THE FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH ABOUT HOME MUSIC LISTENING !
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- Опубліковано 20 сер 2024
- #audio #music #hobby
Hitting hard with TRUTH. REAL Music Enjoyment is about connecting with the MUSIC. NOT Listening to the GEAR, or the FORMAT or the RECORDING, or the system TWEAK.
Follow general sensible principles and make your system fully Experiential NOT Analytical !
Whoop ! Deeeaaaadizzz... Spittin Troofs...
100% truth. "Hi end" is a rip off industry. It took me a few walks around the block to realize this, but I now laugh at most of the "reviews", "reviewers", "professionals", and the industry as a whole. Having said this, the effects of marketing are so ingrained in all of us that even after realizing the above, I sometimes have a hard time just listening to the music instead of focusing on the gear. But awareness of the BS surrounding this hobby is the first step towards "seeing the light" and hearing the music. Case in point... I just sold a solid state McIntosh integrated amp that cost me literally 3 times the amount of a Chinese tube integrated that sounds **significantly** better than the American-made piece of masturbatory audio-jewelry. It took me a while to admit this. I was just keeping the McIntosh around because it was a McIntosh. Not because it actually made me enjoy the music more, or because it sounded better. It didn't, in fact. It was just a giant, 80-pound status symbol, truth be told. Selling it has made me appreciate the cheap Chinese amp even more, and I have been enjoying music more as well ever since.
Great video Mickey, you are spot on!!! Greetings from Rapallo, Italy.
I’ve been watching your videos for a few weeks now and they speak to me. After 20 years of listening to an IPod or my car stereo I finally have the chance and the cash to finish my basement and build a rig. Getting taken in by sexy looking gear and slick advertising is a deep expensive rabbit hole making it hard to decide how to do it. But being nearly 60, time is running out to listen to my 1500 CD’s and 600 lp’s. I want to enjoy my life and spend quality time with my wife. Most of all, I want the emotional connection to the music, to take me away from the stress of work and being overly analytical. Thanks for your videos. The streaming thing is finally getting thru to me. Looking forward to more of your gear suggestions and to ripping all my CD’s and using my time wisely, deep inside the music like when I was a teenager. Thanks Mikey.
Thanks for sharing, Man !!!
Right on! Agreed 100%, technology serves the music….
Great rant! What is also intellectually interesting is how to cross the line from equipment analysis to music connection. After puzzling over it for a few months, my own formula is: streamer / transport with detail resolution, dac with holographic soundstage, preamp with smooth transients, power amp with dynamic contrast and loudspeakers with tonal realism.
Shots fired! I am this guy at times 😅😅😅
🤠🤠
I like the way you put it; holistic
Hi Sahin, thanks for your order. ;-)
Mikey is 100% true. I took my a few years of making mistakes in audio to appreciate and understand what this guy is trying to teach us. Now I have a system that brings this kind of magic and I fully enjoy the listening experience, not fixating on the gear itself.
Ok Mikey!!!!!! As a professional hi end audio designer and pro recording enginee and musician, you are 2000 percent SPOT on....kudos my friend for nailing this one for the audience. CHEERS
I love listening to Kraftwerk’s Autobahn and hearing a car come from left near to right far.
Isn't that the best ?! I love KW !!
glad to see some humor,nice rant
Nice sermon, Reverend Mikey! 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Yes Drago, you are Blessed my Son..;-)
@@OCDHIFiGuy But forgive my one transgression, Reverend: why does brass materials in the Live Vibe Audio stands/cones sound better than non-brass materials?
@@dragocelander6671 I honestly dont care.. but Ill guess. Because Brass transmits vibration better than any metal as evidenced by the use of Brass for both Cymbals and Bells, otherwise we would have aluminum cymbals and stainless steel ship bells.
Reverend, you’re truly a man of faith. But your explanation makes sense. Thank you for your divine guidance. 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Love it! I was just able to hear a Jamaican sound system. This was near a similar regular concert. One thing was clear. When anyone got near the sound system, they danced! It connected so deeply, the sound consumed you. The regular rig. No dancing! I want a rig that makes me want to move.
There's a point when you look at your gear and say - this is good enough, I can live with this for a long time. Chasing the best system is an illusion, waste of time and often you will not even see noticeable improvement with upgrading your current set-up. As Mikey said - enjoy the music!
Being an audiophile there are two kinds of systems. One is the music can sound real or the carnival trick system of deep sound stage and everything else we get involved in when we buy a stereo system.
