2. misc-audio
  3. 181640-20253

Is a highly discerning system enjoyable?

I argue that in terms of musical enjoyment, connection, feeling the musicians and composers maybe a highly discerning system is going too far? Maybe I want the warts airbrushed out.  Maybe I like a system that lets me listen to a broader range of recordings  without whincing?

Then there’s systems which are discerning of performances vs. discerning of upstream gear. I personally feel they are not the same thing at all.

Lastly, if your room is an acoustic mess, how can you tell?

If you feel strongly either way I'd appreciate examples of the gear that made you go one way or another.

erik_squires
mahler123
3,384 posts
 

Hearing the occasional wart in a recording shouldn’t ruin your appreciation of music as a whole.  And it’s fun to notice new details in familiar recordings.  So I emphatically answer No! To the thread title

jl35
4,036 posts
 

I would think any system that makes bad recordings sound good, will also be changing the sound of good recordings...

wlutke
733 posts
 

Since discerning and emotive are not mutually exclusive, within a budget what drives my component selection? Fun with the music, then fun with the sound. I know when music takes control - involuntary movement, my spirit lifts and life is good. An upgrade must retain that quality and add to the shock and awe of the system.

So many remixes loose that quality while being a spectacular technical showcase. Like some systems.

 

 

erik_squires OP
16,289 posts
 

Often when I bring this up I think of U2 War.  Great album, mixed for boom boxes.  Is a greatly revealing system going to prevent me from hearing this album?

jl35
4,036 posts
 

I don't want my main system to ruin good recordings, so maybe a secondary system to make bed recordings sound better...

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