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Post by robbiegong on Jan 15, 2024 12:36:25 GMT
Been in the game a long time and have to agree with a lot of what Steve says here -
Of course there are some things I'd add, and or elaborate on but overall I agree with a lot of the points he makes.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jan 15, 2024 17:44:20 GMT
Love (no I really don't) the way he defines 'MidFi' as $5-10k, and HiFi $15k, $20k etc.
I've been a MidFi guy for most of this hobby! 😂
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Post by mikeyb on Jan 15, 2024 17:48:05 GMT
Did he mention staying off HiFi Forums?  |
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Post by pete on Jan 15, 2024 19:16:23 GMT
Did he mention staying off HiFi Forums? 🤣🤣 |
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Post by gninnam on Jan 15, 2024 21:23:22 GMT
Love the way he defines 'MidFi' as $5-10k, and HiFi $15k, $20k etc.I've been a MidFi guy for most of this hobby! 😂 What a load of tosh to break it down to cost. I have heard over the years as I am sure many of you have where the good value kit has sounded better than something costing many times - it all comes down to synergy and design/build if you ask me. Just thought I'd throw that one out there  |
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Post by Arke on Jan 15, 2024 21:27:38 GMT
Love the way he defines 'MidFi' as $5-10k, and HiFi $15k, $20k etc.I've been a MidFi guy for most of this hobby! 😂 What a load of tosh to break it down to cost. I have heard over the years as I am sure many of you have where the good value kit has sounded better than something costing many times - it all comes down to synergy and design/build if you ask me. Just thought I'd throw that one out there I know, it's crazy isn't it! Made me chuckle! |
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Post by robbiegong on Jan 15, 2024 21:44:20 GMT
He's plucked figures as a very broad generalisation, it's clear he didnt give that aspect any long thought and probably didnt need to.
''
At the end of the day he makes a lot of good points as far as I'm concerned, I certainly wouldn't get hung up on the fact he expresses / lays out 'his' 'mid-fi', 'hi-fi' with cost association, that part went over my head to be honest as I was picking up on the good points he made.
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Arke
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Post by Arke on Jan 15, 2024 22:29:10 GMT
He's plucked figures as a very broad generalisation, it's clear he didnt give that aspect any long thought and probably didnt need to. '' At the end of the day he makes a lot of good points as far as I'm concerned, I certainly wouldn't get hung up on the fact he expresses / lays out 'his' 'mid-fi', 'hi-fi' with cost association, that part went over my head to be honest as I was picking up on the good points he made. Agreed, in general is was very good advice. I thought he had 1-10 in roughly the right order too. Working out what sound you'd like is certainly key. In theory, it should be 'neutral' and faithful to the recording, however, I think most prefer a presentation that deviates from this. |
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Post by robbiegong on Jan 15, 2024 23:00:15 GMT
He's plucked figures as a very broad generalisation, it's clear he didnt give that aspect any long thought and probably didnt need to. '' At the end of the day he makes a lot of good points as far as I'm concerned, I certainly wouldn't get hung up on the fact he expresses / lays out 'his' 'mid-fi', 'hi-fi' with cost association, that part went over my head to be honest as I was picking up on the good points he made. Agreed, in general is was very good advice. I thought he had 1-10 in roughly the right order too. Working out what sound you'd like is certainly key. In theory, it should be 'neutral' and faithful to the recording, however, I thonk most prefer a presentation that deviates from this. I agree Jason and in all honesty that's the straight up foundation approach I've pursued with my own set-up. It dawned on me a long time ago that a lot of people, as you say, deviate a lot from that, looking to a particular sound flavour, so for example, the sound or flavour that is signature to tube gear, or a very warm sound, a rich or or weighty signature, and it goes on. I mean Steve the renowned 'audiophile' himself seemed very thrilled with the 'on steroids' flavour of his set-up....goes to show. Many say they love hi-fidelity but in truth that's not the sound/flavour they particularly love  |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 16, 2024 6:38:33 GMT
Jason: >>Working out what sound you'd like is certainly key. In theory, it should be 'neutral' and faithful to the recording, however, I think most prefer a presentation that deviates from this.<<
Like many or most here I've heard a lot of hifi systems.
It's my observation that they all deviate from 'neutral'.
I think systems are music genre dependent.
Systems intended to replay rock, metal, electronica, EDM, classical, folk will all sound different to each other, quite substantially so in my experience.
As an example, I'm not into electronic dance music. An audio buddy who is came round with his latest acquisition, a carefully chosen amplifier.