When you can listen to a system and say: boy, that sounds like a Chicago night club then you have it. However, if you listen to a system and you can only hear that deep sound stage then you’re chasing your tail. You’ve gust thrown realism out the window for the carnival tricks.
Yes I was treated to some serious submersion with Roger Waters - In The Flesh Live "Perfect Sense 1&2." But the piece that made the biggest difference is not cheap. But it's worth it and it pulled my system together like a mom giving her kids a hug at once.🌺 🎶🍻
LOL, there it is !
Pretty solid rant, Pardner.
Does it make your Soul Sing, can you be Content/Happy lost in the Music!!! Mikey, I have gotten more "Miles out of a Cheap Pair of Speakers!!!" Escapism can be Achieved at many Financial Levels! You Nailed It Brother!
Yeah Baby !!
❤ it! Well said. Thank you for all your help Mike! (Best audio consultant I’ve worked with in 20 years)
Thanks Jason, much appreciated !
where you have to start. Some are never satisfied or do not know where they want to go . some don't even know the difference between a closed box and a transmission box. open baffle . folded baffle horn systems backoaded horns. just a few different speaker systems with the right combo in amplifier and source. do you always listen to a set or do you listen to music in which the system is good for you and no one else? I only eat jazz and classical music I like to do that with a broadband speaker with tubes. a conscious choice and certainly not the best all-round set by far. But it does what it's supposed to do for me and that's as extreme as possible for me in a certain genre. I've been playing with my set for 5 years and my mono power amplifier is over 20 years old. every 2 yrs I get them checked and they play like crazy. piece of peace in your head is a big gain. expensive is cheap and then you are basically ready
😆"squirrel food"!!!!
WOW
LOL, Email me your address, you get a Tshirt....
Excellent point of this post!😊
Glad it was helpful!
Love to see your playlist !
I left it here... Its in a vid.. search "Playlist" ... Ill try to get it posted to my bio soon.
Hi Mike you are so right. The gear is fun but it is ultimately about the music. It's easy to over analyse things. Some will over think it anyway. When I sit in front of a very expensive system at a hifi show I wonder Ide go that far if I did have the money. Happy to go back to my Luxman Accuphase and Rotel gear. Ear candy lol. Why I work in hardware diy. Hifi and music as a hifi. Like how you speak plainly. In the Matrix Mikey love it.
My living room system comprises of a stupidly mixed up set (fab horn spkrs on the front and Bose on the rear for example) and yet the connections to the music are incredible wonderful and when my granddaughter and I dance to Howlin’ Wolf that’s the zone. It’s in my heart… and I don’t care what anyone says. The cheapest Marantz processor into ARC power amp lol. IDGA…
Yes and don't limit to just tidal or qobuz either---Roon will aid you in finding that music that one might never find via solely the Tidal/Qobuz interfaces. Or put even more plainly, the what's new on the Tidal platform is a waste of time unless you want to just limit yourself to what a suit somewhere thinks you should access.
Hi Pete, what else does ROON work with but Tidal and Quobuz ?
Being in this hobby for a long long time I’m totally in agreement with you. I’m my case my beginner hi end system was one that transported me emotionally and my final two systems did the same. All the ones in between were searches for something or somethings analytical I thought I was missing. The Playback Designs purchase from you was my first foray into streaming. I am totally enamored with the exploration I can do now with old and new stuff. Good talk on the “why hifi” Mike. 🖖🏾
Thanks Ivan, This is how I know Im serving my purpose on Earth. Helping to improve peoples Music enjoyment experience !
Excellent content.
Much appreciated!
This is great. What would be very helpful is if you could do videos for different budgets with recommend gear for connecting to music as you described. For example, 1000 dollar system, 2000 dollar system, 3-4k system etc. Would help a lot of people and would be wildly popular.
Its coming. However, the starting point will be $10K for the complete rig including speakers. Anything less is out of my wheelhouse. Its Chinese mass produced widget audio mostly and Ive got no passion for that. Perhaps I will refer you someone else for the below 1K per piece mass market audio stuff...
@@OCDHIFiGuy I see what you mean. Look forward to it nevertheless. In a previous video you recommended some cheap but extremely good Magnapan speakers. Would it be possible to remind me what they were?
@@jaytorr6701 Find used MMG for $350... by FAR the best money ever spent on a pair of speakers .... nothing comes close..
@@OCDHIFiGuy Weight a minute. Magnepan needs a lot of power amp. I payed 250 for a Magnepan 0.5 but the old Ayre poweramp costed 2000.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Don't forget second hand equipment. More quality for your money.
