Hi Tom,
I've grown up listening to classical music, beginning with RCA Victor Red Seals played on a wind-up Victrola. Having been in the Air Force and later traveling for my company, I've been fortunate to attend many concerts and operas in the US and in Europe over a 64 year period. I'm a classical music and opera nut.
What do I listen for?
I listen to the totality of the performance, not trying to pick apart the individual elements. I want to hear what the composer is trying to tell me.
However, if clearly discernible elements pop up, here's what I can evaluate: I Do Not Listen to hear if the second violin passes gas!
Conductor's pace and interpretation.
Orchestra instrument balance:
Performer's timing
Performer's quality
Orchestra-Soloist-Chorus balance.
Chorus articulation.
Venue quality
Recording quality
Dynamic range
For me, my system and classical CD collection permit listening to the music, in toto, and not just listening to pick out the faults.
Bryston BCD-3 spinner > BP17cubed preamp > 4B cubed amp > Thiel 2.7 speakers with SS2.2 sub and PX05 crossover. For me, the preamp and speakers make it real.
Blue Jeans Cables for interconnects and speakers. Standard Bryston
power cords.
Stax Lambda Pro and Sennheiser HD 600 Headphones for when the neighbors complain!
Listening room: 16 x 24 x 12, with one 24" side partially open
to the dining room. Carpeted with upholstered furniture.
George
I've grown up listening to classical music, beginning with RCA Victor Red Seals played on a wind-up Victrola. Having been in the Air Force and later traveling for my company, I've been fortunate to attend many concerts and operas in the US and in Europe over a 64 year period. I'm a classical music and opera nut.
What do I listen for?
I listen to the totality of the performance, not trying to pick apart the individual elements. I want to hear what the composer is trying to tell me.
However, if clearly discernible elements pop up, here's what I can evaluate: I Do Not Listen to hear if the second violin passes gas!
Conductor's pace and interpretation.
Orchestra instrument balance:
Performer's timing
Performer's quality
Orchestra-Soloist-Chorus balance.
Chorus articulation.
Venue quality
Recording quality
Dynamic range
For me, my system and classical CD collection permit listening to the music, in toto, and not just listening to pick out the faults.
Bryston BCD-3 spinner > BP17cubed preamp > 4B cubed amp > Thiel 2.7 speakers with SS2.2 sub and PX05 crossover. For me, the preamp and speakers make it real.
Blue Jeans Cables for interconnects and speakers. Standard Bryston
power cords.
Stax Lambda Pro and Sennheiser HD 600 Headphones for when the neighbors complain!
Listening room: 16 x 24 x 12, with one 24" side partially open
to the dining room. Carpeted with upholstered furniture.
George