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General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories.

So you won't listen to a great performance of a classical work, or a killer pop record, unless it sounds good.

Best definition of "audiophile" I've ever heard!

That Das Lied I was talking about was not recorded "ineptly." It was made in the 40s, an air-check as it happens, probably direct to 78RPM acetate. And it's in mono! The horror!

It happens to be the best the engineers could do at the time. I've played for drunken conductors. There's a difference.

"I ask myself: who is really revering music more? The person who listens to beautiful music despite it's poor recording quality? Or the person who refuses to let inept recording engineers profit at the EXPENSE of musicians and audiophiles both?"

I don't care who's "revering music more." I just want to hear the best (classical) performance, the one that moves me, not some snooze fest foisted on us by these blow-dried conductors. And once again, it's usually not "inept;" it's usually just, ah, historical recording procedures. Or merely a late-70s DG multimike travesty.

And if you think that "profit" of recording engineers is particularly high, I've got news for you!

"I don't like supporting recording companies that can't do the only thing they're supposed to KNOW how to do - which is RECORD MUSIC WELL."

I don't either. But if the performance I love comes with less than stellar sound, tough titty. I've wasted hours of my life listening to interpretations that don't move me, and some that are actually an insult to music--all in spectacular sound. No more.

"If you don't care about recording quality and only care about the music,"

Never, ever said that. Why do you respond to what I haven't written?

"then why worry about what your system, speakers and room are doing either?"

For those happy times when a great performance is coupled with a great recording. Obviously. Plus, the nicer your system the better the "crappy" ones sound, too. I've spent untold time and money and DIY effort over the last 45 years as an audiophile getting my system better, including a couple of years developing and building my own speakers, to that end.

Or don't I count as an audiophile?

"I really don't think asking for both is as limiting as you are making it out to be."

Well, of course you mean "as limiting as my interpretation of what you're saying" would make it out to be. After all these years I don't feel limited by a treasured performance having less than terrific sound. Holt's law, again. That's life. But I won't give up listening to that Das Lied, because it is an incomparable, transcendant performance. And I won't give up listening to great rock records that don't sound so good, either.

If you are in fact willing to forgo a terrific rock record or a transcendant classical performance because it doesn't sound great, well, have fun with your music and enjoy life. To each his own.

Why won't you let me do the same? Or do I have to give up calling myself an audiophile? Then is it okay?


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