If you want to experience the music, you MUST be mindful. If you catch your mind drifting away from the music, re-focus!
Your spot on with this subject.
THX JOE !
I like listening to the gear and get to know it but what I love more is connecting to the singer or the musicians more and that's is much harder to do!
Didn't leave much meat on the bone. Needed to be said. I agree! Love Matrix reference!
Thanks Marty ! Cheers !
I went down this road of trying out MANY things but in fact never lost any money as I predominantly bought used. The road is long, took me 10 years, but also trained my hearing abilities and I gained a lot of experience. Finally I got THERE and my system transports me to pure musical enjoyment/ „nirvana“ every time I listen to music. It goes directly to my soul and gives me joy and peace. IMO this is also an important part of this hobby and it’s NOT that I didn’t enjoy music on this way. But when you finally nailed it there is much much more to be proud of instead of simply going to a dealer who sets up a plug & play system …and journey done. This, in the longer run I think isn’t truly satisfying either…as you may start to question yourself: „how would this other cable, amp, source etc sound in my system…?“ THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO SUCCESS
I Disagree. My clients don't have time to take ten years to "buy and sell" Audio gear. They don't care to learn what's crappy after buying it. I AM THE SHORTCUT. And I Guarantee my results 100%. I respect your choice to take your own time buying and selling however. 👌
@@OCDHIFiGuy this buying & selling was in the past … and it was a journey where I thought about synergy a lot. For me this wasn’t „wasted“ time (and not even wasted money as I always did my research and „homework“ well)…. And you probably started out the same way. Probably one can „save time“ with a predetermined plug and play system bought from you and with fully trust in you…but this isn’t the same fulfilling experience…and leaves questions open. AND it leaves out an important part of the journey: you‘re not as proud flying to the top of a mountain with a helicopter as climbing up on your own with your own deep thoughts and experiences on your way. If someone is already „older“ it sure can make sense to look for a consultant to save some time and I do get it that this service of some kind is part of YOUR business. That’s fine.
@@bikemike1118 if someone feels buying and selling hifi for ten years fulfills them, then great 👍 they should do it. Personally I'd rather eat at the high rated restaurant than go to Chef school and work in the kitchen. I'll take the Helicopter up the mountain ANY day and wave to the dead bodies near the summit. I get what you're saying. You're making a case for the journey. I did this due to necessity. So much Bullshit lies in this business I did it out of self preservation and decided 20 years ago to make it my career.
It's amazing how darn satisfied i am listening to some old Polk Monitor 7c's that i was able to pick up used for $175. The guy had recapped them and put in the better tweeters etc. I have them sitting on the floor with 2 5lb dumbbells angling them up to my seated position. I sit right in the triangle sweet spot. The speakers can really disappear and sound phenomenal with excellent depth and great instrument positioning(sound field or stage). Added a sub to them. Just incredible sound.
I went down the rabbit hole for awhile. Still using Acoustic Zen Holograms as speaker cables to them. Just using Ifi Dac i picked up for $200 and a tube buffer for $50 (upgraded tubes). Mac Mini. Streaming everything (mainly Qobuz for music) sounds INCREDIBLE. I'm 63 and soooo satisfied with the sound i am getting out of these. Will swap back my Mirage Omnidirectional speakers when i want a change. Picked those up used for chump change.
I can't even believe the extremely high price on some of this gear. Ridiculous. So glad i am no longer a young fanatic and wasting money. It is not that i am not discerning either. This just sounds frickin amazing for VERY little monetary output.
I sit very close to these Polks so almost nearfield i guess? Speakers are about 6-7ft apart and i pull out my comfortable reclining patio chair and sit equal distance. Nirvana....but not listening to Nirvana....hah
Well there you go. Youve got it brother !! Screw everything else if you have your happy place !! Just so you know the people who can afford $24K for just the DAC for instance are not even CLOSE to wasting their money. People waste money on stupid trite hundred dollar things, but if you're buying a 24K DAC from me, you're most likely a business owner or retired and you got there by NOT wasting money ;-) CHEERS !
@@OCDHIFiGuy I wasted(not) money on too many Dead shows and concerts. No regrets! :)
@@RUMBLEGO1 lol the only wasted Dead shows were when they did Coke and were all aggro and bad vibe. 👎 However Smacked out Wharf Rat Jerry was killer slow jams...
OK 👍.
👍
Thank you sir. "gear fetish" sums it up
Agree. My goal is simply not to have my audio gear distract from the music.
