Problems with believability in audio

[microstrip]

Am I the only audiophile whose sole sonic criteria when evaluating two components with vocals is: Does it sound more like or does it sound less like a live person is in the room singing to me?

You will need many systems to please you!

There is such variation in stereo recording techniques that this kind of comparison depends mostly on the recording. IMO we need some methodology and analysis to make our choices in a converging way.

 

[Ron Resnick]

You will need many systems to please you!

There is such variation in stereo recording techniques that this kind of comparison depends mostly on the recording. IMO we need some methodology and analysis to make our choices in a converging way.

It is not this complicated. Each recording is what it is.

I can compare two components and decide, with each recording, which sounds more like a live person singing to me in the room. This is a legitimate subjective comparison between those two components.

 

[Al M.]

Agreed. No brightness in my experience as well.

Well, there's obviously quite a bit of agreement here. If the Tambaqui sounded bright in Brad's (morricab's) system it makes you wonder.

 

[bonzo75]

Am I the only audiophile whose sole sonic criteria when evaluating two components with vocals is: Does it sound more like or does it sound less like a live person is in the room singing to me?

This implies a coloured system that will make all vocal performances sound like they are here

 

[Al M.]

This implies a coloured system that will make all vocal performances sound like they are here

Agreed. Not everything should be "here", there should also be a "there", especially on lots of classical vocal recordings. And the "there" should be different between recordings.

 

[bonzo75]

Agreed. Not everything should be "here", there should also be a "there", especially on lots of classical vocal recordings.

Here is but there without a T

 

[Ron Resnick]

This implies a coloured system that will make all vocal performances sound like they are here

This is a fair point. I deleted from my original post "in the room."

It doesn't matter whether it sounds like they are here or I am there. All that matters is that the singer sounds the most breathing and alive.

 

[bonzo75]

This is a fair point. I deleted from my original post "in the room."

It doesn't matter whether it sounds like they are here or I am there. All that matters is that the singer sounds the most breathing and alive.

This is a very different point. I don’t know why someone will want a singer sounding dead and lifeless

 

[Ron Resnick]

This is a very different point. I don’t know why someone will want a singer sounding dead and lifeless

No, it's the same point.

Where did I suggest that "someone will want a singer sounding dead and lifeless"?

 

[SoundMann]

As is often the case with you the prejudice of your opinion exceeds the accuracy of your comment.

This statement is the product of careful analysis, and therefore I believe it to be largely correct. I try to avoid any personal prejudice in my findings, but human nature often prevails nonetheless.

 

[SoundMann]

I would argue with the limitation of available media, space requirements and cost of media, your supposition is more appropriate for analog.

And I will counter this statement by stating that analog is still the superior medium (all else being equal), and that discerning listeners still readily confirm this fact.

 

[Al M.]

This statement is the product of careful analysis, and therefore I believe it to be largely correct. I try to avoid any personal prejudice in my findings, but human nature often prevails nonetheless.

Everyone can make such claims. That doesn't necessarily make it so.

 

[bonzo75]

No, it's the same point.

Where did I suggest that "someone will want a singer sounding dead and lifeless"?

Sorry Ron, a singer live in the room each time is very different from a singer sounding alive and full of breath. I like all my music, full of breath, not just the singers. In Pictures, if you listen to Bydlo, the slow rise of the orchestra when done well by a system sounds like a person increasing in breathing...

If you swap an SS you don't like with tubes that you do, you will hear breath. That though is very different from the older post you made about a person sounding lifelike in the room, which many newbies like similar to an enveloping sound on vocals that would have the singer in the room wrapping around the listener.

 

[SoundMann]

Everyone can make such claims. That doesn't necessarily make it so.

This is my lives work. Take it as you will.

 

[Al M.]

This is my lives work.

Which may mean that you are invested in the outcome.

 

[SoundMann]

Which may mean that you are invested in the outcome.

I am but a teacher and a guide.

 

[sbo6]

And I will counter this statement by stating that analog is still the superior medium (all else being equal), and that discerning listeners still readily confirm this fact.

Sounds like plain old confirmation bias to me. But whatever makes you listen and enjoy.

IME they sound different, not better or worse as neither truly sound like the live or actual studio event.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Sorry Ron, a singer live in the room each time is very different from a singer sounding alive and full of breath. I like all my music, full of breath, not just the singers. In Pictures, if you listen to Bydlo, the slow rise of the orchestra when done well by a system sounds like a person increasing in breathing...

If you swap an SS you don't like with tubes that you do, you will hear breath. That though is very different from the older post you made about a person sounding lifelike in the room, which many newbies like similar to an enveloping sound on vocals that would have the singer in the room wrapping around the listener.

Again, I deleted "in the room" in my formulation.

 

[bonzo75]

Again, I deleted "in the room" in my formulation.

Sure that’s why i said it totally makes it a different point. I think almost everyone will agree with the new point, a nice recording through a nice system will make singers and players seem full of life and breath.

 

[SoundMann]

Sounds like plain old confirmation bias to me. But whatever makes you listen and enjoy.

IME they sound different, not better or worse as neither truly sound like the live or actual studio event.

Hearing a direct to disc record thru a true reference analog setup may change your mind.