Funniest snake oil theories

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#4,001
fas42 said:
Hmmm, can't find any references to a list of recordings that Toole 'approves, and disapproves' of. But, I like his 'Circle of Confusion' - people judge recordings by listening to speakers, systems that colour the reproduction, and judge the quality by what they hear - there is no reference ....

Actually I had this discussion with a golden eared friend if mine.
He was complaining at a coffee shop featuring live unamplified music that the voices had sibilance, and the piano and strings sounded bright compared to his home reference system.
The guy looked at me like I am an alien when I laughed and said live music isn't bright -
Live music IS the reference.
I've heard his very expensive setup,Welborne monoblocks crossed over through a sub which is then turned way down, MSB Platinum DAC , passive transformer attenuator somehow has everything after 5000 hertz rolled off fast...Reference 3A's, customized, MIT Oracle cabling...
He may own Vancouver's😱:joker: most expensive AM radio playback system.
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#4,002
MITsound said:
Sometimes a person can reach a point where they seek out some distortions.
I went back to tubes because much of my favourite music is poorly recorded and could use a little softening.
Also, as a byproduct of using hearing protection at work and public transit, I can still hear 20,000 hz, albeit down 5db. On most tweeters I don't like it and roll it off a little further .
I cannot abide distortions around 4 kilohertz either; therefore the speakers I make for my own use are liberally dipped around there.
I'm old enough now to feel unashamed to say ,Hi, I'm Mitchell, and sometimes I enjoy coloured sound.
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i was surprised when checked few sony-panasonic "home hifi systems"
some, even were 3 way, but there was no action above 15khz. sound was not bad in person
 
#4,004
peteleoni said:
Of course we wont find his list.
Mine, a very few
Diana Krall, live in paris. All of them really
Dave Matthews, any CLA mixed.
Norah Jones, Come Away.
All of the Donald Fagen stuff and this has the eztremes of the spectra, but Its all within range +-
Zac Brown. (The iast two)
Any of the Joe Lavano on Blue Note.
Early Dr. Dre stuff.
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Just out of curiosity: Is that your approved or disapproved list?
 
#4,005
fas42 said:
Okay ... step 1: how do you know the recording is "crap" - because there is a sticker on it saying so, or because all your audio mates say so, or ...? If it's because every time you hear it if never sounds good, how do you do know that the fault is in the recording, versus the playback systems?
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By using a neutral system that doesn't colour the sound...and taking care of the speaker room interface.
And always remember your brain is playing games with you, as the glowing revues of the Bybee's show...
 
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#4,008
Don't confuse the issue with facts...

peteleoni said:
@Frank.
If your speakers have enough dynamic range they can be eqed into submission with the tools we have now. Or you could plug in a Bybee and hear what it sounds like in a quantum universe where you have big horn speakers, that apparently works for some of us.
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But it couldn't really work.
In a quantum universe setting, the mere act of an observer hearing it would irrevocably alter the original signal.
To By, or not to bee; that is a question.:joker:
 
#4,010
Speaker to room

marce said:
By using a neutral system that doesn't colour the sound...and taking care of the speaker room interface.
And always remember your brain is playing games with you, as the glowing revues of the Bybee's show...
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Do bass/treble/loudness contour controls really add much distortion to the playback chain? Aren't speakers always the biggest source of distortion in a system?(excluding the room!)
Without a standard of room dimensions, treatments, and speaker parameters to go with, isn't un eq'd accurate playback a shot in the dark?
How do all the integrated amp or pre amp manufacturers know what your speakers will sound like in your room after their amps?
And how do they know a little bass or treble controls wouldn't help better match playback to a room, or a loudness circuit help suit different listening levels?
Are they just saving a very few bucks on some pots and software....
 
#4,011
I am stepping over to the quantum universe and slapping the hell out of myself. I either have to do once or forever which ever comes first.
And no.... I am not requoting that one its miiiiiiiiiiiiine all miiiiiiinnne. Hey! I think that should be the sig huh?
 
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#4,013
MITsound said:
Do bass/treble/loudness contour controls really add much distortion to the playback chain? Aren't speakers always the biggest source of distortion in a system?(excluding the room!)
Without a standard of room dimensions, treatments, and speaker parameters to go with, isn't un eq'd accurate playback a shot in the dark?
How do all the integrated amp or pre amp manufacturers know what your speakers will sound like in your room after their amps?
And how do they know a little bass or treble controls wouldn't help better match playback to a room, or a loudness circuit help suit different listening levels?
Are they just saving a very few bucks on some pots and software....
Click to expand...

UK rooms in normal houses are the worse, usually nearly square, low ceiling with a fireplace and often these days the open plan stairs...when we moved to a better house! from an older property sound quality diminished, without equalisation it can sound painful and room treatment was considered, but the being from another planet who must be obeyed without question said no rather colourfully to that.....
 
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