The one big thing i learnt after 5 years reviewing

[@FrostiTheRoadman]

1000% agree listen to the music don’t sit there listening to and analysing the equipment.

[@Velvet_Torpedo]

Completely agree. Reminds me of people so busy taking photos of what they're doing and posting it to Social Media that they miss the actual experience.

[@stereoreviewx]

totally K

[@uccelino]

Great video! Kind of wrapped up the essence of our great passion. Thanks for a year full of thoughts on what great audio should be.

[@stevezeidman7224]

I usually read when I play music. Many times my head would jerk up and I’d be mesmerized. Those are my moments.

[@JG-gg9wk]

I can agree with this. I don't get or rather I've never cared about charts and graphs. MY EARS tell me all I need to know. I know what I feel.

[@davidsharp3675]

Thanks to your reviews ive found a Marantz 2216b receiver and Mordaunt Short MS400s. Perfect for me. Ive had expensive stuff in the past but my current system puts a smile on everyone's face. Thats never happened before

[@joaohenriquegrossisadjunio9039]

This reminds me of a friend who used to say, when showing me some song he loved: "feel it, don't just listen to it".

[@tomoxfford]

My problem is crappy recordings. Every now & then I’ll hear something I don’t like (harsh top end or anaemic something) and I’ll instantly go from chillin to vibes to obsessing over equipment or cursing the producer. Usually I think it’s my gear’s fault and eventually realise it isn’t, but one thing I’m sure about… at any cost there ain’t no damn solution. Keep doing what you do ✌️

[@davidbemrose]

Yes. i agree. All comes down how well a record cd ect was recorded and produced in the studio.

[@Douglas_Blake]

Simple rule ... If one song, or album sounds like crap... it's the recording. If all of your songs and albums sound like crap... it might be your system. Sadly, most of the modern popular music produced since about 1995 is going to sound like crap, thanks to the loudness war, autotune, quantization, compression, limiting, maximization and equalization. In the end you are not listening to what the musicians actually played, you are listening to what the mastering engineer thought it should sound like. Of course this has lead to my oft stated opinion that most sound engineers are better suited to driving trains.

[@tomoxfford]

@ It’s more nuanced than that. Poor recordings sound much better on poor equipment which is obviously why there’s little incentive to do it better. The whistling intro to Goldfrapp’s Lovely Head for example is good enough to enjoy on a cheap Bluetooth speaker but crank it up on anything decent and the screeching sibilance will destroy that track forever. If you like that track the Live from Air Studios version is much better than the others I could find. ✌️

[@bad_metaphor]

As a retired drummer, I'm always listening critically so the analytical part of my brain is never off. When the presentation passes a certain quality threshold (good detail and separation), I can relax into the music.

[@frankgarcia9834]

Me too 🎉

[@stereoreviewx]

fair point i dabble in the drums .if the snare sounds right i can relax

[@TheMamosians]

Dude, wow. I think being mindful is the word I’d describe, almost into a meditative state with good music and good sound. Totally amazing you did a video about this :)

[@davidsharp3675]

Great review. I agree 100%. Trust the gut response and does the foot start tapping. I always think of the system as an instrument in itsrlf rather than trying to find a studio monitor

[@shingnosis]

100% spot on. If anyone starting a "hi-fi journey" needs to hear anything it's probably this. I doubt many new people will understand it but maybe five to ten years down the road they'll recall it and the penny will drop.

[@stevemumford6983]

I suppose on the cusp of reaching my 70th birthday i have found myself in a content situation. I am lucky enough to have a music listening section in my living room. Two stereo set ups a vintage Sansui hi fi stack and a 25 year old Bang and Olufsen system plus a cd playing Wurlitzer jukebox that sound completely different but I am perfectly content listening to any of them. You sum up perfectly what your listening experience should be.

[@eazydraw4681]

Brilliant, obvious and truthful at once, Kelvin you are no doubt one of the best reviewers there is .. wishing you and yours a very happy new year

[@unstuckalex7463]

Sitting in the dark listening to a record feeling my solar plexus relax. Great thumbnail by the way.

[@TonyJBrennan]

best experience for me is being in the sweet spot with a few friends , the bass and lows envelope you , the snares and guitars and hats tickle your skin and ears , the stereo ear candy moves through you - and you feel the music as if you are in the studio speakers . you need high sensitivity low volume transient speakers with detail for this , paper cone woofers and mids.

