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Most educational audition you ever had?

What's your experience? Not what was the best preamp or amp or speaker you heard, but what audition changed your pre-conceived notions of audio in one audition, for better or worse? What was the most educational? Where, when, what, and why.
I've had the pleasure to audition various pieces of audio equipment for the last 25 years or so at dealer showrooms, audio shows, and fellow audiophiles' homes. But for me it was an audition of Revel Studio (the newer version) loudspeakers with all new at the time (500 series ?) Levinson equipment at a dealer's showroom in Northern Virginia, about 2 years ago. I went in only to look at CD/SACD players (from Marantz or Esoteric) but heard this system.
What was educational for me? I found a CD they had that I was familiar with (a Living Stereo or Presence SACD of Gershwin Rhapsody in Blue), and having listened to it in my own system over the years, with changes in homes, rooms, and equipment, what struck me was the soundstage -- something I had never heard before. This soundstage on this older recording, on this system, was confined to a box about 4' by 4' between the speakers, much like a TV. It was like it was cut out with a scapel. The speakers were probably 10' or more apart and I was at least that distance from them. The edges of the 'box' were very distinct - something I have never heard before or since, that is, there was sound from the box and not anywhere outside of it. Almost weird. The dealer did have a good system set up and room, something many of my auditions over the years have not had. So I'm sure that was a big contributor to what I heard. Anyway, for me it was a first, in terms of how distinct a soundstage could be compared to so many other systems and rooms.
So, as to the question of the post, I am not saying it was or wasn't the the 'best' system I ever heard, or the last word in any one category of bass/treble/realism, or musicality, (except soundstanging in my case), but in this way I described, it was very educational for me.
What was yours?
jimmy2615
trelja
3,224 posts
 
+2 Mrtennis.

Isochronism, "At the 2012 Waldorf NYC Audio show the room with the Quad speakers was the best sounding room to me by a good measure."

I absolutely agree with you. In fact, after hearing Robin Wyatt's room, I put my money where my mouth is, and bought a pair. After living with them for more than a year now, my enthusiasm hasn't at all diminished.

Most remarkable that in the age of five to six figure loudspeakers, one introduced almost sixty years ago, and obtainable (depending on condition and/or restoration) for $750 - $5000, can leave that kind of impression on folks.
chayro
3,010 posts
 
Most educational was, without a doubt, the difference an upgraded preamp made in the system. The sound was consistent with what I thought would be the result of a better amplifier - more power, articulate bass, etc. A good preamp is much more than just an input selector and volume control. But like everything else in this stupid hobby, a good preamp costs good money.
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
Trelja, Technology that stands the test of time usually stands the test of mine:)
It would be nice if members here displayed their A'gon moniker on their shirt at shows. Everyone with half an ear liked that room, so I could not pick you out:)
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