Ultra Audio Destroys Music

[NOMBEDES]

 

Article by Simon Price in the last (?) 13th Note posting:   Read the full article at 13th Note (before it is gone)

 

 

Ultra Audiophile HiFi’ – a pursuit removed from music, rather than about music. This is because it’s about people who have more money than sense, where the diminishing returns are huge as you spend more. Music stripped bare, playing it through a £26k dCS Vivaldi DAC in a swanky New York prime location, or through a wind up radio in an impoverished village in Africa, is essentially the same experience. Or is this true? There is an element of truth to this sentiment and whilst those of developed nations can, are able, and would, prefer the music to be as faithfully reproduced as possible through a great HiFi, how far do you go?

Judging by the dour sullen faces of some of the everyday punters sitting around some £130k Focal Grande Utopia speakers and banks of £125k Naim Statement amps, at a show, playing the ubiquitous Diana Krall (left), Yello etc, the answer is – not this far! Adding insult, the music has all but been thrashed out to death before and it’s boring and you wonder is this really about music? What are they actually selling? But I find the ‘punters’ reaction more interesting than what’s actually coming from the HiFi or the jeans, shirt and jacket topsales guy prancing up and down gesticulating heavily – which is necessary in itself as he will need to gesticulate heavily to sell this stuff to these people or convey it being value. But back to the listeners reactions – they are mostly all thinking, I think, that, OK the music may be more real and the sound huge, but, a), how do I get all this gear in my house/flat and more importantly, b), does it allow me to enjoy music more going back to my point about music stripped bare? The answer to point b) is no. The faces are a giveaway to this. You see people get up and walk off and somebody else takes their seat. I always go home thinking my HiFi is as enjoyable at a fraction of the price.

[NOMBEDES]

After quite a bit of thought, I have come to the conclusion that I don't want live music in my living room.  I don't want "accurate sound" I don't want any veils lifted or audio buzz-word approved sound.  I just want to hear a good recording of good music.

If it sounds good to me, I am happy.  Who wants to listen to equipment when they can listen to music?  

Disclaimer:  I have no problem with expensive equipment.  If you got it spend it.....I just think after a certain point, very expensive audio, just like supercars, become an exercise in design rather than an improvement to music (or driving) enjoyment.