General Asylum

Posted by Tom Tripp (A) on February 24, 2007 at 11:19:03

In Reply to: From an audiophile ghost..please try this trick. posted by T&T on February 23, 2007 at 17:27:07:

I traveled abroad for six months last year with only my ipod and Grado 60's to satisfy my musical cravings. This isn't quite what T&T was suggesting: He suggested going without good recordings but listening on good gear, whereas I listened on (relatively) crummy gear but kept good recordings (Apple lossless, anyway).

Near the end of my trip I was anticipating how great my main rig would sound after six months away, in part due to the contrast effect of the ipod to the main rig. Boy was I disappointed! Yeah, sure, the main rig sounded better, but not nearly as better as I hoped, nor even as good as I remembered the sound. I 'remembered' a sound quality where images floated free in 3D and the usual audiophile cliches, and they were there somewhat when I returned, but just not with the intense presence I thought they should have.

Oddly, I've been listening again to the Grado 60's, (late at night to not wake up the family), and I just can't stand them (not even out of my Melos Sha-gold preamp, which is supposed to be a good headphone amp). They are so congested, warm, dark and harsh compared to my speakers (also from the same source and preamp). I can't figure it out.

T&T, does my experience support your hypothesis?