I would like to add that Viber's knowledge of Classical music is excellent and though I never commented publicly, I thought his recommendations on "introductory level" music were superb. I am also a fan of classical music--decades ago, I studied cello at a high level--and I have some different "introductory level" favorites but nothing better than his. I have a current favorite Saint Saens Symphony #3 (Organ) to recommend as a solid performance but an amazing recording: Reference Recording: Michael Stern, Kansas City Symphony. Viber is a fantastic resource if you want to learn about classical music, conductors, musicians, etc. No reservations!
Clearly I feel his views and sound preferences on equipment are not in line with the majority and they would result in a dramatically inferior sounding system were the "average" listener to build a system with his recommendations: zip cord-not high quality speaker cable, 1970's potentiometer based graphic equalizer-to artificially hype high frequencies and diminish low and mid-range, bright equipment instead of more neutral, class-D amplification in a world where very few class-D amplifiers match the capabilities of A and A/B, speaker panels with limited dynamics and little bass-even when Viber loves symphonic and concerto formats that really can't be performed at anything close to realistic levels on this style of speaker. These are all strong recommendations from Viber and to follow them would be a mistake for many... or more likely most.
I can confidently state that his views are not in line with the majority simply because he applies varying degrees of the same EQ to nearly everything. He even discounts digital EQ over his beloved Rane. If he was anywhere near middle ground he would have to goose highs on some and reduce them on some. Reduce lower midrange and bass on some and goose it on others. He does not. And many (perhaps even most) would not require any EQ. He roundly criticizes great equipment as "Euphonic" and "overly warm", etc.
According to Viber, nearly all Recording Engineers and Equipment Designers do so in a way which misses the essence of the instruments and sound. I too have been musically trained, been involved in recording music (3 of the records I have been involved in hit Billboards Top 10 in Blues, even dislodging BB King and Eric Clapton (temporarily! from the top spots). Of the dozens of recording engineers I have worked with, they ALL faithfully do their best to capture the sound that the musicians are creating. ALL! Unless the engineer was working in collaboration with the artists for a specific special effect, any engineer intentionally deviating from this would be removed. Probably immediately. Studio time is too expensive to mess around.
As stated, he and I have had numerous private, off-line respectful conversations and I have applied his EQ suggestions to my system. They turn my imminently musical system into screechy crap to my ears and again, I would suggest most listeners would feel similarly. Decreasing 200-500 Hz range by up to 5dB and goosing 8000+ Hz by up to 12 dB. Even then, I do not criticize his choices for him. Only his insistence that his choices are best for everyone else. If you are curious, I have my current system posted on "virtual systems".
Additionally, his lack of respect of other musical tastes is narrow minded. I absolutely use live, unamplified, acoustic instruments and recordings in my equipment evaluations. I also use classic rock, modern rock, studio jazz and most other available genres (except rap and speed metal, which I more or less categorically avoid! lol). Different characteristics can be learned from any of them. Probably most important in picking recordings for evaluation is that you are familiar with the them and that you like them. I have been using some of the same recordings for decades: Rush-Power Windos, McCoy Tyner-NY Reunion, Sting-Brand New Day, Beethovan Egmont Overture, Brahms Symphony 4-Fritz Reiner (Chesky), Tears for Fears-Sowing the Seeds of Love. Nothing special about this list other than I love them and have listened to each of these literally hundreds of times. Not one recording will tell me everything I want to know about a piece of equipment, but all together and I will pretty much understand what it adds...and lacks. If I am auditioning a piece of equipment, they will all get hit at some point in the process.
But as many people are looking to this thread for recommendations and evaluations, many of us fundamentally understand Viber's biases and preferences, but for those who are just starting out, it is important to call foul when recommendations are not in line with most others. This is why I make such a pest of myself. I know others agree, but just ignore him but for some deep psychological and pathological reason... I guess I can't...
And finally to Viber. I did purposely distort your pilot analogy in an attempt at mutually, self-deprecating humor. You constructed a straw man argument, I lit it on fire!
Again, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone and especially to Viber!
