BTW, I should say that 80% of the time I listen to my system "straight". I do believe that the straight-wire-with-gain is best for well recorded music. It took me 20 years in this hobby and more money than I care to admit to get to the point where I have a system with which good recordings sound great and great recordings sound freakin' amazing.
But, try as I might, not even Ken Shindo (maker of my very rich sounding and, some may say, forgiving pre and power-amp, may he RIP) could make some of my recordings sound good enough to be played at full volume. I have some rare 80s CDs that sent me out of the room screaming if played at normal (say 70-75dbs). What were they doing/smoking/drinking in the mixing and mastering booth for those sessions
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Alberto
