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In my years of stumbling around audio and HT-related forums, one thing I've noticed that many audiophiles seem to agree on are these things (note that this is for music, not home theater):
If 2-channel is better than multi-channel, then wouldn't mono be even better still?
Think about it. With stereo you have imaging and soundstage issues to deal with. Not to mention phase interaction, and painstakingly finding that perfect position where the speakers sound just right from the listening position, and as soon as the cat brushes against a speaker you have to start all over again. Then the sound is just right only in that spot. Lean back in your chair, turn your head, or share the sweet spot with your cuddly spouse and suddenly there goes that precise imaging that you worked so hard to attain. Then there's all those unnatural panning effects that recording engineers like to throw in.
But with mono, you have none of these issues. Any seat in the room is in the sweet spot. Speaker positioning is no longer so critical. Recline your seat, turn around with your back to the speaker, even listen in the next room and you won't lose the soundstage. All voices and instruments will appear to come from a single point in the room.
If vinyl is better than digital media, then this must be better than vinyl!
CDs were supposed to replace vinyl. Audiophiles prefer vinyl. Vinyl replaced shellac 78s, which replaced wax cylinders. So it would stand to reason that audiophiles would prefer wax cylinders over vinyl discs, right? After all, wax cylinders don't warp, and there is no change in linear velocity between the groove at the outside vs. the inside of the disc to make the last track sound worse than the first. Wax cylinders are more compact too, so they offer one of CD's advantages over LPs as well.
Tubes, schmubes! How about eliminating ALL electronics!
As great as tubes (and well designed solid-state) gear sounds, there will always be the potential for noise, distortion, hum, clipping, and electrical interference even in the finest gear. Well my ultimate audiophile component doesn't use electricity at all! No AC signal to introduce hum, no hot dangerous tubes, no finicky bias adjustments, no transistors, no need for fancy cables, grounding, or power conditioners. This audiophile component winds up, and transmits the sound mechanically from the stylus directly to the horn-loaded speaker. Thus you get the cleanest possible signal path. Also, many audiophiles seek horn-loaded equipment to get the best possible sound.
Here's the ultimate, CD and vinyl bashing top-end audiophile component!
KJP (yes, I didn't get much sleep last night) 8O
Official Computer Geek and Techno-Wiz Guru of HTGuide - Visit Tower of Power
My HT Site
- 2-channel is preferred over multi-channel
- Vinyl is preferred over CD, and even SACD/DVD-A
- Tubes are preferred over solid-state
If 2-channel is better than multi-channel, then wouldn't mono be even better still?
Think about it. With stereo you have imaging and soundstage issues to deal with. Not to mention phase interaction, and painstakingly finding that perfect position where the speakers sound just right from the listening position, and as soon as the cat brushes against a speaker you have to start all over again. Then the sound is just right only in that spot. Lean back in your chair, turn your head, or share the sweet spot with your cuddly spouse and suddenly there goes that precise imaging that you worked so hard to attain. Then there's all those unnatural panning effects that recording engineers like to throw in.
But with mono, you have none of these issues. Any seat in the room is in the sweet spot. Speaker positioning is no longer so critical. Recline your seat, turn around with your back to the speaker, even listen in the next room and you won't lose the soundstage. All voices and instruments will appear to come from a single point in the room.
If vinyl is better than digital media, then this must be better than vinyl!
CDs were supposed to replace vinyl. Audiophiles prefer vinyl. Vinyl replaced shellac 78s, which replaced wax cylinders. So it would stand to reason that audiophiles would prefer wax cylinders over vinyl discs, right? After all, wax cylinders don't warp, and there is no change in linear velocity between the groove at the outside vs. the inside of the disc to make the last track sound worse than the first. Wax cylinders are more compact too, so they offer one of CD's advantages over LPs as well.
Tubes, schmubes! How about eliminating ALL electronics!
As great as tubes (and well designed solid-state) gear sounds, there will always be the potential for noise, distortion, hum, clipping, and electrical interference even in the finest gear. Well my ultimate audiophile component doesn't use electricity at all! No AC signal to introduce hum, no hot dangerous tubes, no finicky bias adjustments, no transistors, no need for fancy cables, grounding, or power conditioners. This audiophile component winds up, and transmits the sound mechanically from the stylus directly to the horn-loaded speaker. Thus you get the cleanest possible signal path. Also, many audiophiles seek horn-loaded equipment to get the best possible sound.
Here's the ultimate, CD and vinyl bashing top-end audiophile component!
KJP (yes, I didn't get much sleep last night) 8O
Official Computer Geek and Techno-Wiz Guru of HTGuide - Visit Tower of Power
My HT Site
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