Music vs. Components

Mceljo wrote: When you're into the music, everything else is gone, not because it sounds good but because you're captivated by it. This doesn't require a perfect sound system.

Tholt wrote: I've come to discover that 'listening to just the music" is achieved only after all components and listening room are complementing each other in such a synergistic way that they don't draw any attention to themselves.

Tholt's comment might be what is key for me--the system can't be irritating to listen to. And Mceljo's observation also corresponds with my experience. The first stereo system I had that was truly satisfying, that let me just enjoy the performance of the musicians and the message of the music, was far from perfect. In 1985, I bought an LP12 with Basik Plus arm, which included the Basik phono cartridge, an AT95 variant with conical stylus. This went to the original Naim Nait integrated amplifier and then to a pair of extremely cheap Jensen bookshelf speakers loaned to me by my brother. Far from a perfect sound system, but immensely enjoyable to listen to. This eventually became an all-Linn system that gave about 20 years of service before components began to fail.

After living for the past couple years with a rather different style of system (Well Tempered, Grado wood-body cartridge and phono stage, Audio by Van Alstine amplification, Vandersteen speakers), I've been enjoying something of a return to that ealier sound: LP12/Ittok, Audio Technica CN5625AL cartridge, the same Audio by Van Alstine solid state amplification, and Bose 301 speakers. The sound is clear and dynamic with great pace and momentum. Nothing about the sound or operation is irritating, and album after album is connecting with me musically in a way I haven't experienced for a while. I'm sure there are limitations in imaging specificity, soundstage width/depth, frequency extension, detail retrieval, and so on, but none of that matters--the music is simply more fun, more captivating, to listen to.

is the glass half full or half empty ? its half full and half empty at the same time.

as applied to this thread it is not music vs components it is music and components. it is the components that let you hear your recordings. when you listen to music you are ;istening to your components.

the question is are you listening critically or purely for enjoyment ?

can you ignore the deficiencies in the componsnts, as none are perfect, or is there something about the sound which interferes with enjoying the music.

thus the thread should be changed to :

analytic vs non-analytic listening

pne cannot avoid the components on the path to listening to music.

Today I stopped by the store where I purchased my speakers with two CDs in hand that I wanted to listen to on the Focal Grande Utopia EM speakers to see what was really on the recording in the lowest organ ranges. I'll admit to not being blown away by the sound of the crazy expensive system compared to mine. I'm not saying that mine is an equal, but I can certainly come home and not think that mine sounds bad in comparison. Even the salesman asked how much difference I was really hearing since he's been spending a lot of time with their demo speakers that are identical to mine and he's really loving them. I hate to say it, but I have not been as impressed with anything they have after the Krell amplifiers were sold and replaced with Asthetix amps, I believe. I really like the sound that they system had with the Krell stuff. One of these days I'll make them hook up some of the Pathos stuff sitting around for a listen. It's all way out of my budget, but if I win the lottery I'd probably start with Krell and Pathos for a demo.

It's listening experiences like this where I can relax about my system and just enjoy.

I listen to the music. Before I added acoustical room treatments I listened to the room.