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Re: It's time to open our eyes and close our wallets!

"See you at the symphony where for $100 I can get a soundstage that extends 50 feet behind, above and to the side of the orchestra. My six-figure systems soundstage extends to the back wall and to the sides of my room...you do the math."


You get that symphony for a hour or two at best, then all you have is memories.

As for soundstage, the best systems can expand it to well beyond the rear and side walls - to the point that they disappear - so despite the cost and quality of your components I'm curious as to why you don't get a similar experience.

Obviously I'd agree that no system can ever compare with live because by definition one is the original and all else is hopelessly lossy (hopelossy?) reproduction, but once again I'd suggest that the best systems create a very convincing illusion of live which at it's best is able to convey the expression, emotion and experience of music.

Just this week I've been constantly playing Damien Rice's recent 'O' CD for instance, the various tracks ranging from the uplifting, the humourous, the bitter, the contrary, the hopeful - and I was taken on this ride because my system was able to resolve and differentiate between the singer's moods, every emphasised word, weary draw of breath and other subtle aural clues that draw the listener in to the performance.

In an example such as this I doubt that even the live renditions of the same tracks would elicit a similar response as the 'clues' would be missed and many artists are able to either perform to an audience OR sing to the best of their ability, not both; those that can do the two to the same standard are very rare in my experience.

Ironically it is your constant referencing of your system's sound to live sound which is causing you to 'stray' from the path of audiophilia, and the next time you're enjoying listening to tenor Sax through your system, keep the 13 year old nephew out of the house.



Best Regards,
Chris redmond.


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