It's always great to learn stuff
Although neutral it would seem is meant by audiophile to represent a more objective reality which might be a scientific use of the term
Neutral also in an used in artistic or colour context has. meaning such as bland"
A bland patina can colour something as much as any other colour
Of the great systems I have heard, the timbral colour of various instruments "pop" into reality in contrast to other instruments with different timbral colours
Where things become difficult is where u are differentiating true harmonic timbral content with artificial content
To some extent artificial boosting may give some great semblance of reality over a system that bleaches them out
Thus a more coloured system may sound more real than one that fails to deliver the harmonics either real or false
Also you can manipulate the harmonic envelope to enhance certain zones
Plus some artefacts of the recording process which are inherently incongruent with correct harmonic balance of instruments may be down played by some components especially speakers, thus they are less accurate as reproducing transducers but more musical in terms of perceived enjoyment
I still believe "neutral" as an adjective is a two edged sword
Another word might better express what we are seeking which is musical truth
Science objectivism is tricky, as although we are using electronic devices to reproduce music, our hearing and what we perceive is a value judgement and determined to some extent in non linear manner by our ears and brain
For example large amounts of second harmonics is perceived as innocuous, and small amounts of high order harmonics are found by some to be highly objectionable
Scientifically you could say, that the amplifier with low THD is more neutral ie it adds less, that amplifier with high levels of second harmonic distortion
However, it is quite possible in terms of perception that the amplifier with more second order harmonics is deemed more true to life
If we were to judge neutrality in a sceientific metric then virtually no value amplifiers could be considered neutral, as they add large amounts of low harmonic distortion
However in terms of human hearing perception, small quantities of high order harmonics is perceived objectable and unreal by many
So which is more neutral?
Having said all this, may experience of Soulution is they are so low in any distortion, that true timbral colours comes through. I have not experienced spectral so can make no comment on them. I have heard Soulution in a number of contexts. Provided everything is optimised they can be wonderful, however as they add so little patina of their own, everything put through them, must be at its best to hear what they are capable of
I have heard:-
720
700
725
701
520
501
740
745
750
755
Although neutral it would seem is meant by audiophile to represent a more objective reality which might be a scientific use of the term
Neutral also in an used in artistic or colour context has. meaning such as bland"
A bland patina can colour something as much as any other colour
Of the great systems I have heard, the timbral colour of various instruments "pop" into reality in contrast to other instruments with different timbral colours
Where things become difficult is where u are differentiating true harmonic timbral content with artificial content
To some extent artificial boosting may give some great semblance of reality over a system that bleaches them out
Thus a more coloured system may sound more real than one that fails to deliver the harmonics either real or false
Also you can manipulate the harmonic envelope to enhance certain zones
Plus some artefacts of the recording process which are inherently incongruent with correct harmonic balance of instruments may be down played by some components especially speakers, thus they are less accurate as reproducing transducers but more musical in terms of perceived enjoyment
I still believe "neutral" as an adjective is a two edged sword
Another word might better express what we are seeking which is musical truth
Science objectivism is tricky, as although we are using electronic devices to reproduce music, our hearing and what we perceive is a value judgement and determined to some extent in non linear manner by our ears and brain
For example large amounts of second harmonics is perceived as innocuous, and small amounts of high order harmonics are found by some to be highly objectionable
Scientifically you could say, that the amplifier with low THD is more neutral ie it adds less, that amplifier with high levels of second harmonic distortion
However, it is quite possible in terms of perception that the amplifier with more second order harmonics is deemed more true to life
If we were to judge neutrality in a sceientific metric then virtually no value amplifiers could be considered neutral, as they add large amounts of low harmonic distortion
However in terms of human hearing perception, small quantities of high order harmonics is perceived objectable and unreal by many
So which is more neutral?
Having said all this, may experience of Soulution is they are so low in any distortion, that true timbral colours comes through. I have not experienced spectral so can make no comment on them. I have heard Soulution in a number of contexts. Provided everything is optimised they can be wonderful, however as they add so little patina of their own, everything put through them, must be at its best to hear what they are capable of
I have heard:-
720
700
725
701
520
501
740
745
750
755