My own system made a reasonable stab at his EDM tracks, but it took the insertion of the new amp to really make the sound stomp. It was hugely impressive and enjoyable, we both thought so. Big thumbs up from my audio buddy.
But then playing some classical, OMG. It was unbearably bright, coarse and unsubtle. No good at all.
That's probably an extreme example, but I think the principle holds for all systems.
Systems are music genre dependent.
We like to think that our systems are excellent at everything, but they really aren't.
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Post by Arke on Jan 16, 2024 11:51:26 GMT
Jason: >>Working out what sound you'd like is certainly key. In theory, it should be 'neutral' and faithful to the recording, however, I think most prefer a presentation that deviates from this.<< Like many or most here I've heard a lot of hifi systems. It's my observation that they all deviate from 'neutral'. I think systems are music genre dependent. Systems intended to replay rock, metal, electronica, EDM, classical, folk will all sound different to each other, quite substantially so in my experience. As an example, I'm not into electronic dance music. An audio buddy who is came round with his latest acquisition, a carefully chosen amplifier. My own system made a reasonable stab at his EDM tracks, but it took the insertion of the new amp to really make the sound stomp. It was hugely impressive and enjoyable, we both thought so. Big thumbs up from my audio buddy. But then playing some classical, OMG. It was unbearably bright, coarse and unsubtle. No good at all. That's probably an extreme example, but I think the principle holds for all systems. Systems are music genre dependent. We like to think that our systems are excellent at everything, but they really aren't. Perhaps I am trying to achieve the impossible Jerry...? I like electronica, folk, classical, Jazz, Rock and some Metal. It would be interesting to know what genre my system excels at, if any... I enjoy listing to classical, Jazz, Rock, Electronic and metal on the system, BUT perhaps it is just making a mediocre attempt at being a 'Jack of all trades'. I love classical on it, but perhaps for you it would be too bright, coarse and unsubtle? What sound does one need for a system that covers many 'genre bases'? |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 16, 2024 12:47:51 GMT
>>What sound does one need for a system that covers many 'genre bases'?<<
Yes, that's tricky, isn't it.
For me, I totally focus on classical when assessing components and fiddling with my system. Anything else just has to take its chances. Usually it turns out pretty decently.
I've heard quite a few systems where the owner listens to 'a bit of classical'.
It can be difficult to not to let my face show the dismay I feel!
They think it sounds great, which is all that matters.
But generally it's quite bright and thinned out in the upper bass giving a rather forward, insubstantial and grainy presentation on classical. Massed violins are the devil for showing up a bit of grain and an elevated top end
But revert to their more preferred genres, let them choose the track, and more often than not it sounds great.
One of the best 'all round' systems I've heard is Alan firebottle's, with your very fine speakers, Jason. I can happily listen to that for an extended period over multiple genres.
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Post by Arke on Jan 16, 2024 13:17:26 GMT
>>What sound does one need for a system that covers many 'genre bases'?<< Yes, that's tricky, isn't it. For me, I totally focus on classical when assessing components and fiddling with my system. Anything else just has to take its chances. Usually it turns out pretty decently. I've heard quite a few systems where the owner listens to 'a bit of classical'. It can be difficult to not to let my face show the dismay I feel! They think it sounds great, which is all that matters. But generally it's quite bright and thinned out in the upper bass giving a rather forward, insubstantial and grainy presentation on classical. Massed violins are the devil for showing up a bit of grain and an elevated top end But revert to their more preferred genres, let them choose the track, and more often than not it sounds great. One of the best 'all round' systems I've heard is Alan firebottle's, with your very fine speakers, Jason. I can happily listen to that for an extended period over multiple genres. I would listen to a lot of classical, but have only recently (with the new speakers) managed to achieve a sound I like with classical. Even with my old Ektas, the sound wasn't rich and full enough for me (perhaps a poor amp/source choice too). Classical just wasn't on my agenda as I couldn't achieve a system that could manage it to my liking. I agree completely, classical can just sound way too lightweight, forward, grainy and harsh. Massed strings just sound screechy. I feel classical is the goldilocks zone of weight (best with a full range system), richness, warmth, tone AND transparency! Many systems can do the warmth and aren't harsh, but it just sounds lacklustre and there is no insight (transparency) into the orchestra and the musicians. I have only heard Alan's system for a short period (and the speakers were new) but I do recall it being very well rounded! I'd love to get your opinion of classical on my setup one day. Although, maybe it won't float your boat! |
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Post by jandl100 on Jan 16, 2024 13:20:23 GMT
I don't disagree with any of that!
I'll drop you a line if I venture to your neck of the woods. It would be interesting to meet up.
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