The value of open space

Of course, open resonant passages have been with music since the beginning of time. However in both 20th century composition and improvisation something unique was done: they became focal points with just as concentration as the notes. I am definitely not taking anything away from the great silences in, say, Gregorian chants, but someone like Morton Feldman makes subjects rather than supports out of them.

I have heard many of the great CD players, factory and modded. I still maintain that even the best of them cannot do with open resonant space what vinyl can do.

In case anyone was wondering, or wants to point the finger at my source, I use a Linn LP12 with a Rega arm and Benz Ace cartridge. My CD is a 24 bit Meridian. Nice detail, but it aint vinyl.

Yep, those Linn's do make beautiful music.

Do you have an opinion on the music of Edgard Varèse?

Also, have you heard any modern abstract artists you like? I am very fond of the music of Jan Jelinek, who also recorded under the names Farben and Gramm.

His work is available on LP and the recordings are excellent. My favorites are "Loop-Finding-Jazz" on Scape as well as "La Nouvelle Pauvreté", again on Scape Records.

Yes, you are correct Chashmal, new music makes a much more structural use of silence than old music did. The problem of bad digital/analog is that the silence becomes opaque. . . simply devoid of signal. . . the mythical black background is eventually found to be not that black after all, if the right equipment is applied in the chain. I am experiencing significant textured silence in my system with the digital X-01 Limited as the front end. I am glad you are experiencing the same through the anolog LP12. Whether I were experiencing 'better' textured silence than you or viceversa, is of course a rather meaningless question, for which there is no meaningful answer.

"I have heard many of the great CD players, factory and modded. I still maintain that even the best of them cannot do with open resonant space what vinyl can do."

Interesting statement, Chashma1. What's your confidence level?

Confidence level? I would say the same as that of my own existence: an open question. I am willing to take the challenge any time, my ears are ready. I would love to find a CD player that tears asunder the vast empty. Any suggestions?

Please suggest!