In pursuit of the golden ear.

Well you have to take it in stages, you'll need to move up to silver ears first, then golden ears. :)

I don't look at it as golden ears so much as simply experience. There is no substitute for experience. Whether listening live, or to many different pieces of equipment. It just comes down to listening, pure and simple. Listen carefully, not critically, make sure you enjoy the music.
The real answer is just years of experience.
There are no secrets to replace 20-40 or more years of experience in this hobby. Sure, you could take a crash course and listen to 5 (or more) preamps (or whatever) a year for 10 years to hasten the learning curve.

In the end it simply boils down to experience, as this journey is a constant learning process. Those you refer to as 'golden ears', probably have just heard many more pieces of equipment than you have. So get out there and start experiencing it for yourself.

And remember, your own ears are your best resource. Not even the highest rated alledged 'golden ear' can tell you what sounds good to you. After much experience, you'll better understand your tastes and what you like. That's all that really matters, isn't it?

John

Just as long as your ear isn't tin, you should be okay.

perception is reality. if an "expert" tells you the highs are extended, the bass is deep, the soundstage is wide, etc., he/she doesn't accompany you home when you listen to your stereo system. it is more important what you believe you hear than what an "expert" tells you he hears or what you should hear.

just enjoy the music.

Get yourself a good piano or a guitar. Learn to play it. Also place it in a controlled enviroment like they would in a studio. If you know the instrument then you can ceratainly judge recordings and gear accordingly. That is how I do it... I play piano and guitar and know both instruments inside-out. I can immediatly tell you if there is the slightest flutter on i.e. a piano recording...

You have to know live music to judge equipment and albums...

Best of luck,
Dewald Visser

I don't really think of it as having a "Golden Ear." About two years ago my system, which I got in 1987, became less and less satisfying. I started a search for a system that "scratched my itch." Some of the first systems I listened to seemed dull and lifeless. Another system I listened to at a high end place in New York City had components in which the highs seemed somewhat strident and the lows were almost absent. I went to second place. They had a system that seemed the fulfillment of all my fantasies. From top to bottom the sound was there. Transients were crisp. The overall impression was of almost being there at the performance. (I say almost, because there is no system that can completely capture everything in a live orchestral performance). After listening to several CDs, my overall impression was that everything sounded "natural."

About a year ago I came across the question, "What is the best indicator of a great high end system?" The response: "There is lots of air around the performers and instruments."

From my experience, I would say forget about the "highs" and "lows." I would use the following tests: 1) Does the music sound natural? 2) Does the music sound alive? 3) Is there plenty of air around the performers? 4) Is there is sense of a wide and deep soundstage before you? (Not appropriate question if your're listening to soloists or a small ensemble) 5) As you listen, do you feel you are in audio Nirvana? If you can say "yes" a lot, then you are in the right neighborhood.