Propeller Head Plaza Technical and scientific discussion of amps, cables and other topics.

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So we disagree about how much we agree (or disagree)?

Posted by Commuteman (A) on August 30, 2004 at 16:18:16

In Reply to: Re: Message to Commuteman from Soundminded posted by Soundmind on August 30, 2004 at 15:50:31:

OK, so now I'm going to insist on agreeing with you...

For me the statement that one cable sounds "better" than another or for that matter one amplifier or speaker sounds "better" than another raises a lot of questions and red flags. What does better mean?

That is indeed the essence of the question.

In my way of viewing music reproduction, the sound produced by audio equipment that reminds me more often on more recordings of the way those and other instruments I am familiar with sounds is the better equipment. I'm not so sure other people agree.

How could anyone disagree? In your frame of reference, the closer the sound approaches your mental (sonic) picture of reality, the more accurate the reproduction.

That seems self-evident. To state otherwise seems impossible (IMO). I hate to say it, but it appears we agree on this. There is one qualifier: you and I are using "better" and "more accurate" interchangeably, but this is not universally accepted. Steve Eddy, for example, has stated many times that (to paraphrase): accurate is accurate, but better is what you like.

However, you seem to have developed the impression that I equate "I like it more" with "it's better". I don't recall ever suggesting this. Nor have I suggested that one should pick cables based on whim, or to use them as tone controls, etc. etc. Personally, the only goal of an audio cable is the accurate reproduction of music.

What I DID say is that the measurement of accuracy ultimately occurs inside your head, so any attempt at developing absolute quality ratings must take this into account.

Peter

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