When asked what he considered the most important part of music in a short Mezzo interview, Simon Rattle, current conductor of the ?Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra resolutely answered RHYTHM!
Although most people immediately think of rock or jazz when debating rhythm, enjoyable classical music depends a
lot on rhythm. Recordings have different rhythm, and systems should portray it.
It is not easy to find what technical parameter is responsible for reproduction of the rhythm encoded in recordings in equipment - I have found that it is mostly a system matter, equipment that sounds monotonous and
rhythmical flat in some systems and rooms sound deeply rhythmic (able to preserve and display the rhythm of music) in others - it is why everyone will tell that their favorites sound better than anything else... I have found that bass peaks easily destroy rhythm - when I introduced bass traps rhythm improved a lot in my system.
In this aspect I am finding that it is easier to assemble systems with tubes that sound more rhythmic than solid state. As the weather is currently very hot, I am mainly playing with solid stage gear for the last two weeks. Great bass, good timbre and definition, but helas, much less rhythm than my usual tube references.
Cables also have some words to say concerning rhythm. Although not as detailed as alternatives, I have found that Transparent OPUS and Reference, or even Shunyata can help a lot in getting a have a very good feeling of rhythm in my system and room.
Do you have general gear preferences when considering rhythm?
Although most people immediately think of rock or jazz when debating rhythm, enjoyable classical music depends a
lot on rhythm. Recordings have different rhythm, and systems should portray it.
It is not easy to find what technical parameter is responsible for reproduction of the rhythm encoded in recordings in equipment - I have found that it is mostly a system matter, equipment that sounds monotonous and
rhythmical flat in some systems and rooms sound deeply rhythmic (able to preserve and display the rhythm of music) in others - it is why everyone will tell that their favorites sound better than anything else... I have found that bass peaks easily destroy rhythm - when I introduced bass traps rhythm improved a lot in my system.
In this aspect I am finding that it is easier to assemble systems with tubes that sound more rhythmic than solid state. As the weather is currently very hot, I am mainly playing with solid stage gear for the last two weeks. Great bass, good timbre and definition, but helas, much less rhythm than my usual tube references.
Cables also have some words to say concerning rhythm. Although not as detailed as alternatives, I have found that Transparent OPUS and Reference, or even Shunyata can help a lot in getting a have a very good feeling of rhythm in my system and room.
Do you have general gear preferences when considering rhythm?