[@barlow2976]

I call myself a music lover. I've spent a bit over £1K on vintage stuff from eBay, and two years on it still fills me with joy. I've only felt it necessary to add a bargain Chord Mojo to my 'system'. One day I hope to come across some nice big floor speakers so I can take full advantage of my no neighbours situation, but I'm patient. I really pity audiophiles, it just doesn't seem to be about the music, it's mostly wanting, boasting- all the bad things. What makes it totally absurd is its subjectiveness.

[@stereoreviewx]

Agree I’m jealous of you with a new neighbour situation. You can find some nice big speakers. I could tell you they’re one of the best bargains so you have to go and collect them.

[@drlimbo]

Enlightened by the sound :) absolutely agree.

[@chico1287]

Great topic Kelvin. I own lots of audio equipment, some costing low thousands, but I always come back to enjoy music being played through a Denon mini dm39 and an old 90's pair of vintage mission speakers using some decent cables..At sensible volume levels to me this system beats anything costing 10x more for musical enjoyment.

[@AlexMitchell-i1g]

I have some Mission 760, nice speakers even now. Could do with a recap my ones but can't find the rating for the capacitors anywhere.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

​@@AlexMitchell-i1gjust get replacement crossovers!

[@geminijinxies7258]

I agree. And it's usually digital music in combination with modern extremely revealing components and speakers that's guilty of making people analyze instead of enjoying the music.

[@jonboy9912]

When I listen to a new album for the first time I don't really listen to the music, I am caught up in the noise, concerned it plays well or needs cleaning. Its only on the second and subsequent occasions that I play it that I actually hear the music and fully enjoy the sound.

[@Gez492]

Strange that I was just thinking the same thing after listening to Talk Talk The Colour Of Spring Vinyl on my totally British System comprising LP12 heavily modded and upgraded, EAR912 pre amp, totally rebuilt and upgraded Lumley Reference ST70 Tube Power Amp and Proac Carbon Pro 6 Speakers. I often do have my analytic hat on but realised I was completely absorbed by the music and didn't think about the gear for one moment. It actually left me feeling Euphoric and almost high as it doesn't happen that often. I had to go make a cuppa and come back to it. It was then I noticed you had posted a video and you were speaking about precisely what I had just experienced. How weird I thought. Your point is well made though. Cheers Mate

[@ThierryMennechet-s7b]

J'aime beaucoup le lumley st70 associé à seven premier et Genesis VI et une triangle two et un vinyle bien enregistré...😊

[@ridetonight33]

Best explanaiton about how should a really good system sound like that I ever heard! Never thought about this, but it is spot on! Comparing this to my listening experiences it totally resonates with me. I think this video will influence me how I listen to new equipment.

[@Douglas_Blake]

Just relax and let it happen. You can think about how much you enjoyed it later.

[@Iamloveingawareness]

Beautiful Kelvin, you nail the emotional experience with your 'in the moment' Zen metaphor ♥ There should be no 'listen', only 'hear'.

[@nudebaboon4874]

That Meridian preamp+two 100 power amps, together with Mission 770 speakers were BRILLIANT! Cheers Gerry, the owner of said hifi.👌👍.

[@zipadudaharmagedek9449]

Great point of view Kevin. Tks

[@kevinyoungM14EBR]

Yes! I prefer my music to be a background soundtrack to whatever I happen to be doing at the time. The only time I sit and listen analytically is when I am confirming everything is working properly, once that's done I just let the music play.

[@AlexMitchell-i1g]

I guess that sometimes why a cheap stereo can bring satisfying results. It is not "hi-fi" but it is still enjoyable.

[@D1N02]

It is for me at what chakra I am feeling the music. It has to be near the heart chakra and not to high up at the troath chakra, because then I am missing a connection. It has to do with the presence of bass and lower midrange that encapsulates the higher frequencies like a warm ocean and some of them float just above the surface. If they float too high and they lose connection with the source and become just pretty tones but nothing captivating. A good system will strike a balance where detail will be just enough to be in unison with a carrying force. You are aware of both.

[@alanwilkinson4080]

Thanks for the thought-provoking video. I was privileged to own that Meridian preamp with Meridian active speakers in the 1980s. I have never since surpassed that system and was a fool to sell it. I have also recently rediscovered the joy of CDs courtesy of using a dac with my CD players. No doubt everybody else has realised this, but I used the dacs for my laptop and streaming. However, I now hear the previously missing soul when I hook my CDs to the amplifier.

