High Performance Audio - The End?

I enjoy Steve's reviews and for the most part, his personal take on things regarding audio. I pretty much agree with him on this.

When it comes down to it, we as audiophiles/audio enthusiasts are not all in the same box. While some aspire to a system that will fill a large room with the scope and volume of a live, large scale orchestral or rock performance, some may only want a system that will do justice to a small scale, live acoustic performance or have a considerably smaller space to fill. In any case, it sometimes takes years of investigation, trial and error to put together a system that all works together and does what we personally want it to do. Then, when we think we have it all dialed in and figured out and are most happy with what we have - circumstances, likes or opportunities change and here we go again :-)
Jim

@russhealy,

'Perhaps this is a bit like Frances Fukuyama claiming history ended when the Cold War ended, ensuring liberal democracy a long history devoid of any alternate system of governance.'


Yes it does look as if there's a convergence of a science based opinion of what constitutes a good sound lead by the likes of Harman Kardon, Audioholics and Audio Science Review. 

Maverick designs such as the Ohm Walsh's and Tekton Moab's do seem to be getting thin on the ground. 

The question of when to stop upgrading must therefore be an individual one dictated to by the majority of one's own listening material.

[The alternative would be let your choice of music be driven by your system, but that can't ultimately lead anywhere good other than visions of individuals with $$$$$ systems playing the same 5/6 fantastically recorded discs over and over again...]

If you've already passed that unfortunate point of too much resolution (you'll know by the range of your listening material and level of satisfaction) you might have to consider downgrading to something more suitable.

Many already have to their satisfaction.


Another option might be to push for an increase in industry recording standards. 
Unfortunately according to Steve Guttenberg and others with experience, the industry does not see audiophiles, who constitute less than 1% of their business, with any type of interest. 

They know we'll buy the music anyway, so they're far more likely to focus on those sectors that don't.

For those remaining audiophiles who still seek the maximum sonic pleasure from their music there is the additional, albeit time consuming option of searching for the best reissues/ remasterings/ pressings etc.

Sites like Steve Hoffman's Music Corner have been devoted to doing exactly this for quite some time now.

https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/forums/music-corner.2/

If you’ve already passed that unfortunate point of too much resolution

There is never too much resolution, except if the different pieces of gear are badly paired, if not, there is a problem in the 3 embeddings particularly the electrical and acoustical one....

"Resolution" and details must be also musically presented and "revealed". If not they hurt the ears and some says this is too resolving...But it is a bad use of word...

The recording is resolved by the system+room, but the system +room reveal his own inner working in resolving the source...

Then there is a difference and a balance between "resolving" and "revealing"....Resolving refer to the original acoustic of the recorded initial musical event, revealing refer to his recreation by the system+room...

The ears/brain distinguished the 2 acoustical spaces, and all audio acoustical science is the art of educating the ears to use these 2 acoustical dimensions in the same moment...

Then "passing this point of too much resolution" is only an indication of a problem in the pairing of the gear or in the embeddings or in the 2... There is no objective point of too much resolution at some high price level on the Hi-Fi equipment scale...

My best to you...

Well, here are my thought on the subjetc:

1- The better your system sounds, the more enjoyable the musical experience and the better ALL songs sound, no matter the recording quality.
In fact, at least in my case, bad recordings sounded easier to listen as my system sound quality improved. Of course, the recording's flaws are more evident, but the overall presentation becomes FAR more enhoyable. 

2- When you get more resolution, my experience tells me that you just don't get more detail, you also should get better tone, dynamics, holographic 3D sound, etc. In two words, more realism and fun, not just details in a clinical way. Otherwise, something it's wrong.

3- Most audiophiles (I put my self in the first place) must learn to relax and not do upgrades too often.
Otherwise, we end up listening the same tracks over and over to judge every upgrade and not to other tracks that also move us. 
I know, it's VERY rewarding and exciting everytime we get better sound, but IMHO it's not sane to do it constantly. Not to mention the high cost of doing it often. 
My system sometimes moves me deeply with music, but that happens when I'm not judging the sound of my last upgrade and sometimes, when I'm cooking, or doing something else on the house, and my mp3 is playing, I find my self dancing, singing and enjoying music more! 
IMHO, getting this audio nervosa on high-end is a dangerous game and we must be aware of it. It shouldn't overcome our passion for music. 

4- I've heard some multithosand systems (+100k) on dealers and my relatively modest system (about 25k) sounded MUCH MUCH better. 
We don't have to spend three figures to have great sound.
Voicing, positioning and tweaking system and room is crucial!

Happy listening!

Thanks for your very good post...

My best to you.....