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Audio and Video Talk
General Discussion
Source Quality: When does a high end sound system become a PIA ?
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<blockquote data-quote="LIVESOUND" data-source="post: 1156098" data-attributes="member: 778"><p>Just a few days ago, Paul McGowan of PS Audio answered a similar question. He basically agreed that a revealing system would show up flaws more readily than a less revealing one, but went on to say that an excellent system produces that magic that makes everything, both good and not so good, sound better. He reasoned that top quality equipment made every recording sound its best. I would not have agreed with him a year ago, but I do so now, but on condition that the volume control is used sensibly. Everything tends to sound acceptable and enjoyable at low volume on a high performing system, but the better the recording, the better it sounds as the volume is increased.</p><p></p><p>Whats makes a recording enjoyable or unenjoyable probably varies from person to person. For me, being free of distortion, having realistic tone and good dynamics are key. Good sound staging will add to my level of enjoyment but, as in mono recordings, it is not an essential listening ingredient. Distortion in all its forms is my biggest turn off, and unfortunately it is present on both LP and CD. Contrary to some previous comments, I have found that CDs generally perform worse than LP regarding distortion and tone, provided one has a very high quality turntable. I have a few CDs that sound excellent and rips from my LPs are superb, so the digital medium is not the problem. In general, high volume sound seems better to me on LP than on CD. Perhaps a high quality, standalone DAC could change that perception. In any event, I believe that a high end system, which deals well with discernable distortion from source, will sound more pleasant than lower resolution systems that tend to exaggerate distortion and similar artifacts, especially from a less than perfect turntable. I believe that an excellent source can improve ones enjoyment of lower quality recordings rather than make them sound worse.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="LIVESOUND, post: 1156098, member: 778"] Just a few days ago, Paul McGowan of PS Audio answered a similar question. He basically agreed that a revealing system would show up flaws more readily than a less revealing one, but went on to say that an excellent system produces that magic that makes everything, both good and not so good, sound better. He reasoned that top quality equipment made every recording sound its best. I would not have agreed with him a year ago, but I do so now, but on condition that the volume control is used sensibly. Everything tends to sound acceptable and enjoyable at low volume on a high performing system, but the better the recording, the better it sounds as the volume is increased. Whats makes a recording enjoyable or unenjoyable probably varies from person to person. For me, being free of distortion, having realistic tone and good dynamics are key. Good sound staging will add to my level of enjoyment but, as in mono recordings, it is not an essential listening ingredient. Distortion in all its forms is my biggest turn off, and unfortunately it is present on both LP and CD. Contrary to some previous comments, I have found that CDs generally perform worse than LP regarding distortion and tone, provided one has a very high quality turntable. I have a few CDs that sound excellent and rips from my LPs are superb, so the digital medium is not the problem. In general, high volume sound seems better to me on LP than on CD. Perhaps a high quality, standalone DAC could change that perception. In any event, I believe that a high end system, which deals well with discernable distortion from source, will sound more pleasant than lower resolution systems that tend to exaggerate distortion and similar artifacts, especially from a less than perfect turntable. I believe that an excellent source can improve ones enjoyment of lower quality recordings rather than make them sound worse. [/QUOTE]
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Audio and Video Talk
General Discussion
Source Quality: When does a high end sound system become a PIA ?
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