Tube CDP/DAC sound: too "refined"?

Midrange.......is everything. Getting it right isn't all that easy.
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"It's fun and beautiful to listen at initially but on the long run it becomes... boring. It's like too much crême fraiche: it could be surprisingly tasty, but after a few times it won't surprise you any longer."

I really enjoy my "crême fraiche" and I didn't find it boring....But I guess these are my preferences. I agree with Mrtennis and I like what Tomryan said:

"We are all looking for that perfect balance and everyone has a different point in that balance that sounds right to them."

&

"better to enjoy the
sound" whatever it is than worrying about texture and smoothness. after all, a stereo stsreo is for entertainment."

Tom, yes..the Germans seem to have a predeliction for what they call precision. I recall a visit at the house of an afficionado with a Burmester chain, fiendishly expensive, who joyfully pointed out to me the clinking of spoons and every cough or fart in the audience in that (in)famous recording of "Jazz in the Pawnshop". When the Sax came in, my ears went in to protection mode. French speakers I am not really familiar with anymore, but when I auditioned some many years ago I was never enticed to buy them. I went for Quad, the midrange of which came closest to what I experienced when listening to live music and yes, I agree that stereo is for entertainment, but it certainly is not entertaining if it does not sound "right". Blessed are those audiophiles who avoid being contaminated by a live musical event.(:
Cheers, D

I really enjoy my "crême fraiche"

Off topic: what's the trick to write the accent (btw, it's on top of the i in fraiche, not the creme)??

May I propose the qUote of the day

stereo is for entertainment, but it certainly is not entertaining if it does not sound "right"

Thank you, Detlof (and good to see you back more often).

Speakers that got the midrange right in my room:

ProAc Response 2.5
Merlin TSM MX
Spendor 3/1
Spendor 3/5
Harbeth C7 2
Dynaudio Focus 140 & 110

I'm now using Audio Physic Steps and getting excellent midrange. I think there are lots of speakers today that get it right. I know the Audio Physic is a German design but it gives me just the right amount of detail and fullness of tone.

If my room was big enough I'd have the smallest of the new Quads.

By the way, you've gotta be suspicious of anyone who uses "Jazz At The Pawnshop" to demonstrate a system. Check out "Organic Grooves" by Essence All Stars and "Andrew!!!" by Andrew Hill.