All Amps Sound the Same....

hi frogman:

thanks for the link. people are different in their reactions to music. i find the well tempered clavier very helpful when solving mathematical problems.

the intricate harmony has an affinity to mathematics.

granted, i may have an idiosyncratic response and be in a minority of listeners.

Measurements vs. senses is a false dichotomy. True audio reproduction art sensibly merges the two drawing upon the respective strengths of each area. Your physical senses cannot tell you that the earth is rotating on its axis and circling the sun at speed greater than 1,000 miles/hr. You have to trust measurements to understand those facts. At the same time all the math and measurements in the world won't help you consistently hit a curve ball. If you want to listen to music, your senses should dominate, but if you want to electronically reproduce music, then the measurements should be the dominate method of understanding.

"but if you want to electronically reproduce music, then the measurements should be the dominate method of understanding."

Onhwy61 - In order to get pleasant sound from SS amplifier you need to elimnate TIM (transient intermodulation) distortion that enhances odd harmonics and cannot be easily measured. This TIM is created by negative feedback - same feedback that makes wide bandwidth, low output impedance, low THD and IMD. If you see extremely good measurements - run away.

Mrtennis, you are welcome. In answer to your question: Yes, I believe that
all music evokes an emotional response; anything that can fairly be called
music. It may not be a positive or pleasant response, but a response
nonetheless. Earlier you wrote that there is music of the brain, cerebral in
nature, and that does not necessarily evoke an emotional response. You
cited TWC as an example. Later you write:

***people are different in their reactions to music. i find the well tempered
clavier very helpful when solving mathematical problems.***

What is it then that causes this "help", if not an emotional
response?

BTW, a common discussion among musicians and musicologists is the
notion (by now, fairly well debunked) that Bach's music, particularly
TWC, is to be performed in a cold, mechanical (mathematical) fashion.
Not so. Additionally, it is also an accepted idea that in Bach's time a
tempo marking was an indication of the intended emotional character of
the music ("Allegro").

mrtennis

Perhaps the well tempered clavier stimulates the left side of your brain, without necessarily introducing any conscious perception of an "emotional" response?

A perfect cappucino in your favorite cafe might evoke an emotional response, but caffeine by itself is only a stimulant?

What other composers or music, please, would you recommend to enhance concentration and/or to prove that all amps do not sound the same.