What of your CD's have good sonics?

Hi CatfishBob, I was curious if your system and room are still the same as discussed in your earlier "my system" thread? If we haven't heard your system, it's hard for someone discussing this topic to tell if we're taking about Elizabeth's "critical listening syndrome always engaged" vs. a more mundane room/hardware interaction problem. In past domiciles I've occupied, I always found abundant glass and hardwood floors created more difficult listening environments.

Photon....yes it is the same system. Most of my floors are covered in thick rugs with pads. I have blackout roman shades and draperies covering the various windows.
I did get a remarkable upgrade with the tube rolling I did. I presume that I probably need some acoustical treatment, but I have no slap echo or anything like that. As always....thanks for your help

Very interesting thread. I don't do much critical listening (and have never had the system to warrant it!), but have always been struck by discs that sounded particularly good. About a year ago, I started making some upgrades and found that, while some things sounded amazingly good (Jeff Buckley and the last couple of Radiohead and Wilco albums, for example), the distance between good recordings and bad was substantial -- so great that some music I like was hard to enjoy (Squeeze reissues, Oasis, Husker Du). My current system has closed the gap. The good stuff (sound quality wise) still sounds good, but the bad stuff is way better. I can still hear the difference, but it's not distracting.

stehno:

you make some good points.

howevere, ultimately each one of uds has to decide why we listen to music and our expectations that result from such an experience.

i think one's stereo system refelects, implicitly that choice.

as a reviewer i have written about this psychological issue in the form of a question:

"what is the purpose of a stereo system ?"

there are several considerations of a non musical nature, such as those that concern physiological factors, such as its soporofic abilities and its palliative effects relating to health issuess.

thus, i think elizabeth's issues are irrelevant, whereas, why one listens to music is the issue here.

it's not the equipment, rather its about the psychology of human behavior--listening to music.

thus, i would say, it's not the sonics, but rather the affect upon the sonics upon one's "psyche" that is the relevant question.

don't place the cart before the horse.

Agreed with Bar 81,Demag your cd's for a remarkable improvemnet. Granted, these macines are not cheap, but worth every penny. I demag all cd's and blu-rays.

All disc have been lathed as well with the Audiodesk lathe, even gold Mofi's and Audiofidelity gold disc. The improvement is substancial.

Cheers, Greg