Koetsu surprise

Don't forgot that to stay nearest to the recording we need the lowest ( everykind ) distortions levels at each link, so tubes and non damped metal tonearms are absolutely out of question against that target.

R.

I think what many of us are saying is that ultimate neutrality or faithfulness to the recording isn't necessarily the goal. Even if perfect accuracy was achieved it would not automatically ensure listening pleasure, and we all perceive sounds differently anyway. Different brands and technologies exist to cater to personal subjective preferences, which can change day to day!  This is why so many analog enthusiasts run multiple carts. A little coolness here, some romanticism there. I like a system that in some ways caters to my whims and values, which change all the time. Appreciating neutrality is different than loving it. Any car can get us from point a to point b however we drive what we like. A formula one car more accurately follows the road than than your typical auto but few of us would find it pleasurable as a daily driver. In short, I think accuracy is fine but not an end in itself. 

Raul, You are a never ending riot.  Your opinions are "facts". Anyone else's opinion to the contrary is merely an opinion. I can't even get angry any more.

Dear @13blm: """  Even if perfect accuracy was achieved it would not automatically ensure listening pleasure ... """

we can't have listening pleasure with true bad recordings even if the room/system is nearest to the recording.

The other reason is that each one room/system audiophile has different main target. You posted exactly that:

"  many of us are saying is that ultimate neutrality or faithfulness to the recording isn't necessarily the goal.  """


@lewm :  """  Your opinions are "facts". """, totally wrong. My opinions is only that: an opinion but ( again . ) I 'm talking of true facts not opinion and I can see you have a very short memory because you participated more than one time against those facts but you never gave any single fact but opinions.
You can re-read my posts about and is there where those facts are.

Just an example: everything the same what do you think is nearest to " perfection ": an electronic item with a 60 db signal to noise ratio against other electronic item with 85db on that same figure. The same items where one has a RIAA eq. deviation of 3db against the other with 1db deviation or one with limeted frequency response against the other with wider frequency response?  what do you prefer ( everything the same. ) a cartridge with a frequency response inside 0.5db at 10hz to 100khz  to other with 3db of deviations. Or a measurable ( same cartridges ) where the first one has higher tracking abilities than the other.

All those are facts and I prefer to listen the ones that measures the better because puts me nearest to the recording due that has lower inherent distortions/colorations.

That you don't want to change your self even with facts that proves you are wrong this is different.

Problem is and I posted several times that everyone is willing to gives opinions and be " severe " critics when can't understand the main subject and can't understand because they don't give his self the opportunity to understand it.
I posted what to do ( an experiment or whaever. ) to confirm  by it self that those facts will tell everyone how wrong they are but no one is willing to discovery the " true ".

So how almost any one of you already knows my facts are wrong if never  had a single self experience on what I'm talking about ????? ¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ and I already had for years the experiences you are living today.
At least I know both sides of the today " moon ".

It's as some people that do not like to go to the doctor because they are afraid that the doctor can tell they have cancer. Exactly as many of you in the whole audio subject: we are fear of reality and hide behind that: I like it, it does not matters I'm wrong.

Regards and enjoy the Music Not Distortions,
R.

@terry9 
The stylus visibility is all varies a lot with Koetsus. On my Coralstone, it barely protrudes from the cantilever towards the record -- certainly hard to see. On my other Koetsus (including vintage RSP), the shank protrudes quite a bit and is very easy to spot even with a naked eye.