audiophile angst

W9TR

W9TR

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I found this to be an interesting article. It reminded my very much of threads on this and other forums on optimizing digital audio playback. The casual observer would have no idea what is being discussed.

Fidelity Angst — Real Life
 
Excerpt: As hi-fi journalist Patrick Dillon has written, “A three-decade obsession with sound has convinced me that the natural state of an audiophile is not, as we are promised, the relaxed contemplative state of auditory bliss, but the slightly anxious ambivalence of uncertainty…. You will live with a persistent sense that all is not quite well, that you could do better, and that your system is always in need of something.”



Absolutely nailed it!!



.
 
Too bad the article started with discussing T Bone Burnette, whose producing (or mastering) has ruined or at least worsened the sound of many albums, including the two mentioned.
 
Nikhil said:
Excerpt: As hi-fi journalist Patrick Dillon has written, “A three-decade obsession with sound has convinced me that the natural state of an audiophile is not, as we are promised, the relaxed contemplative state of auditory bliss, but the slightly anxious ambivalence of uncertainty…. You will live with a persistent sense that all is not quite well, that you could do better, and that your system is always in need of something.”



Absolutely nailed it!!



.
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That’s my favorite part of the article. I’ve for the most part jumped off the merry-go-round and am enjoying exploring new music on the systems I’ve assembled. It’s a nice place to be. But boy a pair of Aida’s would sure be a nice upgrade from my Amati Futura’s. Or maybe something from dCS to replace my Yggy. :)
 
W9TR said:
That’s my favorite part of the article. I’ve for the most part jumped off the merry-go-round and am enjoying exploring new music on the systems I’ve assembled. It’s a nice place to be. But boy a pair of Aida’s would sure be a nice upgrade from my Amati Futura’s. Or maybe something from dCS to replace my Yggy. :)
Click to expand...

That's a quote from an article I had linked previously
The article you linked is pretty funny, a "new" 19th century stereo format...in 2022 :)

cheers,

AJ
 
Uh oh, seems I've triggered MEP again.
mep said:
So how's multi-channel music going in 2022?
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Hi Mark, probably not as well as McDonalds or Bose, but your yardsticks aren't mine. It's all preference and subjective, remember?

mep said:
How many members on AS besides you listen to multi-channel music?
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Ok I give up, how many?
I'm more shepherd than obsessing what the flock does. YMMV.
Btw, if you're ever forced into a concert hall, sound comes from all around you. Sorta like this: onhifi.com -- Features Archives
"Where's the Real Magazine?" As We See It, February 2001 | Stereophile.com
That said, if this "new" Ionic business helps your angst, party on! it's all subjective.
Appeal to popularity
Have a great weekend

cheers,

AJ
 
AJ Soundfield said:
Uh oh, seems I've triggered MEP again.

Hi Mark, probably not as well as McDonalds or Bose, but your yardsticks aren't mine. It's all preference and subjective, remember?


Ok I give up, how many?
I'm more shepherd than obsessing what the flock does. YMMV.
Btw, if you're ever forced into a concert hall, sound comes from all around you. Sorta like this: onhifi.com -- Features Archives
"Where's the Real Magazine?" As We See It, February 2001 | Stereophile.com
That said, if this "new" Ionic business helps your angst, party on! it's all subjective.
Appeal to popularity
Have a great weekend

cheers,

AJ
Click to expand...

So if you're the Shepard, how many sheep are in your multi-channel flock? My guess is that if we sheared all the sheep in your flock, there wouldn't be enough wool to knit a pair of socks.
 
mep said:
So if you're the Shepard, how many sheep are in your multi-channel flock?
Click to expand...
Again no idea, how many McDonalds burgers and Bose cubes sold are your appeals, not mine. I walk fine without crutches.

mep said:
My guess is that if we sheared all the sheep in your flock, there wouldn't be enough wool to knit a pair of socks.
Click to expand...
Knitting one of your pastimes? Does it help your angst? Hey, as long as you're satisfied, including with two 19th through 21st century channels, all good. If the shoe fits...

cheers,

AJ
 
I get the angst of engineers trying to make the sound the best they can. I don't understand having angst and a nervous condition over personal audio equipment.

For me, reading much of that was like looking at early Robert Rauschenberg paintings which were often a series of white canvases hung in a row. I would go from one to the next to the next to the next and in the end and think, they are all the same.
 
CPP said:
Maybe, but he won multiple Grammy's for some of his work, so someone likes what he's doing.
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Since when has this been a measure of artistic or technical excellence??

Take a listen to some of the albums he has produced. If, like many "audiophiles", you are someone who isn't bothered by severe dynamic compression, you may like the sound. OTOH, if clipped peaks and otherwise squashed dynamics make listening tiresome and unenjoyable you will see what I mean.
 
AJ Soundfield said:
That's a quote from an article I had linked previously
The article you linked is pretty funny, a "new" 19th century stereo format...in 2022 :)

cheers,

AJ
Click to expand...

That was a good read. I liked this part best. ;)
“7) In an attempt to appear cost-sensitive, you will dabble in DIY. This could take many forms, but your new-found obsession with affordable paper-in-oil capacitors and high-quality resistors will serve as a shield against claims that you have become a nutter.”
 
I absolutely love the AJ and Mark show! You guys would knock it out of the park with a YouTube channel. Reading the banter helps me relieve my audio angst.


AJ Soundfield said:
Again no idea, how many McDonalds burgers and Bose cubes sold are your appeals, not mine. I walk fine without crutches.


Knitting one of your pastimes? Does it help your angst? Hey, as long as you're satisfied, including with two 19th through 21st century channels, all good. If the shoe fits...

cheers,

AJ
Click to expand...
 
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