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Ohio - Over the Rhine

I lived near the Pennsylvania/ Ohio state line when I was 16. It was a profoundly emotional time of my life… 1968. I grew up in Chicago and only spent a year and a half in a very backwards part of the country. I lived out West since I have was 18 years old.

 

When I first heard the tune Ohio, I just could not move. The emotional impact just overwhelming. Since then, many years ago… one of the most moving songs… to me… and albums.

 

So, I have a ripped version, the streamed version, and the CD version. I got wrapped up in listening to the album, at first, my stored file (see my systems), then streamed, then CD… I ordered the vinyl… this is interesting. They are virtually identical. But I did notice a very slight more forward presentation on the CD version… very slight, on my system… which is everything. But the emotional connection… the warmth and musicality is the same.

 

Systems can be like this now. Such a minuscule difference… but with the same deep emotional connection… a great time for audio.

ghdprentice
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millercarbon
12,531 posts
 

It really is a golden age in terms of components. The best solid state, tube, analog, and digital continue to converge ever closer to believeability. But this has been the trend for a very long time. What makes this a golden age is a combination of two other trends that are really building steam. One is affordability, performance once nearly unattainable is now readily available and affordable. The other is the way this has combined with a much deeper understanding of audio has led to such a wide range of components that address things such as acoustics, isolation and power. Today it is truly impressive what can be achieved for only a few thousand dollars with a modern comprehensive system approach.

2psyop's avatar
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2psyop
1,564 posts
 

ghdprentice, I have lived in Ohio my whole life. Shipped to many awful places in the Army and traveled to many states but always ended up back here. Funny Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd had some words back and forth in song but I still enjoyed both band because they really sang about America. Probably will never get into modern pop music, but these kinds of bands and song writers were my cup of tea. Also, about the sound system topic I say everyone find what you like and enjoy listening. Don’t get too caught up in the technical or what another person’s opinion is. I try to really relax and enjoy what I have....nowadays.

ghdprentice OP
6,965 posts
 

@millercarbon 

I agree… this really is becoming a golden age. Convergence. Used to be digital could not come close to vinyl at any cost and solid state was too cold and analytical while tube tended to be warm but poor in detail. Now, hard work can net spectacular results with really strong emotional conveyance.

ghdprentice OP
6,965 posts
 

@2psyop

I lived on the border just inside Pennsylvania in a tiny company town where high school specialties were drinking, not finishing school, getting pregnant, taking a job at the one factory, becoming an alcoholic and abusive. Fortunately, I was an outsider an managed to stay clear of the main stream. Over the Rhine captures the hopelessness of this rural plight. Obviously, not everywhere is like this… but I sure was dropped in the middle of it.

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