. Ray was cool as were other big groups. I DID PA for a lot of Country Starts, and Charlie Pride was my Favorite. I Like Ernie Ford, too. But. But Classical is my thing. I only live 42 mile from the Bridge attending Concerts around the Bay Area was at least once a month. we weren't rich so I sat further back maybe up a bit. But that's what I liked. When I moved to the great vast land of west Texas when I turned 15 we were suffering a bit. With only two college orchestras and one community orchestra. Stereo was the market and a year later I had my first Frazier Stevens Scott system. Not bass but what the Hell. Working for a radio station allowed me to earn money so I could by Hardware from the local Hifi shop who were in cahoots with the CW Station. I had found the repLacements for my speakers in the 90's, but before I could commit the money they were not more. I tried again in 2000 and 2008 thru 2010. But most things I heard I could not stand for more than 14 minuets, some as few as 30 seconds. So unless I win the $20,000,000. in the Lottery I'll stick with what I have. I don't want to feel like I am in the presence of a speaker, so prefer to listen not closer than 15 ft. I am 17 ft now. I want a nicely focused wall of sound that I can close my eyes and see the musicians performing. My DAD was an award winning Concert Violinist and Baritone bass vocal
soloist. He had very nice diction and had perfect pitch. Which gave me fits when I was practicing my lower brass instrument studies. He liked my system and said don't replace it. You are close to real. With better electronics I still fee that way today.
 
Edit: Could be its own thread and I don’t want to derail this thread.
 
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Whatever recording medium I can find the music. Not sure the meaning of 'revealing' in the OP, but, no, I don't want any distortions to the signal I hear, no matter what the recording medium.
 
I have what I think is a pretty nice home system. I would call it somewhat "warm". I avoid harshness like the plague. Having said that, I really enjoy listening to my iPod in the car, so I guess I'm not too picky.
 
automojo said:
Do you prefer a more revealing playback system, smoother/musical, or some where in between?
Click to expand...
I've got three fairly tolerable mid-fi sit-down-and-listen systems; a crappy car stereo to blot out the diesely clatters and rattles in my old 4x4; an older home theatre setup; various ipad/ipod/phone/tablet gadgets; miscellaneous headphones and PCs, Pis and laptops; radios vintage and new; a SONOS; and a gaggle of electronic/electric/acoustic instruments. In short, I'm not picky: if it emits music, I like it.
 
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