Perfect Path "Solutions" (PPS) eMat

audio2design ...

• "If the best sound you have ever heard was at an audio show, then I don't see how I can take any of your personal listening experiences seriously. There is one thing listening rooms at trade shows all have in common. They sound bad. That is not at all surprising given what it takes to acoustically treat a room for what can be considered great sound."

"Most" rooms at audio shows sound bad. This we are in agreement with. However, Randy Cooley's room was exceptional. Well, at least what he was getting out of the demo system was exceptional.

And here you are again, passing judgment on something you haven't personally experienced. You didn't hear Randy's demo system, and you certainly have never heard my system either.

If you're ever in my area ... Southern Californa, Ventura County specifically, you're welcome to come over for a listening session. The only requirement is that you don a triple layer of adult diapers prior to the session beginning.  I don't like stains on the ceiling and carpet. 

Frank

docknow ...

 

• "Sounds like Randy's system gave oregonpapa a glimpse of what is possible and therefore what he should strive for."

That's exactly it. When I heard Randy's demo, it had the most three dimensional, and most realistic presentation I had ever heard from an audio system. A replication of that sound has been my goal ever since. With all of the PPT products in the system, especially The Gate, my system is finally there ... and well beyond. 

Frank

@audiodesign: I do truly "think" that.  BTW, in my way of thinking, "believes" are for church.

With that clarification ... it is a big goal, but I have found that big goals help facilitate small successes towards the goal and keep one from getting off track.  It is clear to me that such a goal is still a long ways away.  I have made thousands of improvements to my succession of systems over the last 45 years, with each one having a very audible improvement and this trend has not diminished.  If we were getting close to the goal of an audio "time machine", I would posit that each step closer would get smaller and more difficult.  Since that has not been my experience, I have come to wonder if the distance to my goal is still quite large.

Either way, there are going to be many paths that might take us to that goal and our collective wisdom and experience will get us there faster.  That is part of the value of communication and sharing here.

PS-this thread was not a waste for me.  I learn something and improve my knowledge and brain from nearly everything I do.

docknow,

"@glupson: Why poor Randy? Sounds like he had a great system!!"

I thought so, too, but then it seems that oregonpapa's modest thing is better than Randy's. Randy tried, just to be outdone.

millercarbon ...

The only non-PPT enhanced system I've ever heard that came close to the kind of realism we are getting was Randy Cooley's room (Optimal Enchantment) at one of the audio shows. Randy always plays tasteful music during his demonstrations. He was using all of the ARC reference stuff, the big Basis turntable, and Vandersteen's best speakers. The retail value of Randy's demo system had to be several hundreds of thousands of dollars. And yet, my modest Legacy Signature IIIs are pumping out sound like that. Even better actually.

Frank

That must have been some setup. Imagine if he had even just a little of the good stuff in there! That's what gets me. When you get up into the stratosphere level of funding I would sure hope the sound is to die for. When in reality more often than not it is merely impressive. People who haven't heard simply do not know. That is why I am so keen on getting people to come hear, and then also to post comments.

All anyone has to do is read my system comments. That's not me. That's other audiophiles. When you read the comments from a guy who is into digital and looks askance at analog and yet is saying things like While I was there I was wishing for a more analytical sound but when I got home I was really missing that sound he was getting, you and I know what he's talking about. But no one else does. 

Sad to say, utter complete lack of knowledge never stops them spewing their unfounded opinions, more often than not as fact. 

And here you are again, passing judgment on something you haven't personally experienced. You didn't hear Randy's demo system, and you certainly have never heard my system either. 

If you're ever in my area ... Southern Californa, Ventura County specifically, you're welcome to come over for a listening session. The only requirement is that you don a triple layer of adult diapers prior to the session beginning. I don't like stains on the ceiling and carpet.

Frank

Frank, you are too kind. He is the one, probably just about the only one, I would have to disinvite.