AudioNervosa
Recently Diagnosed => New Member Introductions => Topic started by: Nick B on February 12, 2018, 02:37:02 PM
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We have a new member, Tam Lin. Please extend a warm welcome!
Nick
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Always good to welcome a new member.
Hope you enjoy yourself at a great site.
Don
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Welcome aboard, Tam!
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Welcome aboard Tam.
steve
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Music was always a part of my life. All the kids in my family were required to study piano for a year. After my year at the keyboard, I studied violin for two years. I then took up folk guitar and 5-string banjo.
The family audio system was a Grundig console radio and a Gerard record changer. After I graduated high school, I moved out, got a job, and was able to afford a slightly better class of audio from the used equipment shelves in the local audio store, and later, Heathkit and Dynakit. I also made a couple of big speakers using JBL components. I like the dynamics of horn speakers.
Then I discovered my true calling: computers. I got a programming job that paid real money, which allowed me to dive into the high-end pool. My first real audio system was Magnapan, Spectral, and Linn. That was before the audio world was subjected to “Perfect Sound, Forever.” I didn’t like the sound of the first, second or third generation digital audio but what could I do? Because a lot of the music I wanted was only available on CD, I had to go digital and I got a Wadia DAC and a Sony CDP.
Fast-forward a dozen years when I got a windfall and upgraded to Avantgarde Trios with a Hovland HP-100, Art Audio Jota monoblocks and SME 30 with SME IV-Vi arm. At the time, I auditioned the crème de la crème of digital gear but nothing sounded better than my Wadia. What’s more, after a dozen years working with the best and brightest in Silicon Valley, I acquired some understanding of good digital system design. The high-end gear I auditioned was over-priced, poorly designed, ill-sounding crap.
Fast-forward to 2018. My audio system is showing its age. The pre and amps are in need of referb but the respective makers are out of business. In addition, 32B output tubes are hard to find. It’s time for another total system update.
However, here’s the problem. I’ve been out of the high-end scene for over 15 years but I’ve spent the last few months trying to get caught up. I read equipment reviews in the magazine and on the web and then seek out the items that I might like based on the reviews, but what I hear does not match what I read. Maybe the meaning the words have changed in a “Through the Looking Glass” kind of way. On the other hand, maybe the sound today’s audiophiles prefer is nothing like the sound of the real acoustic instruments I have played my whole life.
Do audiophiles even know what real acoustic instruments sound like? I went to RMAF some years ago where they had a concert given by a popular singer-pianist accompanied by bass and drums. It was billed as a way for RMAF attendees to calibrate their hearing to the sound of the “real thing” to better judge the sound of the equipment in the exhibitor’s rooms. I got there early and picked a seat close to the stage. I’ve done some preforming myself and I know what a live, singer with acoustic piano, bass and drums sounds like. Before the show started someone tapped my on the shoulder and said I should move further back because it was going to be loud. I heeded the advice and as I walked to the back of the room I noticed most of the attendees were wearing earplugs! Then the show started and it was LOUD! Maybe the next time I audition high-end equipment I should wear earplugs.
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Music was always a part of my life. All the kids in my family were required to study piano for a year. After my year at the keyboard, I studied violin for two years. I then took up folk guitar and 5-string banjo.
The family audio system was a Grundig console radio and a Gerard record changer. After I graduated high school, I moved out, got a job, and was able to afford a slightly better class of audio from the used equipment shelves in the local audio store, and later, Heathkit and Dynakit. I also made a couple of big speakers using JBL components. I like the dynamics of horn speakers.
Then I discovered my true calling: computers. I got a programming job that paid real money, which allowed me to dive into the high-end pool. My first real audio system was Magnapan, Spectral, and Linn. That was before the audio world was subjected to “Perfect Sound, Forever.” I didn’t like the sound of the first, second or third generation digital audio but what could I do? Because a lot of the music I wanted was only available on CD, I had to go digital and I got a Wadia DAC and a Sony CDP.
Fast-forward a dozen years when I got a windfall and upgraded to Avantgarde Trios with a Hovland HP-100, Art Audio Jota monoblocks and SME 30 with SME IV-Vi arm. At the time, I auditioned the crème de la crème of digital gear but nothing sounded better than my Wadia. What’s more, after a dozen years working with the best and brightest in Silicon Valley, I acquired some understanding of good digital system design. The high-end gear I auditioned was over-priced, poorly designed, ill-sounding crap.
Fast-forward to 2018. My audio system is showing its age. The pre and amps are in need of referb but the respective makers are out of business. In addition, 32B output tubes are hard to find. It’s time for another total system update.
However, here’s the problem. I’ve been out of the high-end scene for over 15 years but I’ve spent the last few months trying to get caught up. I read equipment reviews in the magazine and on the web and then seek out the items that I might like based on the reviews, but what I hear does not match what I read. Maybe the meaning the words have changed in a “Through the Looking Glass” kind of way. On the other hand, maybe the sound today’s audiophiles prefer is nothing like the sound of the real acoustic instruments I have played my whole life.
Do audiophiles even know what real acoustic instruments sound like? I went to RMAF some years ago where they had a concert given by a popular singer-pianist accompanied by bass and drums. It was billed as a way for RMAF attendees to calibrate their hearing to the sound of the “real thing” to better judge the sound of the equipment in the exhibitor’s rooms. I got there early and picked a seat close to the stage. I’ve done some preforming myself and I know what a live, singer with acoustic piano, bass and drums sounds like. Before the show started someone tapped my on the shoulder and said I should move further back because it was going to be loud. I heeded the advice and as I walked to the back of the room I noticed most of the attendees were wearing earplugs! Then the show started and it was LOUD! Maybe the next time I audition high-end equipment I should wear earplugs.
Welcome again and great post. You being a musician and having that background is not something I can relate to. Certainly the limited live performances I’ve been to can sound wonderful, warm and tube like. But they don’t offer the detail, soundstage and air of the artificial home environment I’m used to.
So rather than pursue what I’m really not familiar with, I gravitate toward that which I simply like and enjoy. I recently sold my two way speakers that provided great dynamics and had a “presence “ that I
miss. Auditioning a full range single driver recently left me wanting a bit more and that single driver most likely fit the bill of providing a more “natural” presentation. At least thats what I speculate.
There are a lot of sharp guys here whose opinions I find very valuable and informative. They may be quite beneficial to you as well. I hope you enjoy the forum and look forward to more of your oosts.
Nick
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Hello, Tam.
Welcome to AN.
Michael
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Tam, welcome!
I read our post twice and sat here nodding twice in appreciation.
Without the real world reference of live performance where do we go to seek "right"? Not 'accurate' because that is an unattainable goal in recorded music. Again, if the only POV is a (C)rap concert what the heck is a person going to take away from that as reality in reproduction? I order to fully appreciate what an excellent system does we have to know what a piano, guitar, harp, horn section, human voice sounds like in close proximity. So much of today's recording is squashed, processed, under moved and 'fixed in the mix' that it removes the humanity from from the performance. Musicality has been usurped by detail and squeeky clean.
I think that there are a bunch of people here that feel pretty much like you do. You'll be a good fit and I look forward to seeing a lot more from you.
Welcome aboard.
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Thank you all for the warm welcome. I think I'm going to like it here.
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Tam, I like the way you think. :thumb:
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Tam could not agree more. Welcome. We can help you out no problem. Horns eh, A single driver fan here. Lamm ML2 one day.
charles
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Hi Tam!
Welcome! Horns Rule! (& so do tubes)!
Cheers,
Pete
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Hello, Tam. And welcome to Audio Nervosa!
Paul