Will tube preamp add?

[Blake]

100% purchase 2 subs, not just one.  Ideally, the subs will have their own built in DSP.  Subwoofers add more than just low frequency.  They also help to recreate the sense of the recording venue and improve sound staging.  It takes a little bit of work to get the placement of the subs correct, and then blended in, but once you get it right- wow!  One of the most perplexing things for me is, how so many in our hobby dismiss subs and low frequencies in general, like they don't matter.  They are totally fine with just lopping off an important part of the music, which is the polar opposite of the goal of high fidelity.

 

@motberg you make an interesting point about "dissecting" the musical information when listening and how that focus can ruin the overall emotional experience of listening to a particular song.  I am one who does not want to watch a "behind the scenes" piece about how a particular movie was made, or how a certain special effect was done as it ruins the magic of the movie.  Similarly, I absolutely will not look at DR reports on songs/albums, otherwise, all I will think about is listening for dynamic range deficiencies. 

 

Now, having said that, I know others really enjoy learning about how things were made, and that enhances their enjoyment.  So I am probably in the minority in not wanting to know how the cake was made.

 

[Blake]

6 minutes ago, bluesman said:

I want to know if there’s a difference between 30 minutes in a 325 degree oven and 45 minutes in a 275 degree oven........and if there is, am I able to taste it?  
 

I’m more than a little surprised to find audiophiles who don’t want to know if what they think they hear is there, how it got there if it is, and if it is but they don’t hear it - why not?  I can’t imagine that such knowledge and interest could interfere with the enjoyment of music.
 

Chacun à son goût.

 

 

All good, and like I said, I think I am in the minority.  To shed a little more light on my comments and my personal take on "the cake", I think background info like- it was recorded in this venue or this recording studio is interesting for me.  However, it is a question of how far into the details we get because at some point, it will become a distraction for me.  Others will certainly view things differently.  

 

 

[Blake]

3 hours ago, Summit said:

 

It’s a question about at which crossover frequency the sub should operate. The lower the crossover the less importance IMO if there is one or two subs.  It’s also a question about cost and if one great sub is better than two lesser subs. Finally but not least it’s a matter if you can properly place two subs in your listening room. In an ideal room and if the cost is no issue two is better, no doubt.   

 

IME, I'd rather have two subs or lesser quality, than just one sub of higher quality.  That is Jim Smith's view.  Jim probably has as much experience setting up systems of differing components in different rooms than anyone on the planet, so I defer to his experience.  To be clear, I am not trying to debate anything here if a member has a different experience or view, just that I defer to Jim on this subject and that has also been my experience going from two mid-lvel SVS subs, then one high quality Revel sub, then two high quality Revel subs.