[TONEPUB]

Im with diamond dog.  I'm really happy with my system.  What's really helped me, at least on the analog side is to have three turntable setups: one that is as neutral as I can make it, one that is a bit lower in resolution and a little warm/romantic/syrupy or whatever you want to call it and one that is very analytical.

That way, no matter what the pressing sounds like, I've got something that gives it it's all. The crappier pressings still sound great on the warm front end, most records sound just fine on the neutral one and the really exceptional pressings give their all on the high resolution setup.

And on digital, I may make a switch to something a little warmer, just to make a compromise.

[Mag]

I seen Blue Rodeo about 5 years ago playing at our auditorium. Not a true Rodeo fan, but the concert was outstanding, well balanced sound, unlike other concerts I've been to. They didn't play my favorite song of theirs 'Diamond Mine'.

That sound, performance has been my reference in upgrading my stereo. At the time my stereo wasn't even in the ballpark. Now when I spin their Greastest Hits album, I'm back at the concert.

[audiodave33]

I won't say I'm bitter or disgruntled, but often disappointed.  It's really very simple, now that I am older I can afford better equipment then in my teens and the equipment is much better; however I'll see a CD that I thought was awesome growing up and it is just an awful recording.  I'll think to myself the music is great, if only they took a little care in the recording, it truly would be special experience for me listening to it on my current system. 

[BrysTony]

Jabroni said, "IMO, The vast majority of recordings (way more than 95%) are much closer to beasts than they are to beauties."  I differ with that - My estimate is that only perhaps 5% of recordings are bad or unlistenable.  My goal for my system is to have a great recording sound great.  When a recording that sucks is played on such a system it will suck.  That is exactly what I want - I do not want tone controls or equalization to try to fix it.  I have about 400 LPs purchased between 1963 and 1983 and over 1000 CDs purchased since 1983.  As my system has improved the sound of my music has improved.  It all keeps a smile on my face.  I am not the least bit disturbed by a bad recording.  I know how to deal with it. 

Tony

[Jim N.]

Well, the OP has been off-line since 8/30. Rant and run?

Anyway, one problem with upgrading is that you tend to listen much more critically following one. You can tear apart virtually any recording if you want to. Some become revelatory and others make you want to run far away. Suddenly all flaws in the system are noticed along with the benefits gained by the upgrade. You're listening for sound quality and not to the music itself. Perhaps your expectations were unrealistic.

The OP is right about the simple fact that if it is not well recorded in the first place then format and mastering can do little to help it. The hardest thing to find is music that you love that is also well recorded and mastered.

You have to let the music come to you, not analyze it to death. There's some for the sweet spot, some for the car / Clip+, some for background while doing other things.

[wushuliu]

Not to be disrespectful but there something almost OCD about the OP. If once you hear the 'flaw' in a recording it automatically goes in the 'beast' category, and if >90% of music exhibits characteristics that eventually 'disconnect' you from the experience then I think it's safe to say there is a lot more at play than production quality. Yes recording quality can be bad, but not THAT BAD - we are talking about professional engineers and mixers like forum member Barry Diament who's name graces many cd's we own and LP's as well from Bob Marley to Yes, or producers like Trevor Horn who it appears was cool enough to consider Audiokinesis speakers for his studio. These are pros with varied and excellent output. So unless the OP is the late Stanley Kubrick, sorry I am not buying it. The pursuit in the mind of the OP is a bit removed from reality. It's the kind of thought process that would make someone's head explode in an art museum since they are unable to separate the flaws from the process and end result.

It would help if he gave a more exhaustive list of what he thinks passes muster and what does not; with something as subjective as audio there are issues/patterns others can catch that you wouldn't necessarily notice yourself even if you're dead certain on where you stand.

[bummrush]

5 percent for me at best,,,, 95 percent  bad you got some stuff to fix if that's the problem

[doug s.]

i think there's only a few recordings (percentage-wise) that are so bad as to be unlistenable, and it's almost always due to extreme dynamic compression.  (or the early 80's cd's that are kinda like listening to fingernails being dragged across a chalk board.)  recordings done recently - within the last 15 years or so - generally sound ok.  unless, of course, you are talking about modern pop music, where dynamic compression seems to rule the roost.  fortunately for me, this is not music i am much interested in.  while the OP hasn't mentioned his taste in music, i suspect it leans strongly in this direction.  in which case, i understand his frustration.  it will suck on an otherwise decent system.

to the OP, i have one suggestion - dbx 3bx.  (or 5bx if your budget can stand for it.)  having a preamp that has a tape loop allows for it to be switched out of the signal path when you're not wanting to use it.  the 3bx makes most compressed sources vastly more enjoyable...

doug s.

[pjg66]

Perhaps a bit late to this thread, but jeez, if a technically poor recording contains music I really love, I can enjoy it on my highest end system, or my car system, or on my el cheapo computer speakers.

Believe me, I'm not trying to sound "holier than thou" as at one time (when I was much younger) I shared OP's frustrations (back in my vinyl days I remember telling a friend that one of the greatest burdens to bear in my life was inner-groove distortion!  He had a good laugh).

But as I mellowed out in life, I learned when to care about the sound and when not to care about it.  And if caring too much about sound quality would keep me from listening to music I love, then I know exactly what choice to make.  There's some awfully wonderful music on those mono reissues of stuff recorded back in the 40's.

For some, as has been suggested, the best solution may be to avoid listening to poor recordings on your good system, but instead listen to them on a low resolution, limited bandwidth system.  For me, I have no trouble listening to them on a good system.

But admittedly, having a great recording of great music playing on a great high-end system is still mesmerizing and thrilling.