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Why Does My Current Music Sound So Much Better than It Did in the 80’s?

I’ve got to ask…maybe someone here knows…is my current system more realistic sounding than what I used to listen to in the 80’s? I’m just impressed by the sound I have now, I just don’t remember it sounding in the 80’s so real, present and full range.

Then I had a Marantz 2245, JBL L166 tower speakers, usually vinyl on a Dual turntable with a Shure V15 Type 2 or 3.  This was decent stuff at that time.

Now I listen to internet radio on my iPad, usually radio.garden jazz, through an Apple AirPort Express router, to B&O BeoLab8000 speakers, a Hsu ULS 15 Mk II and a Paradigm Series 7 12in Monitor sub.  I set up In a big 20ft by 40ft room now with lots of hard surfaces.  I’ve invested very little in this system, yet I’m amazed at the sound.

it’s unlikely that my ears are better…anyone care to rake a stab at why things sound so better to me now?  It would be interesting to understand the evolution of sound.

128x128tcotruvo
tcotruvo's avatar
tcotruvo OP
179 posts
 

In the 80’s I listened to classical, including piano and Spanish guitar, and vocals like Joan Baez.  So there were instruments.  Later I added a CD player, listening to the same type of music.

it seems that the quality of what I hear now on radio.garden isn’t always the same high quality though, but when it’s good it’s really good.

edcyn
1,876 posts
 

Science becomes increasingly more sensitive & skilled at dancing with art, Makers with ears some up with new ways to skin the cat.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 

In the 80’s I listened to classical, including piano and Spanish guitar, and vocals like Joan Baez. So there were instruments. Later I added a CD player, listening to the same type of music.

1980s classical on CD was not very good. The music biz was in transition from analogue to digital recording and mastering. A few record labels got it right, some didn’t. It took DG years to get up to speed with digital. And electronic pop/rock/new wave sounded harsh.

After a short honeymoon with CD played on a decent Teac, I went back to playing records.

Over time CDP technology improved, so many of these early CDs sound very good today.

sns
3,209 posts
 

Yep, mostly digital recording and playback  innovations, 80's digital was atrocious.

chayro
2,985 posts
 

Because you were younger and having too much of a good time to care about what your hifi sounded like. 

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