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Warm vs. Analytical

The subject is SS integrated amps. Some integrateds, like Audiolab and Krell, are often labeled "analytical." Others, like Arcam, are called "warm." I'm trying to get a grip on what these terms really mean. I understand they can be subjective.

To my own ears, Cambridge Audio sounds soft and dulled down at the edges. Musical Fidelity (the A3.2 integrated) sounds to me clean, precise, and detailed; it's the kind of sound I prefer. Is Cambridge Audio "warm"? Is MF more "analytical"? I'm not trying to start a flame war hear; I just want to know how my perceptions of sound fit into the terminology that people use to describe it.

Thanks for your insights
jverona
ozfly
887 posts
 
Buckingham was kind enough to share the address of the stereophile guide to audio terms the other day:

http://www.stereophile.com/showarchives.cgi?50:0

To me, warm means that the music is not detailed enough (i.e., a bit muffled and overly emphasizing the lower midrange) and analytical means that the music is too detailed (i.e., harsh with no life -- probably too much emphasis on the upper midrange). So, warm is too dull to be live and analytical is too crisp to be live. That's just me though. The link is a lot of fun and can really help isolate the nuances of listening.
zaikesman
3,017 posts
 
For better or for worse, in audiophile-speak "analytical" is generally considered pejorative, "warm" not always (or even usually). "Neutral", on the other hand, is considered either too boring, or entirely mythical...
mrwigglewm
60 posts
 
I'm with Zaikesman. Clinical/Analytical means you are hearing an X-ray of the music: the information is all there, just not the depth of emotion/soul. Similar to a mechanical performance. Warm, lush sound is a good thing, at least up to the point where you (the listener) find the loss of accuracy, clarity and detail to be fatiguing. Too much warmth in the sound is comparable to an overly finessed performance.
lafish
151 posts
 
All in all, I cant see Musiical Fidelity works as you said. In fact, my opinion is that only Krell can give you more analytical sense while all others you mentioned are warm.

If you want analytical, try German brand, Audionet, UK brand, Advantage, Dutch brand, Sphinx, French, Cairn

Until then you will know what is analytical.

Cheers.
rockvirgo
587 posts
 
When the system is overly warm you're left with a "it can sound better than this" uneasy feeling. Too analytical and you have lots of "wow, listen to that!" distracting experiences.

Warm is too much forest. Analytical is too many trees.
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