IMO it comes down to the recording as much as the system. The closest recording I have heard that sounds like the live performance was Dire Straits live in NY you tube video streamed from mac book pro into dac. For studio recordings IMO Pink Floyd has the best drum sound.
At This Time Can We Recreate Full Range Live Music In The Home?
I read on this web site some members claim they go to the symphony orchestra and are "convinced" their system reproduces the experience. I agree with vocals, light percussion, acoustic music, light jazz, the best systems come very close. My experience comes from being a semi professional drummer for 40+ years. I currently have acoustic and electronic drums in my home. I play in a huge open space with 20 foot cathedral ceilings. I think I can state that I know what live drums sound like. Can even the six figure systems reproduce the attack and decay of a 20 inch crash cymbal? I say "maybe" in the future but not now! What makes me laugh is we audiophiles myself included will spend many, many thousands of dollars trying to reproduce the sound of a $20 triangle or a $15 woodblock or a $10 shaker. Play the song Aja by Steely Dan. I can play on my system the drum solo by the great Steve Gadd at realistic volume levels-if you dare -but it is not the same as real drums!! I don’t know if I can’t convince people that are not musicians. Not putting non-musicians down. Quoting my dad, "You don’t have to be a horse to be a horse doctor." Another quote by John Lennon. Someone asked him what he was listening to. He responded, "Dripping water." It would be interesting to know how many of the greatest producers/engineers are or are not musicians or vocalists.
Some statistics: Soft drums 105dB, hard drums up to 130dB, kick drum/timpani 106-111dB, ride cymbal 101dB, toms 110dB, ride bell 115dB, crash 113dB, snare 120dB, rimshot 125dB. I have a system that could produce 125dB, would I -NO WAY I value my #1 instrument -my ears. So the drums are playing at 125dB peaks, now add in the other 80+ members of the symphony orchestra-how loud now? I ask again, can we at this time reproduce accurately the power of a symphony orchestra in the home? For many of us this is the Holy Grail of being an audiophile - Keep Searching!
Some statistics: Soft drums 105dB, hard drums up to 130dB, kick drum/timpani 106-111dB, ride cymbal 101dB, toms 110dB, ride bell 115dB, crash 113dB, snare 120dB, rimshot 125dB. I have a system that could produce 125dB, would I -NO WAY I value my #1 instrument -my ears. So the drums are playing at 125dB peaks, now add in the other 80+ members of the symphony orchestra-how loud now? I ask again, can we at this time reproduce accurately the power of a symphony orchestra in the home? For many of us this is the Holy Grail of being an audiophile - Keep Searching!
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- 60 posts total
"You just have not heard one but, they are rare. What most people think are top notch systems are just a hap hazard collection of equipment strapped together and turned on. Very few systems are purposely designed and skillfully tuned in a room designed for music reproduction." Mijostyn- You're right, I need to hear EVERY system on the planet first to make such a statement. We can agree on music music chosen for the attempt-King Crimson. I can't imagine hearing a version of "The Court of the Krimson King" that sounds "real" So much R&R that's great music, but not so great pressings. Maybe I just haven't heard a "stamper" copy on the right setup? There is plenty of interesting stuff going on in that tune it would be the litmus test for a system. "they have better things to spend their money on. (a 911 and an Italian bicycle" We've discussed this before...Waiting right now after dropping a few bucks on a new rig. The wait is at least 4 months lead still(slow boat from China) https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-pro-disc-frameset-2021 It's the "cheaper" model! Going the impractical/ex$pensive route- purchased this one and parting it with stuff I like since an off the shelf model doesn't offer SRAM wireless. Even If I could afford this, but I would STILL end up swapping out things. Also not a fan of the integrated seatpost. https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/tcr-advanced-sl-disc-0-2021 A lot of dough and you STILL have to pedal it The LAST bike...I think? Anxious to finally ride full disc and WIRELESS! |
Hello, I agree with Mijostyn, The recording has to be really good and correct. My system and room are very close. I recently auditioned the Ayre KX-R $30,000 preamp. I know if I had the matching mono blocks and the right speakers it would be right there with the right recording. I have already experienced it. One thing that really helped was the Puritan PSM156. Before I bought that the decay on my system was on the light side. Now, the gap between tracks is a lot less. I’ll bet you didn’t know there was music in that space. There is! I also bought the Puritan Ultimate XX power cable to go from the Puritan to the wall. Please audition this thing if you can. You need subs. Sorry but you do if you want to reach this level of sound. All of your equipment has to be on on par. Also, all of those tweaks MC says to do, do them. They all make a difference if done right. Also, you need a full range speaker. Those open baffle speakers are awesome. I think with those and a couple of subs that hit a true 20 hz you are there. That being said. Not everyone is trying to believe they are at a live concert. Most are just trying to reproduce the recording the way the artist intended it to be heard. This is why I still like the idea of the audiophile coffee/ bar. Coffee shop in the morning, sandwich shop in the afternoon, and listening club with alcohol at night. The only negatives I heard are theft and smoke. We don’t allow smoking inside in the Chicagoland area. As far as theft figure it out. That’s why we have insurance. If you are in the Chicagoland area then you can audition the Puritan at: https://holmaudio.com/ if you are in the Atlanta area: https://www.11stereo.com/. There is a YouTube video about this by Mike at 11Stereo: Mike goes by OCDHifiguy on YouTube. He has two videos about this Puritan PSM156 for the speakers. https://www.spatialaudiolab.com/shop |
- 60 posts total