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Some time ago I posed two hypothetical questions: 1) How
big does a system have to be to satisfactorily present Music? 2) How big can a system get before it interferes
with the Music? These are actually two takes on a very complex question, and I
do not know the answer, but I do wonder if a locked idea of “perfect
recreation” might lead me anywhere but to Musical satisfaction. I have also
opined that a smaller system can be satisfying, and a big, powerful system is
harder to implement than a smaller system, at least this is the case where
“high demands” music listening is concerned. As “proof” of the small half of
this, I offer the documented episode where ostensibly sane, “experienced”
listeners were totally smitten with the Dunnoys. As “proof” of the big half, I
offer any bad sounding big system one might hear. I am not making light of this, rather I am more or less hoping to
somehow fall into my own aural wormhole without actually “recreating” anything “en-totale”,
but including “enough” to bring a performance across in my listening room.
Sure, I am now putting a lot of power into my listening room. But no one is
going to mistake the Music I get for a live performance, are they? Certainly
not when we’re talking symphonies. But I am listening for Musical Content, a
subject I could take off on. I am also often “mining” performances I have
heard many times. And, for all the legitimate criticisms of recordings, I have
to say, I have been able to newly appreciate my records for over 60 years, now.
I do realize this says as much about me as it does my systems or my records;
but I also include myself and my personal perceptions in the designs and
implementations of my systems over the years. For better or for worse, I really
only have to fool myself.>>
Paul S
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