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Am I Bad Listener?

Let me say from the outset that I love audio gear and I love the sound of mid-high end audio. But here's the thing ...

The only part of a system that I can hear a real difference in is speakers. In my system over the past few months I have tested three different amps (a 30W tube, a 150W SS integrated and a 200W SS amp plus a bi-amp configuration), a tube preamp, no preamp (direct to amp via DAC with volume control) and most recently a bunch of different speaker wires (my original Audience Maestros, a DIY Home Depot 10 gauge concoction, Anticables and two other sets of very expensive wires borrowed from a local dealer - some bi-wired & some single with jumpers). Oh, and a series of different IC's.

With the possible exception of the insertion of the tube preamp, I can't really tell much of a difference regardless of what I do. I have had similar experiences at dealers. But switching back and forth between different speakers I can hear huge differences.

I think my system sounds really good but is modest by comparison to many on A'gon - Olive Musica, Benchmark DAC, Minimax Preamp, Meridian G57 amp (sometimes switched for a Classe or Prima Luna) - so maybe that's it. In a modest system the effect of switching components or wires just won't yield huge sound changes. Or maybe I just don't hear in a very detailed manner.

I spend a fair amount of time reading posts here and people claim to have genuine sonic revelations by switching an interconnect or a tube or piece of speaker wire. I love buying the new stuff and giving it a try but I just don't seem to ever hear a sonic revelation and end up re-selling it.

Does anyone share my experience or is there something this sad, pathetic audiophile is missing?
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lak's avatar
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lak
4,624 posts
 
Here's a different view:
Several people have made excellent points that I totally agree with. In this particular scenario I'm wondering what type of power filtration system you are using?
For example do you have several (at least two) dedicated AC lines?
Are you using high-end AC outlets?
How clean is the electricity that is powering your system?
I'm not saying that's the cause, however it could be prohibiting you from hearing details and /or differences in the music.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
"this whole stereo sounds like crap" with a CDP really bad. (1989 Circuit City Sony or something)

Yikes - I am in your crap category. I have way more expensive CDP's in storage but my tin ears failed to hear a significant difference; simply a slight difference rather than even a modest improvement.

Now I am in panic mode and got my thirty 100 dollar bills out and I'm ready to commence self flagellation!

I am off to Ed Meitner's tomorrow...now that will hurt my wallet ;-)
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
My electricity comes from burning natural gas - so it is pretty clean souding compared to those of you on coal!
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jtgofish
515 posts
 
Itball,
I think enjoying audio is a bit like enjoying wine.You really need some basic "how to sample instructions"in order to gain a higher level of understanding of what you should be listening for.

Past a certain point the way in which a system draws you in becomes highly dependent on its abilty to portray precise 3D images.Once you "get this" you should be able to detect quite small changes in your system.

I have heard plenty of expensive systems that simply don't do this properly-and some quite cheap ones which do.

It is hard to explain how to listen to this though.The best way is probably to hear some systems which have strong performance in this regard and ask the owner to point out what to listen for.

Of course a good hi fi retailer should be able to demonstrate this.Indeed they should insist on doing so.
eee3
214 posts
 
Aside from having the critical listening syndrome, which I've acquired as well, I think you also have developed what most audiophiles( not music lovers)have and that is chasing the elusive "absolute sound" Which basically means you'll never be satisfied! This is unfortunately one of the big drawbacks of this hobby; continually upgrading.
If you are others don't think this is true just look at how many ads are on this site on a daily basis!!
Having said that, I will also say that once you have reached the mid-highend level with your system, in order to improve on that you will generally have to move up another step, possibly two in order to get any meaningful improvement.
So,finally I would say to you look into tweaking. I've found that there're some good not to expensive tweaks out there that are definite improvements. (look at my system setup and some of my threads and responses)

Addendum; listen to the music not the equipment!
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