I’ve actually heard very few systems that disappear and get out of the way of the music. Most that I have heard draw attention to themselves in someway or another.
What are the Top Horn Speakers in the World Today? Vox Olympian vs Avantgarde Trio vs ???
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I’ve actually heard very few systems that disappear and get out of the way of the music. Most that I have heard draw attention to themselves in someway or another.
If you say so. I approach most new systems with an open mind. I do not know what to expect. I sit down and listen to what is being presented. I make up my own mind based on my own senses and my own experiences to judge whether or not the system disappears and gets out of the way of the music.
I’m sure others approach the same exercise differently. Only a couple times has an owner had such a degree of confidence that he simply asked me to select a record my choice, put it on the turntable, and sit down and listen. It has also happened at two dealerships.
We are here in the domain of subjective appreciation of systems.
Whether PeterA "forgets" the system and "is left to enjoy the genius of the composers and artistry of the musicians" or not is only useful information if you have heard his system (in which case, his comments are not really relevant) or heard other systems which he likes as well.
Anyone can say the same thing of their system, and many do.
I am often left to enjoy the genius of the composers and artistry of the musicians listening to something on my phone - these types of vague comments are not really very useful. But ok, everyone can express their enthusiasm in whichever way they like.
I was not describing my system. I was describing the very few other systems that have truly disappeared when I sat down to listen to them and was left with only the music and my thoughts conjured by the music. That is the essence of a natural sounding system. It does not draw attention to itself and leaves you with the music. You may have a different experience and state of mind. Cool. Everything may indeed be great, just not someone's "cup of tea."
If I sit in front of my desktop speakers and am immersed in the music, "left to enjoy the genius of the composers and artistry of the musicians", I can say it is a "natural sounding system". Cool.
Yes, that is possible. Sometimes very moderate systems that are well balanced, and do not draw attention to themselves do in fact disappear. I heard this from a small desktop system actually playing digital in a friends office. It sounded natural and was very cool indeed.
Visit one particular forum and they believe that's the case - "if it measures well, it's sounds as good as it possibly can". What rubbish! In fact, I'm wondering if most of their contributors are actually deaf, in which case, the display they see on their PC screens is as near real music as they'll ever get. We, who have ears, know different!
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Sure, Ron. Six systems, excluding my own.
1. David Karmeli's main system with the Bionors and ML3 with JBL subs on ML2s, Neumann DST, vintage wires.
2. David Karmeli's demo system with the small Mitsubishi Diatones (rare 16 ohm version) and ML2s, rest same as main system.
3. Lloyd Walker's exhibition system at RMAF 2010 with his turntable, TAD CR1 speakers, Bilboa (sp) amps
4. Leonardo da Vinci panels (predecessor to Allysivox) with Galibier turntable, 14 watt tube amps, at NYC show 2012
5. Sound By Singer, Magico original wood M5 speakers, Basis or Brinkmann turntable, SS amps, can't remember
6. Goodwin's High End, Magico Mini 2, Spectral electronics, Basis turntable
All of these systems presented a natural sound with clarity and energy. No flaws or issues drew attention to themselves. Different rooms, different gear, all with minimal to zero system sound. My mind went right to the music each time. Notice the lack of SET/horns.
I wrote "excluding my system" from the list. These were special shop demos. They are very rare. These were different sounding very early Magico speakers and they had everything to do with set up and rest of gear. My Q3 sounded natural with the Pass XA after changes to Micro Seiki, the room, wires, treatments and then more so with Lamm M1.1. Ron asked, I answered.
no; this is expectation bias in the reverse. they believe what their leader tells them....or.....they believe what their engineering professor (or authority figure) told them. or they are missing the 'fun' chromosome.
listening requires an open mind to allow it to be believed. you can choose to hear, but still not listen.
but i respect that they are simply in a different head space than one i prefer. live and let live.
Very interesting, Peter.
These systems reflect a very wide variety of components.
Thank you.
No I don’t. If two systems both disappear and let you focus on the musical content, then by definition you should be just as happy with either one - otherwise you are not telling us the whole story.
I listed six systems above which all disappeared and allowed me to focus on the music rather than the system. I did not say each system sounds the same. Nor did I say I liked each system equally or that each presented the music with the same degree of naturalism.
We all make our choices and I chose to buy the system that presents the music as closely to my favorite system on that list.
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