[@Douglas_Blake]

A lot of self-designated "audiophiles" are actually incapable of simply enjoying the music. The slightest little thing will set them off into analytical thinking and from there, the music disappears as they focus their attention on the system. Unfortunately this situation exists because of the efforts of predatory companies who spend their time convincing people their systems are somehow inadequate and will only work correctly with the company's massively overpriced doodads. Soon enough that sense of inadequacy triggers an endless quest for better... it literally becomes an obsession. At that point all hope of simply enjoying music is gone.

[@gordthor5351]

@Douglas_Blake I not really big on titles and I don't call myself an audiophile, because if that word ever had a concise meaning, it certainly doesn't now. Some people are perfectionists, thus will always be looking to improve things. I don't think those people are the ones getting sucked in by the "predatory companies". Perfectionist personality types tend to have a high regard for science, which is necessary for them to find better ways (closer to perfection). These are the realist personality types that know perfection is an illusion, but they will strive for the most practical best (within the budget reasonable to them). Considering that many "audiophiles" are suckers for the scams (expensive cables for one), I don't want to put myself is such a delusional and irrational group. I think all people have a certain level of what they need to enjoy music, with the exception of what you mentioned about the people seeking an endless quest for better. These people are very susceptible to the placebo effect and the predatory companies know it. In my experience there isn't much different in sound quality unless you jump the shark and go high end. I'm quite frugal and don't want to spend more than I have to, but I did spent a small fortune (even on used gear) on my system so I can enjoy music, without analyzing. If people are happy with their system, why spend anymore? It seems that this modern era has very sneaky tactics to get people to believe that they must beat the Jones'. Not only in audio either.

[@Douglas_Blake]

@@gordthor5351 Just the other day I was introduced to some new people as an Audiophile to which I responded: _"I see no reason to be insulting."_ There is a good reason very few technicians and engineers are also audiophiles. We carry the technical insight to know when we're being toyed with. Of course this needn't be excusive to our tiny sub-group. Anyone can do a little studying and learn some basic electronics and maybe read up a bit on psychoacoustics... if they want to. Many don't. PT Barnum was right when he said: "There's a sucker born every minute." There is a positively huge body of "science" that exists only in the audio community... and it's not because we are smarter. Much of what passes for science with audiophiles is pure high grade snake oil that can't be confirmed by any source outside the group. This whole thing about cables, for example, is considered plain laughable by most technically skilled people outside the audio community. Those predatory high end accessories people have done a real number on our love of good music and good music reproduction. They actually have people second guessing the designers and engineers who created the objects of their fascination. You can tell they've read their market perfectly when you realize that almost none of their fancy bits and pieces require tools for installation. My current system isn't "high end" nor would I want it to be. What I have is a $1600 setup that I will stack up against one with an extra zero almost any time. The outstanding difference is that I set this up, tinker a bit from time to time, but mostly I use my system to listen to music and movies without analysing anything... I just start up a playlist, sit back with a nice mug of hot chocolate and let it happen. If I'm going to criticize anything it's going to be the music.

[@papabear1417]

You got it. The feeling the reproduction of the music vibing and Resonating with your soul.

[@peterrichardson9248]

The Luxman 509Z to me is simply the “just enjoy the music amp”. The tonality is just so perfect fits everything you describe. This was after 50+ years of searching for the perfect sound. I nearly forgot the Focal Diablo Utopia speakers. Exceptional.

[@simonzinc-trumpetharris852]

But that amp costs 10 grand.

[@Nesha_ins]

Good advice! Sound larger than life makes you feel, not think. I agree 100%!

[@RogerBergqvist]

This applies to me when I listen: Too much detail ruins the music. I want to hear just enough of all the instruments. I don't like a sound that is too analytical. There are probably those who want to count violins in an ensemble too... It's not for me. Happy New Year (soon)!

[@BehindthesafetyofLinux]

Feeling the music is impact. Once you involve the sense of touch, your analytical brain turns off immediately. Most people don't have large enough systems to feel the impact. This is why the old systems with larger drivers were so nice. They were not high resolving, but they could fill a room and over power the acoustics of that room. I always described it as being inside the sound, instead of the sound being projected at you.

[@JoãoMontes-Palma]

Love your T-shirt, man 🇵🇹

[@nigelgauntlett582]

Had one of those moments today ! Acquired a pair of Snell type J’s ( Audionote’s version is the ANK-J’s) . Not audiophile but extremely well balanced and musical! Wow! These are great sounding vintage speakers and they are not analytical in the least ! It really sleighs a lot of $2K modern speaker !

