Describe ube sound vs solid state

"03-18-15: Csontos
What I find a little self-aggrandizing is the declaration that "Ive finally arrived at the perfect synergy and all there is to do now is enjoy the music". Hogwash! The objective fact is that no playback system even approaches live/real events. Not only that but it's being declared here on an 'audiophile' site where music is what facilitates the hobby. It's laughable. If I could acquire a perfect system, I'd sabotage my interest. It would then cease to exist, the challenge is no more. Fact is I love the hobby. Without the gear to focus on, I'd have to take up stamp collecting while listening to music."

Wow, I know it sounds right that the recorded sound should approach the live event....I must say my sound surpasses any live event I have been to. Firstly for pop/rock etc. the live event is often pretty ordinary, All depends on the venue and the mixing desk and the PA. You are in fact listening to a giant stereo system!! Secondly for Classical depends on where you sit and the amplifications system and the hall. Sorry but I never get to sit front row dead centre, maybe you do? At home I am always dead centre.
I search out unamplified musical events to use as a reference...they are few and far between usually chamber and jazz ensembles...and you know what they are bright and edgy, the trumpet and violins can be uncomfortably piercing, the kick drum is often a bit overwhelming and loose, the cymbals often dominate the sound uncomfortably...it is not syrupy smooth.
Perhaps accuracy is not what we are looking for..rather a sound that pleases and fidelity to pick the characteristics of the instruments, and finally speed and timing that excites??? That maybe why there are such differing opinions on equipment e.g.. tube vs SS....each to his own:)
I am now going to duck for cover.

Hi Dinster,
My listening experiences at jazz venues are very different from yours. I'd say 75-80% of the time the sound is unamplified(just pure and natural). The consistent chracteristic is how full bodied,warm, rich and colorful/vivid the various instruments sound.The bite and power are present but no sharp edges. Most audio components err towards leaner,thinner and flat(missing the bloom heard live). As you say(and I agree), to each their own.

"I must say my sound surpasses any live event I have been to"

I would only ask this, do you mean the emotional involvement is better through your system than at a live performance or that your system just sounds better to your ears? I mean really, what is more enjoyable, a live performance or sitting between 2 speakers 8 feet back all by your lonesome? The one sure thing about going to a live performance, for me at least, is that the focus is on the performance not on the sound.

Tubegroover,
Agree,, I see his point if listening to loud pop/rock via a PA set up. Live acoustic instruments without PA or speakers in use, no way, at least for me. As you say, you're drawn directly into the performance.

I run sound for live jazz shows (recently Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo...check out THOSE guys) and am often baffled by any discussion regarding "live vs. recorded" sound. I have a piano in my hifi room...have played music professionally for 45 years or something, and have a stupid (!) amount of experience in this area. The following is true: Live sound quality is venue specific, you better be sitting real close if musicians are unamplified, and if it is amplified and you don't like the sound, it could be my fault. Clearly there are things making great sounding live sound events valuable, like YOU'RE THERE at an event, musicians might getting paid something (in the case of the shows I do, paid very well) which is rare these days, and it might be fun. If these things don't appeal to you, stay home. I think a great hifi is exactly that, and clearly recorded, mixed, and produced things are fun although not live, and so what? I just bought a new LP of Beggars Banquet at Barnes and Noble (new thing...vinyl at B&N!)...no explanation of why I have always loved this album, but I do, and the Stones NEVER sounded like this live...an LP on clear vinyl for 23 bucks that sounds great...what's not to like?