There you go !
my most expensive piece of audio equipment is the Schiit Freya+ preamp. To go much higher is a chore for me. And at my age I doubt I will ever lay down $5000 for any piece of equipment. Very hard for someone like me to fall into the trap of constantly swapping out expensive gear for more expensive gear. Maybe that's a good thing. Knowing that I won't be constantly swapping out gear gives me the chance to appreciate what I have and more importantly, enjoy what I have. And I do enjoy it. I don't know what I would do if I was one of those guys that could afford a 50K amp and $8000 cables. I might very well fall into the trap. But, that's not gonna happen. So I do have some peace of mind knowing that. But I do drool over the very high-end gear just like everyone else. 🙂
If you could afford, it then it would not be a trap, now would it ? My best suggestion is to stick to nearfield listening or try a headphone rig. :-)
Great truth Mikey!
For me great music conquers all, it doesnt matter what Ramble On, War Pigs, Sweat Leaf, Its a Long Way to the Top is played on, a walkman, nice home stereo or in the car over the radio. Great music is gonna reach out and grab my soul.
On the other hand trying and listening to different equiptment and rigs is just another part of the whole. As in car audio, its just as much fun checking out someone elses build as it is building your own.
Its when people attach their identity to some "perceived" value of their rigs, they cross a line that devolves the music.
Thanks F.R. , If you were to sit down and listen in my rig, you would completely understand how FAR music listening can go. Singing along in the car is one level. Mainframe plug in is another. Impossible to recreate this in a car environment. But what you say is true, connection to the music transcends the rig. What Im speaking about will make you cry... Its hallucinogenic level... Dont know how else to describe it ..
There's no substitute for being at the recording or concert, but when your system can get you pretty darn close, it's glorious and mind boggling. When you can hear the snap of the drum and the tabor of the drum kit plus the hitting of the symbols while the singer is front stage and backup singers are in their space, plus the imaging and dissaperance of the speaker and ....etc it becomes emotional forsure and I'm not talking analytical because all this should be seamless and smooth or natural. A great live recording Roger Waters- In the Flesh Live is Phenomenal on an awesome setup. The intro to Perfect Sense 1&2 will put you in the audience. The intro where H.A.L. 9000 is dying will image from the left side a few feet from your ear and then behind you on a 2ch system. You'll also hear the crowd singing where that gets lost on a good set up. Rainbow -Temple of the King is a great song, but play it on another level and it's jaw dropping. Yes the lyrics are the same, but the expression can be more profound. The weight of Freya Ridings' Piano while her voice comes through flawless and seductive just by her natural performance can have one enamored.
@@OCDHIFiGuy I believe!
@@LuxAudio389 For sure !
@@freeradical431 Rock on !
Your spot on.
Rock on Ron.
BTW... Excellent lighting improvement!
LOL< Thanks Dale, was gonna call you and ask ! Thanks for the pointers !
When you are at a meal, enjoy the meal instead of just looking at the cutlery.
Yes !
I call it "The Magic". You eyes are closed and the music wraps around your head carrying you off...
Totally !
I can really relate to the message you are conveying here, got a friend that has thosen of records he has collected over a liftime. His system is mediocre at best. he's all about the music.
There you go ! We are the Music People, but I want both !! Killer rig and beautiful music !
We need more cooking with Mikey videos.
Love the fireside chats
Nice, Brother !
Aside from the HIFI addiction to equipment etc>There's a problem with music tracks > they have been distorted, crushed and turned into a flaming pile of AM tonal sound. Its the audible sin Audiphiles think they can solve by purchasing new equipment to satisfy the tonal qualities that one song lacked with one specific equipment from which another piece of equipment seems to solve> at the expense of losing another tonal quality. Its similar to trying to tone down a peaky high snare in a track by changing the amplifier> the source of the problems is of course the source> either you respect the Artists SoundScape of sounds they've created, and respect the soul of the track> or you need to actually fix the Tracks Distortion tonal problems that plague all modern music tracks. Eventually AI can be a source to correct these flaming issues in music tracks.
Dont listen to the Music like a mixing mastering engineer that looks to correct tonal issues, Enjoy it.
The mindset of I just want to enjoy the music will save you a ton of money and that can happen at any price point too.
I analyze things for work I really don't want to analyze music or movies in my free time.
You are not the first guy to tell me the same EXACT thing...
100% allways been about listening to music for me, the gear is a means to an end
For sure Tesla....