[@davidhanna88]

I like the reminder about the body responding.

[@oakie007]

Im 55 and as i get older I value, organic , analogue sounding equipment, I also find older recorded music, especially 70s rock music dounds so good, like honey oozing over my eardrums

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

Agree absolutely. The analytical brain can be the enemy of musical enjoyment. It is what makes it so hard to judge equipment on demo at a dealers. The analytical brain says 'wow, I am hearing all these wonderful things' so you buy it, take it home, and find you can't listen to it for more than 30 minutes without starting to think more about the kit than the music. Home demo essential, unless you are buying really cheap stuff you can afford to store away or resell. Looking forward to lots more videos in 2025, thank you Kelvin and Happy New Year.

[@stereoreviewx]

Thanks, my friend and a happy New Year to you

[@bazassaminoteii8225]

For me, if I can hear the sound of the instrument over how the musicians are playing the instrument then the magic stops. It doesn't mean it's not detail. But rather you feel like your deeply involved eavesdropping conversations between the musicians.

[@josephfuller7008]

This is really good. It can’t be described any better! Listening to music is supposed to be enjoyable. There’s a saying out there “If it sounds good and measures bad you’re measuring the wrong thing”😂! Thanks Kelvin!

[@stereoreviewx]

like it

[@deanokay666]

100% agree - I have a nice HiFi system which I enjoy listening to, but my "lost in music" moments are when I'm in the car or kitchen.

[@timschutte3961]

My most enjoyment i have are with my system if turned up properly... and headphones off course.

[@TonyCottrell-iv2qv]

Remind me not to to ask you for a lift!!

[@deanokay666]

@@TonyCottrell-iv2qv i drive a very nice two seater, so I doubt you’d be first in the queue, anyway!

[@stereoreviewx]

yeah i agree the car its so dynamic in there

[@bananabrooks3836]

'Founder companies' a salient point.

[@s_r_v]

I think this maybe the best video you've ever made 👍🏻 and I obviously agree with you 😂, I've found as soon as I hear something not quite right then it puts off, I've got a cheapo marshall Bluetooth speaker that I think sounds just great but I've tried other Bluetooth speakers same sort of size and cost that just sound awful to me, so a small Bluetooth speaker is deffo not hifi but even so as long as the kit doesn't get in the way of the listening experience that's the main thing for me...

[@derekashenden9789]

I agree to analyse to much there is the danger of justnot actually listening to the music.. I am not good at analysing why it don’t sound comfortable when listening, so I fiddle. Recently I knew the sound was not good almost a bit distorted at higher volume so increased the volume on my streamer ( Cambridge Azure 851N) that can act as a pre amp and reduced the volume on my integrated amp (Cambridge cxaA60) and this improved immensely.. Now I just listen.😊

[@Feelingawesome0]

This is probably the best advice any reviewer has ever given You can have all the detail soundstaging etc etc. But if it doesnt present the music in a way that makes you feel something then unless you only wwnt to analyze then there isnt much point. One reason the old receivers are still so reverred.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes

[@phatjbl]

A very good video. Couldn't agree more. As we hear more and more sound systems hifi even pa when out n about we get to instinctively know whether we are liking what we hear or not. It's very interesting how much people's taste can vary. Some like something soothing and kind of laid back and others like me like a clean but not harsh sound with plenty of resolution and quick bass. I like powerful amps with plenty of headroom even with efficient speakers. When I really want my analysis is when I'm at Audio shows or someone asks for my opinion on what something sounds like.....others with similar tastes that is. I trust their taste as they trust mine if that makes sense. Hifi needn't cost huge money.

[@gordthor5351]

Kelvin, I couldn't agree more. Music is all about emotions, but our analytical brain will get in the way if things annoy us. I think everyone has their own level of what they need to enjoy music, instead of analyzing. I'm one of the unlucky fusspots with a innately analytical brain, that wants to analyze everything. I want it to STFU when I listen to music, but it's not something we can control if things stick out that annoy us. I think most people focus more on the lyrics and can be very happy listening to a Bluetooth speaker (non audiophiles). For me it's all about the whole ensemble. When everything comes together creating a natural cohesive whole (band in your room where every sound has it's own place in the air). That is where my analytical brain turns off, allowing my emotions to take front stage and I can just lay back and enjoy the music. Happy New Year, Kelvin.

[@stereoreviewx]

Thanks have a great year K

[@scottfraser1758]

Well said, my criteria for a system that I'm happy with is that the piece of music playing makes me feel involved and not on the outside looking in.

