Why isn’t more detail always better?

More detail is the Holy Grail. How that information is presented is where things get tricky.

I agree. The new amp is a second generation Class D design that uses GaN transistor technology. Seeing what the latest and greatest technology can (cost effectively) do with the sound I hear is always of interest to me. Done well, technical innovations can yield better results than was possible prior. The amp it replaces use a Hypex NCore Class D module that is now several years old and not GaN. That replaced an amp with older Icepower Class D technology done very well at the time by Bel Canto. None of these amps are slouches but each sounds much different for sure.

Too much detail can be very distracting I discovered that with a fantastic pushpull 45 amp in my system it was just too much.

Too much detail can be very distracting I discovered that with a fantastic pushpull 45 amp in my system it was just too much.

I get that.

Myself, since a kid I’ve always had the goal of being able to hear all the details in a recording and have the sound keep drawing me in for extended periods of listening. I’ve been good with getting drawn in for long listening sessions for a number of years but experience told me I was not getting everything recordings may have to offer. So still working on that part hopefully moving forward without taking any steps backwards.

Fun🍾Fun🍾Fun🍾!

Just so you don’t have a conversation with yourself. :P I am experiencing this right now on a smaller level. I have switched from a Chord 2Qute to a Holo Cyan 2 DAC and the "bloom" on Cyan 2 is much more emotional and has that sense of naturalness. While detailed, it’s not as clear or resolving as the 2Qute. I use an LTA MZ3 as a preamp and headphone amp both. For 2 channel, the 2Qute, MZ3, Orchard Audio GaN amp, and Neat Petite speakers has amazing synergy. When I add in the Cyan 2 it goes away, but is amazing with my headphone setup.

I am listening more with headphones these days due to my space and work scheduling. I was listening to an album(Peter Gabriel: I’ll Scratch Your Back) the other night and it nearly brought me to tears with the Cyan 2. While not as detailed as the 2 Qute the instruments and his voice were so emotional and had that "bloom".

I want it all: Detail and bloom. :-)

Detail is important to me but I don’t chase it or look to keep getting more of it per se. 
 

I really prioritize the ability to scale.  I often describe this as the difference between a hyper resolving thumbnail view of the music that borders on precise VERSUS another that is less detailed but has size and body. 
 

every year at AXPONA I hear some hyper detailed system and enjoy looking into the picture for a short while, then I miss hearing a less detailed presentation. 
 

Whatever floats your boat!