JeffreyMann said:
Ken,
You wrote-: “I prefer to talk about the effect the music has on me through DMP. I’m energized, alive, on edge, and elevated. Music that I know can once againsurprise and delight. On discs that I have used to evaluate sound, in snippets, I now find myself listening to the whole thing through. And, I’m not thinking about sound, but instead, I get engaged.“
Note that I bold-highlighted the word “again”.
You seem to be implying that the DMP has some “special” quality that allows you to again become engaged with music that previously surprised and delighted you. I am curious – how did that same music previously engage you, and delight you, prior to acquiring the DMP when you were listening to that same music via audio equipment that didn’t have that “special” quality that you believe exists in the DMP?
Jeff.
Elk said:
Ken’s post raised the same question for me.
I have often had an analogous experience when new equipment allows me to hear more than previously. This can be mesmerizing. The most pronounced example occurred when I bought my first good headphone amp and headphones. The detail I could now hear was fascinating. I listened for hours. But the music itself was not more engaging; the reproduction was.
The novelty soon wears and one returns to listening to the music, rather than the equipment. I learned long ago not to chase newness.
It is akin to an addiction to horsepower. After buying my first performance car which was capable of 0-60 in less than four seconds I found myself bored with the acceleration. I tore the engine apart and installed a performance cam, headers, etc. And delighted in the new rush of faster. This too got old however. Into the engine again with head work, polishing, new pistons. Rush, followed by boredom. Rinse and repeat. Lesson learned.
On the other hand, with audio, I respond to improved timbrel accuracy/texture and microdynamics. As a classical listener, this is where the magic resides. Thus, the new DS firmwares – which continually improved both – did increase my engagement as Ken describes. But the same music on a portable player remains as delightful as before; it is just a different experience.
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Jeffrey and Elk,
My use of “again” was a simple reference. The music was no longer new to me, but the improved presentation gave the music new life. And it was exhilarating. Will it remain so going forward? Is this different from previous improvements? That’s why I used the New Orleans analogy. In comparing the PWT with the DMP, listening to individual sounds, sound stage dimensions, and other parameters, doesn’t help me get a grip on these two pieces of equipment. But listened to as a whole, the difference to me was that music was more alive, much more, through the DMP than it was with the PWT. If there is a continuum from poor reproduction to live (New Orleans), then I am now nearer to where I want to be. That makes it easier to get swept away. And that’s why I think this is an important step for me to take. I will admit that I have been having a difficult time, over the last year or so, in getting really involved in music through PWT and DSDAC. I’ve had an easier time getting drawn in through vinyl. But right away, the DMP gave me something that I needed. Is this destined to be like Elks boredom with horsepower? No. There is a difference between music reproduction, and horsepower production. There is, in fact, a rate of acceleration that I think Elk could always be thrilled with. But, he’ll need to find his way in to a top-fuel dragster to find it. New Orleans, as my example, is something that I’ve experienced, and it’s pretty much as good as I need. We’re not there yet in our listening rooms, but the progress made from PWT to DMP is very meaningful, for me. In as much as I don’t tend to get bored with vinyl, the DMP may be enough for me. At least, that is, until another big jump comes along. And I’ll try to grab that one too. But, if I get bored with this, then I’m probably lacking in the ability to just let go, and allow myself to get swept away. Time will tell. But if I don’t grab this one, then it would feel like surrender.
I have been very sorry to hear about all the problems beta testers are having with their DMPs. Because I got mine so late, I started with firmware 1.68. I haven’t had any problems playing CDs, but my next step is DSD, DVD-A, and higer resolution WAV files. I’ll let you know if that gets buggy for me. But, for now, I’m happy to be trading in a 7 year old transport in for a new one.
