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The Absolute Sound vs Pleasing Sound

I have changed my mind about this over the years. The absolute sound (closest to real live music) just can't be accomplished even though I have heard some spectacular systems that get close on some music. So years ago I changed my system to give me the sound I wanted. I'm much happier now and all my music collection can be enjoyed for what it is: Recorded music.  
russ69
inna
7,923 posts
 
Frog, what you said about great instruments, their complexities and unique character is applicable to people as well.
I have never heard any of those famous violins live.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
14,079 posts
 
The logical fallacy of blindtest, in audio or music, when they are used out of their narrow usefulness window function, to reveal the reality or deceptiveness of small change that are not evident at first, is that they suppose that a DEFINITIVE judgement is possible out of the normal context and habit where the judgement is produced usually...Like a violin stradivarius compared to a modern one...Or an audiophile assessing without stress a small change in his system in his room with his files...


The use of blindtest in statistical medical procedure is another story completely... It is there they reveal the most important facet of their power , eliminating the human biases from the medical experiment...But assessing the value of a violin ask to the player the exact opposite, a mastering of the instrument, using his experienced biases or learning personal experience, impossible in most improvised blindtest...The listeners also must be experienced and in his normal  circonstances or near them....
glupson
7,842 posts
 
Wasn't that test about how audience hears it and not how the player feels while playing it? In any case, we can say there is too many variables and avoid going into the abyss of what is right.

Violins are slowly getting extinct and music these days depends on integrated circuits, resistors, and other things in similar direction rather than on a craftsman trying to surpass Guarneri. Same goes for the piano stores. Dwindling and dwindling for a reason. As sad as all of that may be. Once upon a time, harpsichord was a big thing, too.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
14,079 posts
 
Alas! there is truth in this change of world....
djones51
4,947 posts
 
What's sad is how some people either refuse  or can't seem to grasp how biases influence human behavior. The violin test was just an example of how these biases affect each of us no matter how well we think we're immune. At least
" Fritz" understood and shrugged, knowing he's human without twisting himself into a logical pretzel. 
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