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  3. 151957-135222

Why do Classical CDs sound less Alive/Real/Present ?

Of course GIGO always applies but some of my CDs are on decent labels.
When I listen to symphony recordings as an example, the sound loses its presence
and sounds a bit like I am using a much lesser grade of equipment.

My system has all components in excellent shape as well as a good amount
of acoustic treatments. The room is not large at 16 x 14 x 8 + adjacent open kitchen
behind seating of 10 x 13,  so I am wondering if what I hear is just the nature of the
beast-ie. a lot of instruments going on at one time?

I seem to recall this has always been the case in other settings as well.

What say ye? 

gadios
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,402 posts
 
@tomcy6 , no doubt. I'm at the point of flogging a dead horse.

I would like to know about his room and components. There may be ways to improve the performance of his playback.

rvpiano's avatar
rvpiano
2,512 posts
 
I do believe the components and room treatment play a major role in determining SQ in classical music. If what you mainly listen to is other than classical, you’ve probably maximized your playback system to sound best with that type of music:  perhaps exaggerated highs and/or lows.  Classical music requires absolute neutrality of the audio spectrum since it utilizes the whole spectrum of overtones, especially in the orchestra.


geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Two things digital has problems with: sweetness and air. 
Post removed 
ivan_nosnibor's avatar
ivan_nosnibor
1,047 posts
 
This thread is a great and honest slice of the true state of what so many people’s systems actually sound like.

And this is Exactly what I mean when I keep going on and on that most systems are choked with noise and we don’t even recognize it.

Once again, please send me all your bad CD’s - you know...the ones with the shrill violins, the harsh highs, that were recorded DDD, that won’t play well with anything other than tubes, that were made with bad mic's, or were made in a certain decade - having tackled the noise beast, I'm loving them all.
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