I think at a certain level you hit the point where you have to decide: are you after the truth, or something pretty close, but that will never sound bad? The former, as cool as it is to say that the resolution is so good it can highlight the smallest details, doesn't sound particularly fun as a listener. At the end of the day, you are the one stuck with the system.
Yes, correct. You see most of us that have the affliction, means we can't listen without anxiety until we have it completely figured out. But absolutely, when you find a point where you forget you're listening to an audio system and you're connected to the music, that's where you stop
Definition of a gear head… Jay @Jay’s Audio
See his latest amps investment idk…
More good recorded Music would help and it depends on your mood as well.
Mikey, does your plant need water? Love your vids brother, I agree 100%, usually do to poor speaker placement
Its overwatered. lol
Enjoy the Music (damn it) an stop analyzing the blue meters.. 😂🍾
Way to tell it……., the truth hurts, and I’m referring to a couple of guys I know that’s on this endless search for the Absolute Illusion I call it.
Because time is so valuable and I feel guilty when I have downtime or relaxing… I try to buy decent audio gear to make that time to listen worthwhile and meaningful.
Very good Point Van !! Thanks for that insight !
10 Grand for a complete rig is not bad ! Yes , let your music move you !!!
YES !
I have a DAC that is ugly, it is made in England and to me blows way everything, i have listened to MSB and dCS and the crazy brands, never connected me to the music. My amp and preamp were designed by John Curl, they are not pretty, but connect me to the music, it is amazing. They don't have the cute VU meters, or the me too tech 😂😂😂😂😂
Reflecting on being in this hobby 20 yrs- it’s been people I know personally, and the UA-camrs Mike and Real Hifi Help (Larry) that have raised this truth most prominently . It was hardly discussed a few years ago. People would say ‘tubes are best’ or ‘vinyl is best’ when what they meant was ‘music is best’.
I see it as a partly a backlash to the sterile, cold emotionless fetish for clarity and artificially exaggerated imaging the industry prizes so much now. Greetings from Melbourne (Aust) music lovers.
Rock on Cobber !!
@@OCDHIFiGuy :) Just don't say that in an Aussie accent!
you are a TRIP GUY
Mike , honestly , I do hear in all your videos I can do that.. I will get you the good stuff, bullshit that .. and so on , but you never tell how do you compare or what makes the difference between this and that... so , I do respectfully see you doing exactly the same the industry does .. advertising and promising. ok , I get that you sell but you can contribute to enlighten and purify... if not , well you just sell your expertise .. but you dont share or contribute.. it is exactly the same the industry sellers do .. but with a better ¨understanding¨ that you keep for your self .. ?? .. my two cents and without any hate really .. just a thought. ( I give you , that you depict very well what's very wrong and why in the industry and the nasty audiflia stupid wrongs and that's also sharing and caring .. )
Angel my friend. Ive got 570 some odd videos... You need to start watching my friend... It will take you a year and you will see my stupid ass tirelessly comparing shit for people who sit there and bash me. Im done comparing shit. This is a sales channel only from now on.. I dont keep it for myself. I will in the new year have level 1 through 6 audio systems for you guys to buy. All items Ive carefully picked from all the stuff on the market. I am here to sell audio systems , period... and I do it better than anyone else in the industry as far as im concerned.
My advise is alway go hifi show or retail to listen more. Explore lots of different stuffs and listen more. There is alway stuff you like and don't like, not just base on reading on the internet. Of course some twerk stuffs you have to risk your wallet.
Most people have no idea how life acoustical instruments sound. Salesmen only want your money. So don't give them your money if you have no idea how music has to sound.
@@Peter-ii4xq Most people who listen to live music doesn't care how real the hifi system can give.
I'm sure opinions vary, but for me I can connect to music over virtually any system... but true listening enjoyment on a good system is another thing. It's like saying the only thing satisfying about a meal is the food. It's also the presentation, ambiance as opposed to a pile of food on a paper plate. I'm very content listening to music on my humble system, but I do enjoy also discovering and analysing... there's noting wrong with that for me...
The word "Connect" is relative. But if your system is good enough to prevent your mind from daydreaming, and you completely lose track of time while youre listening, then youre there ! Personally, Ill take world class food on a paper plate over ambiance and presentation every day.. I would actually trade it outright. ;-) Though id like it all if its possible ! ;-)
@@OCDHIFiGuy Yes, my point is it's a little bit of everything.
Music is the moonlight in the gloomy night of life.
John Paul Friedrich Richter
LOL< LOVE IT !!!
