John Darko is a hi-fi critic that love electronica
As a chill electronica listener, should I stop at a Med-Fi system?
Hi All,
As an electronica music listener of chill, downtempo, folk, and similar music, is there any point of me seeking an ultra high resolution system...DAC, cables, power conditioning..etc?
If its all about the source material, much of the music i listen to is not an orchestra or live band with lots of microphones, so I'm assuming there's not a ton of imaging and micro-detail going on.
Is there, then, any purpose to seeking equipment that can resolve all of those little details? Should i just stop at a healthy Mid-Fi System?
Example of Chill Music
Meadowlark - Can I have this Dance (Youtube)
Meadowlark - Can I have this Dance (Spotify)
Example of Chill Electronica Music
Meadowlark - Can I have this Dance [EMBERZ Remix] (Youtube)
Meadowlark - Can I have this Dance [EMBERZ Remix] (Spotify)
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- 20 posts total
@larsman I believe when it comes to electronica you want all the details. |
@all I feel as if i will have to re-do my system and start with a sensitive speaker, like Omega Super Alnico. Then i can get used to hearing more detail, and increase components along the way (DAC, cables, etc) to get even more detail. I'm currently using Bryston Mini-Ts and they have enjoyable sound, plus low bass, so i'm going to keep them...but i definitely need to try out a much more sensitive offering to hear what detail is all about. I might even consider electrostatic speakers i'm not sure. |
Good quality speakers are the place to start. The real trick in buying speakers is getting ones that really speak to you… you have get an emotional connection with. To do that… I really recommend listening to speakers… as many and as high end as possible. Even if you are not going to buy really expensive ones… it will show you the character you like. Then, you can slowly swap out electronics to best support the speakers you chose. There are a number of strategies to music reproduction, like: really efficient speakers and low power components, inefficient speakers that are very accurate (ridged cones so they snap back quick… but require lots of power), electrostatic / planner… that reproduce sounds way into the high frequencies and impact what you can hear through harmonics. The major groupings have advantages and disadvantages…
I recommend Robert Harley’s book, The Complete Guide to High End Audio. It will show you the different classes of speakers… pros and cons, how to pick them out and get supporting electronics.
One more word about sound. Detail is one of a dozen sound characteristics that are important in choosing equipment. It is also probably the easiest to get and in doing so get an unlistenable harsh system. If I read highly detailed… without lots of additional discussion on how natural and warm sounding it is, with a low noice floor… I go running the other direction. Getting a high end system does not require enormous amounts of money, but it does require education and lots of thought… then you’ll get an incredible system. |
- 20 posts total