IMO the question involves greater complexity than a simple division between the two characterizations that have been suggested. As the varied responses in the following thread from a number of years ago seem to make clear:
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-attributes-do-you-value-most
An excerpt from the OP in that thread:
My response in that thread:
But given a choice between the two philosophies described in the OP, I’m definitely in the camp of "trying to reproduce the absolute sound and use live music as their guide."
Regards,
-- Al
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/which-attributes-do-you-value-most
An excerpt from the OP in that thread:
Here is a list of attributes commonly valued by audiophiles, in no particular order:
1. Resolution
2. Soundstaging
3. PRaT
4. Dynamics
5. Tonal balance
6. Harmonic content
7. Accuracy
8. Coherence
9. Frequency extension
10. Scale
The list could go on and on, but you get the idea. I’m interested to hear which attributes people prioritize above others.
My response in that thread:
1)Harmonic accuracy.
Which in turn encompasses or is affected by many of the factors that have been mentioned (tonal balance, harmonic content, accuracy, clarity, resolution, coherence, lifting of veils, freedom from distortion, etc.). To me "harmonic accuracy" is the most significant determinant of how "real" the instruments sound. I realize that by lumping its contributing factors together I am begging the question :-)
2)Clean transient response.
3)Dynamic range.
4)Frequency extension.
5)Image scale.
But given a choice between the two philosophies described in the OP, I’m definitely in the camp of "trying to reproduce the absolute sound and use live music as their guide."
Regards,
-- Al