Very few people have a clue. If you ask out there for a Dac below 5K Dollars with good wolumcontroll or buildt in analogue pre stage, they start talking about chinese stuff like Matrix Element or Topping, because they dont know any better. I stick with my T+A dac bought used for 2K dollars or 20K Norwegian kroners.
Hi Mikey. I can I ask you a question about a DIY digital device related to the projects you recommended previously?
Sure, call me.
@@OCDHIFiGuy . Thank you. Just a quick question here: I would like to make a simple computer that doesn’t go online, with a monitor for track listing and selection -basically, a flash memory player that outputs to a DAC. I want a closer system with no Wi-Fi or steaming capability. I am going to recommend this to a friend if I can figure it myself.
You need to be analytical for testing... but in the end you need to be able to leave this analytical state to a more feeling state...
And if you can't leave the analytical state, that's propably because your system is not involving.
Remember : Analytical equipment give you the feeling you get more, but they often leave the pleasure behind.
Well said !
I think a large number of audiophiles buy what they can afford at the moment. Many of us at a more mature stage of income and some experience in the hi-fi world can find the point of diminishing return and be satisfied. The experience you describe is what I have and I am not chasing the next great thing. There is a minimum investment that will give audiophiles the wow factor. For some it is 30K and others much more. Certainly $1,000,000 is ridiculous.
Yes, I agree Skip. I dont think you can get any better sounding after $200K... Its just show after that...
@@OCDHIFiGuy nice to hear some reality in the audio world. One point that will add to the total cost are old folks like me (1953 baby) that have 3 forms of listening. I realize it is redundant given today digital files available but I like the personal interaction with my collection of vinyl and CD disc. This is just a personal choice and has nothing to do with the sound I hear. All three are excellent in my system. Keep up the technical input you share. Much appreciated.
Ahem....audio is distorted AF !
While I understand the premise, particularly in the context of Mikey's ongoing mission, which most of the time I agree with and respect, the argument here is, to me, too reductive, simplifying a complicated sensorial and intellectual experience to an either/or proposition. Our ability to at once perceive, be moved, calculate, and evaluate, is more complex, unstable, and necessary than this argument allows for. The mind is restless, continually darting from one subject to the next. I am quite sure, as seriously pensive as Rodin's Thinker looks, his hummingbird mind is no doubt flitting from philosophy, to his wife, to philosophy, to his kids, to philosophy, to what to have for lunch, and his upcoming prostate exam. This doesn't mean the Thinker is frivolous or not thinking seriously. It only means the mind is not static, that it is constantly engaged in numerous acts of perception, delineation, and evaluation. In the same way, not only is it possible possible to love both the music and the gear, it is possible to listen to the music and to the gear, to be swept away by the music, then be struck by admiration for the soundstage or the tweeter's ability to render a high C; to be moved by the music's message, then be equally moved and amazed by the gear's capacity to produce the music in such a way; to be in awe of a piece of music's power and delicacy, and to be in awe of the technology that is so able to deliver by turns such delicacy and power as the particular piece of music demands. It is no different than being floored by the majesty of the aurora borealis or a titanic thunderstorm while at the same time being equally aware of and floored by the scientific principles that create such phenomena. Our ability to analyze only increases our capacity for amazement. And there's something of a contradiction in Mikey's argument. The only way to get to this supposed place of pure emotional connection, unalloyed by intellect or analysis, is through years of listening and analyzing, trial and error, tinkering and adjusting, all based on the ability of our critical, analytical capacity to distinguish, differentiate, and determine (unless, of course, you have someone like Mikey build your system for you and you are willing to take his word that it is as good as it gets; but few of us are willing to accept those terms; we like to find out for ourselves). And, after all those hours and years of being critical, and of learning to be critical in the right way, to at long last truly be able to separate the wheat from the chaff, what allows us to relax and enjoy the fruits of our critical labor is that all those criteria by which we've decided what is best are finally satisfied. It's not that we've stopped being critical, it's that our antennae no longer perceive shortcomings, irregularities, deficiencies, imbalances, etc, and we can be carried away by the music, secure in the knowledge that there's nothing to fix. And our awareness of that fact, that there are no technical issues to resolve, that our gear is producing the music we want and providing us with the experience we've craved, only adds to that overall sense of wonder and emotional engagement. The mind, the critical faculty, the analytical part of us, gets a bad rap. Yes, it is possible to succumb to being too, or solely (or soulessly) analytical, to being unable to see the forest for the trees, but the fact that some fall prey to this doesn't preclude the analytical part of our mind from having its share in our emotional or spiritual experience. I've never subscribed to the going cant that understanding diminishes wonder. I've always found that the more I understand how a thing works, the more amazed I am that it works at all. In this way, for me, the intellect, the analytical mind, is not an obstacle at all but the path to and constant companion of a more heightened emotional experience.
