Bruno Putzeys ‘Life on the edge’

[Fidji]

Actually today’s music with DR4 will not benefit from SOTA gear. It will sound even worse on Magicos than through Airpods. So why spend on anything better than Youtube streaming Soundbar?

 

[GXAlan]

Actually today’s music with DR4 will not benefit from SOTA gear. It will sound even worse on Magicos than through Airpods. So why spend on anything better than Youtube streaming Soundbar?

The benefit of all this activity around Atmos music mixes for today’s music is improved dynamic range.

Do Immersive Audio Mixes Sound Better?

I fully understand the adjective "better" is subjective, and the question in the title requires a followup question. Better, compared to what? I use the word "better" to mean a sound that I, and likely most of us who like great sound quality, would consider better. Usually this means a recording ...

audiophilestyle.com

It sucks to be DTS, but for consumers, Atmos music is a real game changer as soundbars and Bluetooth speakers have the capability to reproduce the enhanced dynamic range compare to 90’s era automotive audio when the loudness wars began.

 

[Fidji]

The benefit of all this activity around Atmos music mixes for today’s music is improved dynamic range.

Do Immersive Audio Mixes Sound Better?

I fully understand the adjective "better" is subjective, and the question in the title requires a followup question. Better, compared to what? I use the word "better" to mean a sound that I, and likely most of us who like great sound quality, would consider better. Usually this means a recording ...

audiophilestyle.com

It sucks to be DTS, but for consumers, Atmos music is a real game changer as soundbars and Bluetooth speakers have the capability to reproduce the enhanced dynamic range compare to 90’s era automotive audio when the loudness wars began.

And it is in 99% consumed on Airpods. (atmos music)

Although need to admit, that feels good, when I smash some good Atmos stuff through my 24 ch setup to my hifi friends, and they realize, how much better it is compared to stereo. Just need Apple to go lossless on Atmos, as now we are left for accidental scraps on BluRay Audios.

 

[GXAlan]

And it is in 99% consumed on Airpods. (atmos music)

Although need to admit, that feels good, when I smash some good Atmos stuff through my 24 ch setup to my hifi friends, and they realize, how much better it is compared to stereo. Just need Apple to go lossless on Atmos, as now we are left for accidental scraps on BluRay Audios.

Agree. The Beatles Atmos mixes in BluRay (e.g. Let it Be) are wonderful.

 

[Bjorn]

Actually today’s music with DR4 will not benefit from SOTA gear. It will sound even worse on Magicos than through Airpods. So why spend on anything better than Youtube streaming Soundbar?

Nonsense. A great stereo system still sounds a lot better than an inferior. If it sounds worse, that's because the so called high-end speaker really isn't.

 

[Fidji]

Nonsense. A great stereo system still sounds a lot better than an inferior. If it sounds worse, that's because the so called high-end speaker really isn't.

Better my gear gets, less I tolerate mediocre sound. But that is just me.

I understand that some people are not able to distinguish differences between dynamically compressed remasters that are served via streaming and their original versions.

Transparent, high quality setup in makes those differences much more obvious. It just becomes unbearable, once you have enough experience with excellently recorded performances. This is why I collect original 80's CD's digital editions and put high value on sound quality in general.

 

[Bjorn]

Better my gear gets, less I tolerate mediocre sound. But that is just me.

I understand that some people are not able to distinguish differences between dynamically compressed remasters that are served via streaming and their original versions.

Transparent, high quality setup in makes those differences much more obvious. It just becomes unbearable, once you have enough experience with excellently recorded performances. This is why I collect original 80's CD's digital editions and put high value on sound quality in general.

A great system can both differiant very well between recordings but also be tolerable of flaws.

When a system doesn't tolerate poor recordings well, it's because of weaknesses in it. Almost always related to speakers and acoustics.

 

[Purité Audio]

I can’t see how a transparent system can improve poor recordings?
Keith

 

[Fidji]

A great system can both differiant very well between recordings but also be tolerable of flaws.

When a system doesn't tolerate poor recordings well, it's because of weaknesses in it. Almost always related to speakers and acoustics.

System maybe yes. Me not.

Transparency is about being transparent [in other word thrutful to the source]. I do not need instagram filters to make things looks nicer than they are.
You know, this is Hi-FI as in High Fidelity. If I would want it any other way I would buy tubes and not Purifi amps.

