I have to agree with minorl. And I’d like to add a few things.
When I began investing in equipment, I spent a LOT of time at my audio retailer. I mean I spent a LOT of time.
I listened in their room, I brought home equipment to try and I purchased based on my own direct experience and my retailer’s guidance after listening to a LOT of equipment playing a lot of music.
My audio dealer introduced me to and educated me in high end audio, and they also introduced me to a lot of very cool, great music. Later, they also introduced me to home theater. It’s unlikely I’d be an audiophile today if not for the assistance, care and education I received from my high end audio retailer - I will forever be indebted to them for some of the best music and culture - thanks guys!
Their high end room was the BEST room I’ve ever heard - and sadly, nothing I’ve ever heard (including my own room) doesn’t come close - by a wide margin. Part of that has to do with the current owner, who has the ability to set up equipment better than I heard anyone else do, again by a wide margin.
I purchased a piece once without first hearing it (not from my audio high end retailer) - and I will NEVER do that again. While the piece was very good, I wanted better and I immediately stepped up to the top grade. Had I listened to it prior to buying, I would have saved myself the time and expense.
Now that I’m very experienced, I know many things from my experience and I also know what I want. Ironically - not everyone wants the same things from their system. I want a system that has the highest fidelity possible to recreate as close to the live performance as possible. Software (the recording) is critical at this level of equipment performance - yet, when everything "clicks" - it’s an unmatched experience.
Whitecamaross describes that he like sweetness in a system - and stated sweetness is (if I understand him correctly) for a system to replay music that was not recorded critically well and still enjoy it - as opposed to another system that exposes the weaknesses of that recording. With the absolute utmost respect, I desire the system that exploits everything - because again, when everything clicks - it’s an unmatched experience. And while I don’t have the equipment whitecamaross has, I’m not that far from it (stating equipment level to clarify things)
Reviews are a person’s opinion. The reviewer’s objective needs to be identified. The types of music the reviewer likes / is intimate with and the quality of the performance and the recording needs to be revealed. The level of the equipment and room acoustics should be included - this is critical! (many people state power cords don’t make a difference because their system can’t identify the difference).
Another issue I have (which may not be common) is the reviewer’s audio system (actually - I feel all audio systems) should be extremely neutral and the item to be reviewed inserted into that system that the reviewer is intimate with and only that one item switched. The performance of the item then needs to be described very well with references and examples to clearly describe aspects of desirable / undesirable performance - to minimize the potential for misunderstanding.
Everyone agrees switching around components for synergy needs to be done - for good system matching. But say - inserting a "warm" cable to compensate for another component’s, say - "hardness" will never result in the highest fidelity system that brings the absolute best out of recordings.
Just my 2 cents - didn’t post this to incite controversy, but to contribute what I like.
Thank you whitecamaross for all your postings - they’re always a good read. I’m also starting with your videos too. Now that I no longer get the time to check out the latest and greatest equipment at my retailer - this allows me to keep up on some things. And the level of equipment you’re evaluating is exactly what interests me.
When I began investing in equipment, I spent a LOT of time at my audio retailer. I mean I spent a LOT of time.
I listened in their room, I brought home equipment to try and I purchased based on my own direct experience and my retailer’s guidance after listening to a LOT of equipment playing a lot of music.
My audio dealer introduced me to and educated me in high end audio, and they also introduced me to a lot of very cool, great music. Later, they also introduced me to home theater. It’s unlikely I’d be an audiophile today if not for the assistance, care and education I received from my high end audio retailer - I will forever be indebted to them for some of the best music and culture - thanks guys!
Their high end room was the BEST room I’ve ever heard - and sadly, nothing I’ve ever heard (including my own room) doesn’t come close - by a wide margin. Part of that has to do with the current owner, who has the ability to set up equipment better than I heard anyone else do, again by a wide margin.
I purchased a piece once without first hearing it (not from my audio high end retailer) - and I will NEVER do that again. While the piece was very good, I wanted better and I immediately stepped up to the top grade. Had I listened to it prior to buying, I would have saved myself the time and expense.
Now that I’m very experienced, I know many things from my experience and I also know what I want. Ironically - not everyone wants the same things from their system. I want a system that has the highest fidelity possible to recreate as close to the live performance as possible. Software (the recording) is critical at this level of equipment performance - yet, when everything "clicks" - it’s an unmatched experience.
Whitecamaross describes that he like sweetness in a system - and stated sweetness is (if I understand him correctly) for a system to replay music that was not recorded critically well and still enjoy it - as opposed to another system that exposes the weaknesses of that recording. With the absolute utmost respect, I desire the system that exploits everything - because again, when everything clicks - it’s an unmatched experience. And while I don’t have the equipment whitecamaross has, I’m not that far from it (stating equipment level to clarify things)
Reviews are a person’s opinion. The reviewer’s objective needs to be identified. The types of music the reviewer likes / is intimate with and the quality of the performance and the recording needs to be revealed. The level of the equipment and room acoustics should be included - this is critical! (many people state power cords don’t make a difference because their system can’t identify the difference).
Another issue I have (which may not be common) is the reviewer’s audio system (actually - I feel all audio systems) should be extremely neutral and the item to be reviewed inserted into that system that the reviewer is intimate with and only that one item switched. The performance of the item then needs to be described very well with references and examples to clearly describe aspects of desirable / undesirable performance - to minimize the potential for misunderstanding.
Everyone agrees switching around components for synergy needs to be done - for good system matching. But say - inserting a "warm" cable to compensate for another component’s, say - "hardness" will never result in the highest fidelity system that brings the absolute best out of recordings.
Just my 2 cents - didn’t post this to incite controversy, but to contribute what I like.
Thank you whitecamaross for all your postings - they’re always a good read. I’m also starting with your videos too. Now that I no longer get the time to check out the latest and greatest equipment at my retailer - this allows me to keep up on some things. And the level of equipment you’re evaluating is exactly what interests me.