Ho Lee Shit.... Your Squirrel has a Turbo... My assertation of the above is your mind is your worst enemy. You have found a way to accept your squirrell in the attic as the driver of your machine. I am the guy that condenses all you said above into 5 sentences. I do not feed my squirrel any longer and my life is better for it. I have found on my journey, it matters not why the piece of gear or speaker sounds good, as there is no constant. So who cares why ? Not me. Not really any of us if we boil it down. "Why?" is squirrel food. Its shelter for neuroses. There is a scientific explanation for Aurora Borealis. There is NO Scientific explanation for what makes good sound. So its a futile pursuit and a great time waster. UNLESS you want this as a career or profession. Then one will educate oneself in order to help others understand in three sentences not three years of personal trial and error. And I AM the path to salvation.. if I cant offer this relief from your inner squirrel, then what good am I ? I have no interest in training your squirrel, I ignore it and offer simple, curt solutions with money back guarantees. Id rather spend our time talking about the artists and the music. Literary greats from History. Philosophy. Not why a tweeter can do high C..lol. Yuck... I simply find the ones that do it well and sell them.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Ha! Yeah, I do tend to go on, partly because I just like to write, but mostly because I like to be as explicit as I can and do my best to anticipate objections along the way. I prefer to elaborate rather than sum up. I think you and I share a love of music - I've been a singer all my life, growing up with traditional, blues, gospel, the moving later to opera - but we have very different notions of the value and role of the mind in both appreciation and feeling. As I said (at length), I believe the greater the understanding, the greater the appreciation and depth of feeling. One intensifies rather than precludes the other. Science can explain what makes sound. What it can't explain (though psychology tries) is what makes a particular sound or arrangement of sounds sound good to a particular person. But the fact that I can't scientifically account for why certain sounds (or natural phenomena) move me, doesn't mean I can't be curious about and amazed by the technology that can produce those sounds. My ignorance prevents me from knowing how a tweeter can produce a faultless high C, but it doesn't prevent me from both enjoying the note and being gobsmacked that it can. For me, while they don't all have equal footing in my hierarchy of interest and pleasure, philosophy, history, religion, creativity, and, yes, even how a hifi system can do what it does, are all worthy subjects, all enriching and increasing the full panoply of thoughts and feelings that makes up our lives, or at least mine. That squirrel mind you refer to is responsible for the philosophy you say you'd rather discuss. What's wrong being astonished at Pavarotti knocking out 9 high Cs in La Fille du Regiment, while at the same time being astonished that your hifi can bring you that pleasure? One enhances the other. I guess I just don't understand the disdain for the mind. That desire to know why and how is the prime mover of all philosophical and scientific and artistic discovery. And as for what good are you, like any teacher, you bring people information and they do as much with it as they choose or can. And, as with a teacher of literature or hifi, you can save people a great deal of time that some might consider wasted in trial and error. And I get that you're in the business of selling gear, and, as such, it's the ethical and right thing to do to bypass the learning curve and simply supply your customers with the best gear you can. I think all of that is great. What I object to is the reduction of complex experience into an either/or proposition: you're either in the music or you're in the mind. I think it's possible, frankly impossible not to be, in both, and that that's a good thing. I know you don't agree. I also know UA-cam is a lousy format for any extended expression of ideas, so, regardless of our not quite agreeing, I hope you know I'm not trying to be a jerk, that I'm taking what I believe to be a serious subject seriously, and I really appreciate you taking the time to read my long-winded comment and responding at all.
@@statestboxingclub58 lol, I was about to ask if you were a writer... it's clear.
Look. Give me a call. I can discuss this deeper than most but reserve succinct condensed simplification for the purpose of 10 or 20 minute videos. How you are speaking of it is far too broad and all encompassing. Surely my mind must be involved while listening or I'd simply pee in my pants or miss my appointment. I love conversations however and would actually like to speak with you real time regarding what we've started here. Four oh four seven six 4 six 2 three 3.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Will do. I can't do it today, but I'll give you a call tomorrow. Thanks again for not just dismissing my expatiations out of hand. And by the way, my car has a turbo, too, so at least I'm consistent. Late.
