How close to the real thing?

"BK: Yes. I've heard great recordings that stun me. But every time I go to hear the group live in front of me with no amplification, I think that we are so far away from the live experience that we will never have that experience."

The truth of that use to make me frown, till I accepted that recorded music must be appreciated it on its own terms and its inherent limitations - yet totally satisfying and magical for what it is. I think Katz is 100% right about recorded music versus live, unamplified (critical)music. The gap is obvious and permanent, but no reason not to love and enjoy our home systems.

Edseas2, not only did I read the OP's question, I own a copy of Katz's "Mastering Audio" book.

OK, you got me - I didn't know about his Chesky work, so I learned something there, but if you read his book it is definitely pop music oriented, as is the majority of his work I'm familiar with.

Many variables. Type of music being a very important one. I have never heard any system capabable of reproducing the almost physical low bass energy you experience live in a Jazz club. Thenagain, solo instruments and small acoustic ensembe music can come pretty close in a high end system. Recording quality is also a huge factors. Ironically, the closest to "the real thing" I experience in my system is actually a multi channel surround sound SACD solo piano recording on the Norwegian 2L label (Mirror Canon) - no Chopin though. This is as close as having a Steinway in my room as it gets.

I also remember walking in a show floor and believing there was a live ensemble playing around the corner, only to find out they were playing a studio master tape over JBL monitors - so 5% seems a rather conservative number.

Petrayer,

Coincidentally, the Meyerhoff in Baltimore is one of the venues I have used extensively as a sound quality reference over the years.

You, know the sound quality there as with most venues varies considerably depending on how teh performers set up and where you sit?

Most classical performances tehre from most seats have some of the best sound quality I have heard IMHO.

however, once I heard Steve Winwood there from way up in the top level, slightly right of center and I could not have been more disappointed.

I used to feel very good about my system when I came home from the Meyerhoff and compared to my rig running magnepan mg1cs at the time, in every sense save absolute dynamics and impact perhaps. If I closed my eyes, it cam way better than 5% I would say, enough so that I did not care.

Nowadays, with my newer OHM floorstanders, I think I have upped the ante considerably.

I also run good monitors and they are nice but I have yet to hear a pair of standalone monitors deliver large scale classical convincingly. Chamber music and the like, perhaps...

Mapman,

I agree with you that there is nothing like the sound in good seats at a well designed hall. I don't think I'll ever get my Mini IIs to deliver large scale classical music convincingly or certainly not a rock concert. My room and those monitors are just too small. However, with a great recording and the right music (small scale and acoustic) the sound is pretty darn good and I dare say almost believable. Well, close enough to be emotionally moving.

Sure it's not the real thing, but it's one minute down the hall, available anytime and able to play any of my LPs with a simple lift of the tone arm. Muddy, Miles, Starker, or Arrau. Playback has come a long way.

Someday, I'll invite my buddy Edseas2 back over and ask about that 5% again.