Poll on Audio Philosophy

[LeeS]

I am wondering which of two camps you fall into.

[LeeS]

Some clarification:

**There is no right answer. Just two different philosophies.

The first option is for those who strive to get as close to the master tape as possible. The sort of Absolute Sound way of looking at the world.

The second option is for those who can live more with some euphonic colorations if the overall sound is good to their ears.

Obviously both options can sond very good. Again, no right or wrong answer but maybe different sides of the same coin.

What governs what drives you in selecting gear at each upgrade cycle?

[nosticker]

I'm not necessarily after a "flat" sound. Not everything sounds good on a system that is flat all the way up to 25,000 Hz, just like all flat transfers can leave something to be desired.

To risk contradicting myself, I generally avoid using any EQ unless I feel it's necessary.




Dan

[fmuakkassa]

In some multiple choice questions there is E) All of the above.
That would be my choice. There is no absolute neutrality.

Each playback system has its way of coloring the master tape and no two human ears and brains are the same.

[soundQman]

I voted for neutrality, but I would qualify that somewhat. I think it's OK if recordings are re-eq'd in some cases, if it improves the sound and corrects some poor choices that may have been made in the past and that appear on the master tape. I consider the final product for sale (that I can actually play on my system) to be the result of final artistic/musical/aesthetic choices that have been made by the team putting out the record, and accept it as such. If multiple versions exist on the market, it is up to me to decide which one I prefer (sometimes the with the help of forum members and their research and experience of course).

However, in my playback system I want as close to neutral as I can get. I wouldn't want the same euphonic colorations applied across the board to every recording I own. Also, tone controls can be useful on the rare occasion, especially if they can be switched out of the circuits for purity of signal path.

[Xico]

Neutrality - in fact, I would be satisfied with a compromise between both, but leaning towards neutrality.

[Gardo]

One minor revision: I want to hear the master tape, or the particular mastering of that tape, whichever sounds best. What I don't want is for my playback rig to color the sound of the source.

[No Static]

I can only hear what I hear, so my reference is just me. I'm not overly picky about that last ounce of neutrailty.

If it sounds good to me, well, that's what counts.

David

[shokhead]

I want to hear what the band wanted me to hear,that would be the master tape.

[phish]

i voted for "sounds good", but i don't eq my music.

[dkmonroe]

Neutrality for me. If I want to EQ it, I'll do so.

[Gardo]

I can only hear what I hear, so my reference is just me. I'm not overly picky about that last ounce of neutrailty.

If it sounds good to me, well, that's what counts.

David

But that reference is always changing, unless you think there's no way to learn to listen better, or to appreciate aspects of sound reproduction that you might have overlooked earlier. I've never really understood the "sounds good to me is all that counts" argument, since if that was all there was to it, there'd be absolutely no point in talking about relative merits of equipment or mastering at all.

[proufo]

I want to enjoy the music with no bad-sound annoyances.

I want to remain in the dark regarding bad-sound that I am not aware of.

[Frumaster]

The problem with "Sounds Good - I just want something that sounds good, even if not neutral" is that what happens when you have an incredible, natural recording? You're gonna lose it. I dont like catering to the lowest common denominator....if the recording sounds like crap, I want to hear it, get rid of it, and try to find a better one. And when I get a great mastering, I know it!

[No Static]

But that reference is always changing, unless you think there's no way to learn to listen better, or to appreciate aspects of sound reproduction that you might have overlooked earlier. I've never really understood the "sounds good to me is all that counts" argument, since if that was all there was to it, there'd be absolutely no point in talking about relative merits of equipment or mastering at all.

But...but... :)

I see what you're saying and I think I'm an educated listener. Maybe I shouda said that I would like to begin with a neutral recording, then adjust to where it sound more to my ideals. I can hear it as it was meant to be heard first, then hear it the way that's more pleasing to me.

When I made my earlier post I was specifically thinking of a pair of Avelon Diamonds an audiophile friend invited me to hear in his room. I swear, to my ears, they were the thinnest-sounding speakers I'd ever heard. That experience made me realize just how different we all hear, including artists, producers, engineers and other folks in the chain.

David

[RDK]

I want to hear what the band wanted me to hear,that would be the master tape.

But no band wants you to hear the master tape. That's just the "work-in-progress" until it gets to the distribution stage. They want you to hear the LP or CD or whatever. Sometimes the "master tape" sound is the best-sounding, but not always.

[Baba O'Riley]

Sounds Good - I just want something that sounds good, even if not neutral.

[ducatirider]

this is fundamentally flawed. very few of us actually know what the master tape sounds like. theoretically i bet half the people want neutrality but prefer koetsu becaue they think it's more neutral. in their heads they want neutrality in their wallet they buy what they like. when i walk into a showroom, i think "man that sound nice". never do i go in and think " boy is that ever neutral."

[RDK]

Best Neutrality - I want to hear the master tape as closely as possible.

You're combining two different things here: a flat LP or CD transfer of the master tape and a neutral playback system. Too often, a flat transfer doesn't produce the best sound (Steve and others use many tricks after all - if all it took was to toss up a reel and play it back flat then any of us could be mastering enginers too).

[LeeS]

very few of us actually know what the master tape sounds like.

I'm not so sure. There are many recording engineers and mastering types on the board and some that do their own recording of live events here on SH TV. Usually one can find a recording you are very familiar with and perhaps have heard a very good playback of....or one can find a recording like a Stereophile or boutique or Hoffman disc that is known for neutral sound and "breath of life".

a flat LP or CD transfer of the master tape and a neutral playback system.

In order to keep the choices limited and manageable, we assume a good mastering for the playback...it's about overall philosophy here. Think of the term "all else being equal".

[Sneaky Pete]

I also feel compelled to clarify. I am in the neutrality camp, however certain Producers, like Phil Spector were known for doing extra things to enhance the recordings post master tape. I think Phil sorted "mixed" additionally in the cutting phase. I want the product to reflect the creator's intent. I want a sound that is what the producer, and artist both approved at the time of the creation.

This may be impossible unless you use the same monitors, same tape machine, same amplification etc., in a room with the same dimensions and furnishings as the original producer. I know Steve tries to take things like original moitors into account.

[Frumaster]

this is fundamentally flawed. very few of us actually know what the master tape sounds like. theoretically i bet half the people want neutrality but prefer koetsu becaue they think it's more neutral. in their heads they want neutrality in their wallet they buy what they like.

I may not know exactly what the master tape sounds like, but I know with a fair amount of certainty what music should sound like. Is it fair to assume what sounds most realistic is closest to the master tape?

when i walk into a showroom, i think "man that sound nice". never do i go in and think " boy is that ever neutral."

Maybe you are thinking "man that sounds nice" BECAUSE its neutral.

[JLGB]

Neutral for me. I do not want my cables to have their sound (it is a defect for me) or any component by itself or have its sound with other gear..I do not want my room to have a sound either in the sense of coloration NOT dead,live cause too much either way is bad. ...Absolute Sound is a good title for sure. Utopian of course...Warmth as in real be it live or synthetic.. but with the Master Tape as the container of it... not as artificial flavoring after the fact.

[-Alan]

I prefer a neutral sound with enhancements if needed to make it even more neutral or natural-sounding.:)

[Jay F]

I want a system that allows all my recordings to sound at least listenable to. I had a 'ruthlessly revealing' system once, over which I wish I had never heard one recorded note. The memory is something you never completely lose.