 

[Chr1]

I reckon that dynamically compressed remasters are the least of our worries as audiophiles personally.
Seems to me that there is just so much music that is just plain badly recorded in the first place. My 2c

 

[Bjorn]

I can’t see how a transparent system can improve poor recordings?
Keith

That's not what I meant either.
But I'm refuting the quote below and my experience is that the better the system becomes, the more tolerable it's also is of flaws in the recording. Sure, you can easily hear them but they are not that annoying and the recording can still be enjoyable.

Actually today’s music with DR4 will not benefit from SOTA gear. It will sound even worse on Magicos than through Airpods. So why spend on anything better than Youtube streaming Soundbar?

The idea that a system becomes so transparent that all poor recordings sounds like crap is wrong IMO. Quite the contrary, they are rather revealing that the system is balancing on an edge due to its own flaws. And it's the combination that makes it intolerable, not the poor recording alone.

.

 

[Fidji]

That's not what I meant either.
But I'm refuting the quote below and my experience is that the better the system becomes, the more tolerable it's also is of flaws in the recording. Sure, you can easily hear them but they are not that annoying and the recording can still be enjoyable.

The idea that a system becomes so transparent that all poor recordings sounds like crap is wrong IMO. Quite the contrary, they are rather revealing that the system is balancing on an edge due to its own flaws. And it's the combination that makes it intolerable, not the poor recording alone.

.

Ah, now I remember, you are that genius from Norway, that knows everything better.
One that shows this as his "reference". I understand now, where are you coming from - with setup like this crappy recordings sound very similar to good ones. All like crap.
[Unless this is some illustration in educational series "10 mistakes to avoid when you set up proper hi-fi" then it would fit.

 

[pma]

I can’t see how a transparent system can improve poor recordings?
Keith

I agree, it can’t. Poor recording is just a poor miserable recording and a transparent system makes all flaws and clipping more audible. It does not hide the flaws.

 

[Axo1989]

I agree, it can’t. Poor recording is just a poor miserable recording and a transparent system makes all flaws and clipping more audible. It does not hide the flaws.

It's hard to judge without knowing what material people are listening to. My selections of recent music won't be the same as yours, etc. But while I can hear things about a presentation or mix I don't like in some of that material, I can still often enjoy it more on the good loudspeaker system than on AirPods Pro (which are quite good for that device class). And much more than on laptop or iPad speakers. Good frequency response, dynamics and really in-the-room bass help of course.

 

[Axo1989]

Mid-fi ?
Keith

And no link to the original. Rude, mate, just rude.

 

[jhaider]

Agree. The Beatles Atmos mixes in BluRay (e.g. Let it Be) are wonderful.

And on Apple Music. An A-B comparison is eye opening and slays a lot of myths about lossless.

I don’t even remember the last time I turned my disk spinner on.

 

[Axo1989]

Ah, now I remember, you are that genius from Norway, that knows everything better.
One that shows this as his "reference". I understand now, where are you coming from - with setup like this crappy recordings sound very similar to good ones. All like crap.
[Unless this is some illustration in educational series "10 mistakes to avoid when you set up proper hi-fi" then it would fit.

View attachment 402028

Can you show us the context for the photo?

 

[SSS]

I agree, it can’t. Poor recording is just a poor miserable recording and a transparent system makes all flaws and clipping more audible. It does not hide the flaws.

Yes indeed. Listen your records with a electrostatic headphone then you hear instantly which are bad records. Doing it on my system via loudspeakers the differences are also readable but maybe not so much.

 

[Vacceo]

I have no idea what might rejuvenate the hi-fi industry I only appreciate Bruno’s designs.
Keith

I personally think that gaming should be where audio reproduction could get a following. It´s no suprise Marantz advertises their AVRs gaming features.

However, if you want to blame something for the decline of hi fi, blame the poor economic perspective for the younger generation.

 

[Fidji]

And on Apple Music. An A-B comparison is eye opening and slays a lot of myths about lossless.

I don’t even remember the last time I turned my disk spinner on.

FWIW - if I can get my hands on physical disc with MCH music I take it. I am meanwhile at about 250 br audio or br video discs with concerts.
Mostly classical music BR, usually also with video. Also quite often there is some bonus content on the disc, not available on Apple Music.

New Christmas Oratorio conducted by Gardiner should arrive tomorrow, will be a treat.