You only need room treatment, but on scientific basis. Some buildings have a natural acoustics built in. $10k in such building sound 10 time better than $100k in a subpar building in regard to acoustics. There is a video by a hippy 40yrs acoustics guy on YT who says so called bass traps are craps. And there is ASR's scientific proof that power conditioners "blackness" is a myth.
i strictly use music to analyze gear 😝
Sounds funny but I could show you many who do exactly that ...
Mikey, my old punk rock records seem to have harsh highs and sibilance in some of the vocals, (especially the screaming and yelling parts) and cymbals. Should I throw more money at the problem?
Super good question... Punk Rock is a GREAT Example of HORRIBLE recordings... Text me a track list and Ill try them out and reply...
My question... Do you hear sibilance in most other music?
@@OCDHIFiGuy Hey, Mikey. That was mostly just a joke comment, which I’m sure you figured out, but I guess it does have some merit to it. I love punk rock, but most of the recordings are terrible. I mostly had earlier Bad Brains in mind like Rock for Light or Black Dots. Some of their later records are actually recorded somewhat well. I love the music, and it’s been hitting me in the gut for like 35 yrs. Hope you’re well, bro.
@@NickP333 Thanks Nick, H.R. Rocks ! Ill check out those albums .... :-) Im good thx... Text me your addy and Ill get out a T shirt.. !
Whenever I audition a new component one of the requirements is it must improve the musically of not only my good recordings but the poor recording as well. It's a myth that the better your system becomes the worse your poor recording will sound.
I agree 100% !
@@OCDHIFiGuy That's completely not true.
A comment from one of Mike’s earlier videos I’ll always remember:
Music lovers use hifi to listen to music.
Audiophiles use music to analyze hifi.
Yes !
Music Lovers use Audio Gear to listen to Music.
Audiophiles use Music to listen to Audio Gear.
Dark Troofases !
That’s it!
@@bombers7878Thanks for bringing this up !
Emails finally blowing up his phone
LOL, right ?
Many times at shows I just walk on buy their rooms , the look on their faces when I tell them no thanks. Way to much BS . I use streaming to dusouver new stuff, then go and purchase it if its available.
There you go !
Connection to the music doesn't come from the ear, the brain, or the amount of money spent...it comes from the heart.
And yes Mikey, unlistenable trash-can recordings DO exist.
Give me one you can't listen to Derreck... I'll try it.
Thx !
@@OCDHIFiGuy 'When The Levee Breaks', Led Zeppelin.
I have met a number of rich middle-age guys whom to them - it is the gear ,,,,,,, they are techno nerdy guys and they love to talk about sine waves, graphs and metallurgical compositions of components - they could give a Rats arse about the music ....... heck half the camera buff wealthy older guys are more into optical formulas and test charts then taking artistically wonderful images - some of them spend thousands just to take test images of brick walls .😂
Yes, so you get it ... Thats Boring AF ..... not why the HiFi Tribe buys gear... we are the MUSIC people !! ;-)
how do I connect to a loudness war cd?
Do you want to ?
@@OCDHIFiGuy The Stones 2009 remasters are horrific.
@@mondoenterprises6710 I had several record label guys tell me STAY AWAY from remastered anything... Ill try to check them out though.. Normally Stones is a GREAT torture test for a HiFi rig.. Miss You kicks ass on my rig I know for sure...
Neurotic not psychotic 😁
What is the meaning of the word "HIFI" Any system I hear can't come close to the real live sound of anything that makes sound. All this is just market based on people's desire to listen to music. We discuss home equipment performance and realism of sound that they make, and in studios, they compress all sounds during recording. So what do we analyze or listen to at home then ??? The sound we like is HIFI for each of us. Is there a better sounding one, maybe but we do not care, we like what we like.
HiFi just means you give a shit about how your music sounds to the point you seek out the high quality playback gear. Once you get to OCD level, you only settle for listening that connects you to the art form in an engaging, emotional way. Just so happens gear that sounds like real life does that best and quickest. Behind the console you hear a monitor, compression and all. This is what you hear in a killer HiFi rig. Whatever effects were used or whatever live performance was recorded. It all means nothing if analysis is triggered.
@@OCDHIFiGuy Yes and no. You make your system as you like it to be and you reach the level of sound performance that is nice to listen to. But you know how much you go away from regular HIFI or "hi-end" Long ago I reach a similar but I did not stop there. I analyze why so many, especially speakers cant do that magic. Because Engineers and designers do not understand the nature of sound. And you got GIGO effect, doesn't meter price you pay, unless you do by yourself. And that kind is rare, You're one of them.
@@glazzarus Thank you sir... ;-)