Hi Raul, You say that you agree with the two statements that if you do not change the volume control level that 1) the noise level never changes and 2) that the LPs overall volume level does not change, both of these are very obvious. Therefore we would then have an unchanging "potential" noise level (some LPs are noiser than others, but your systems noise level would stay constant) and also we could immediatly tell which LP is "louder". Now all we would have to do is find a reasonable volume level.
No offence take on the Hagerman comments, my intention not to bring equipment into the mix was to keep the discussion on topic and not to bring other variables into it.
Raul said, "for example: two similar room-audio systems with the same model speakers but with a " little " different speaker specification: sensitivity, one 86 db at one meter and the other 90 db on that same efficiency factor.
Do you think that you can/could be satisfied obtaining ( the same for both ) that 83 db at your seat position?, well maybe yes and maybe not depending on your amplifier ( between other things ) and if that amplifier mantain his distortions level at any measure current demanding. In our example we are " asking " more than double watts at the amplifier with the 86 db efficiency speaker and I'm almost sure that the distortion of that amplifier will be higher in this case and over the time from listening to this speaker ( against the other ) the ear/brain fatigue will be higher and maybe you have to lower that SPL."
I say EXACTLY! If your system is incapable of producing this level, why would you turn your system up above that point for any LP! You need to approach the reference level not attack it.
This is how one would set up their system. Play back every LP at the same gain setting. Are there LPs that are too loud at that level? Back it off or figure out why this is so. Are some LPs too low at that Level? How can that be? Is you system unable to handle the dynamics of various LPs? Do you have to turn your system up and down in an attempt to get dynamics or a "correct" level for a type of music? Is your system compressing even simple things like the various recording levels of different LPs?
And let's not forget that alot of LPs are not recorded/mastered/pressed correctly, these are the LPs we are trying to ferret out. LPs that are not "correct" are not made any better by changing volume levels. Especially overly compressed LPs such as B. Springsteen etc.. turning up a vintage rock LP, only serves to bring up its noise level.
Raul said, "imagine hundred of factors that influence what we are hearing in our audio system and you can see that that subject is complex!!!! for say the least."
I say you are correct and that those are the factors that we need to address in our system/room interaction to obtain fine playback. Not changing gain/bass levels to mask the problems.
Again, don't get too hung up on "the number" it is just one part of the equation. There is much more to it than that.
Bob
No offence take on the Hagerman comments, my intention not to bring equipment into the mix was to keep the discussion on topic and not to bring other variables into it.
Raul said, "for example: two similar room-audio systems with the same model speakers but with a " little " different speaker specification: sensitivity, one 86 db at one meter and the other 90 db on that same efficiency factor.
Do you think that you can/could be satisfied obtaining ( the same for both ) that 83 db at your seat position?, well maybe yes and maybe not depending on your amplifier ( between other things ) and if that amplifier mantain his distortions level at any measure current demanding. In our example we are " asking " more than double watts at the amplifier with the 86 db efficiency speaker and I'm almost sure that the distortion of that amplifier will be higher in this case and over the time from listening to this speaker ( against the other ) the ear/brain fatigue will be higher and maybe you have to lower that SPL."
I say EXACTLY! If your system is incapable of producing this level, why would you turn your system up above that point for any LP! You need to approach the reference level not attack it.
This is how one would set up their system. Play back every LP at the same gain setting. Are there LPs that are too loud at that level? Back it off or figure out why this is so. Are some LPs too low at that Level? How can that be? Is you system unable to handle the dynamics of various LPs? Do you have to turn your system up and down in an attempt to get dynamics or a "correct" level for a type of music? Is your system compressing even simple things like the various recording levels of different LPs?
And let's not forget that alot of LPs are not recorded/mastered/pressed correctly, these are the LPs we are trying to ferret out. LPs that are not "correct" are not made any better by changing volume levels. Especially overly compressed LPs such as B. Springsteen etc.. turning up a vintage rock LP, only serves to bring up its noise level.
Raul said, "imagine hundred of factors that influence what we are hearing in our audio system and you can see that that subject is complex!!!! for say the least."
I say you are correct and that those are the factors that we need to address in our system/room interaction to obtain fine playback. Not changing gain/bass levels to mask the problems.
Again, don't get too hung up on "the number" it is just one part of the equation. There is much more to it than that.
Bob