[@stereoreviewx]

nice description

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

This is great insight!

[@oliverbeard7912]

I have had the tendency in the past to analyse. I still do if i allow myself to "think" about how what i'm listening to sounds.Part of the problem stems from expectation, where the more you invest in the system the more you expect from the performance and become picky.Low level generators of replay don't carry the weight of expectation,so the analytical part isn't active.With higher end gear,my answer to that is a less obvious sound,which focuses more on the music by not being overt in it's intrusive character.

[@damianzaninovich4900]

My 2014 Chevy pickup with 327,000 miles has this kind of sound. Bose engineers designed it perfectly with cd play back. Why I don’t want to change vehicles. I’ve had Lexus Landcruisers with sound by Mark Levinson. Unlistenable. Same with Mercedes top of the line SUV’s. My kid’s 2011 Range Rover Sport(Brits) has good sound though.

[@bertiebassat5545]

Brilliant, you nailed it!

[@thisisnev]

It's the same with studio headphones, Kelvin! My Beyerdynamic DT880s give me all the detail I could ask for, but they just don't get my feet tapping like a pair of ancient Trio KH-71s.

[@TheOffertonhatter]

Great video. I would say Analyse, but only to a point, When your feet start tapping and the sound is what you love, then you have reached what you want and nothing else matters.

[@sosonic12000]

What’s your opinion on the Sansui 9090db receiver? Im selling a lot of equipment and want to get what I believe could be the holy grail of Sansui Royalty ?!#% 🤔… I’m crossing the little pond - off to USA to bag one and cuddle it on the plane all the way back to the UK baby 👍❤️

[@stereoreviewx]

well it is heghly sought after i havent heard myself it had to be good truth is noones donr serious comparisons . 881 s still monster sound at 60 watts . worth knowing the more power it seems the more degredation over time

[@mrpmj00]

Goosebumps validates that I've put together the system correctly. source=Apple Music lossless quality

[@stereoreviewx]

agree

[@zenfishbike]

I do a mix of both actually. The presentation first has to be good enough to draw me in emotionally. If it can do that then it's plenty good to listen to analytically. I switch back and forth depending on how I'm feeling, the particular song, and the quality of the recording.

[@Lovelacewatkins139]

Great words , ps my lava lamp blew up first time I plugged it in , BOOM , mathos vynil edition

[@PlaybackMansion]

Right on! Call it your gut, emotion or intuition or whatever but it's the only thing that matters. It has nothing to do with charts and lists

[@robertyoung1777]

I agree. Music, for me, is an escapist experience from the cares of everyday life. The arts in general, are expressions of human emotion. On the other hand, technology is generally about hoovering up money and/or distracting humans from having origin thoughts and emotions. A person doesn’t need technology to sing a song. Painting and drawing require very little technology.

[@stevendog510]

100% true. "In the land of the blind the one eyed man is king! You are now royalty. Cheers

[@charlesslack8090]

The title of this video turned on my analytical brain. 😮😮😮 Analyze this, LEARNED. not Learnt ! 😢😢😢 Your title got exactly what you didn't want to happen, with me at least. Don't worry, I can't spell either, but at 70 years of age I am aware of it and just chuckle when I see others do it as well. 😊😊😊😊😊 My sound system is old 1970's and 1980's gear that IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! I know people who have spent over $2,000.00 just for a turntable, and much more for the cartridge. And tonearms costing more than some cars. Why spend that kind of money when you do not have the ABSOLUTELY PERFECT and DEVINE LP to play on it. Those people are sick! 😂😂😂 I received a CD for Christmas, made from an Origional Master Recording, of " CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY ". It has been remastered and cleaned of what made me wear out my origional album back in 1969. It sounded fake to me, it was too quiet! I missed the sound of the needle riding the grooves, the pops of the static electricity, the occasional skip when someone walked on the loose board that ran under the stereo rack. Living and listening to music in 1969 was noisy, from the track on the origional tapes, pressed into thin and imperfect vinyl disks, spun on a somewhat expensive turntable by a possibility under the influence disk jockey like Dr Johnny Fever, as it's being transmitted over air into your smoke filled car, with everyone singing along! We all learned to enjoy music differently. I like it as they intended it to be, noisy. IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME! 😊😊😊😊😊

[@stereoreviewx]

i donted go to school proper 😃

[@cosbro5389]

I held back on adding a subwoofer..I gave in 2 days ago and $800 aud later , I am content from low to high listening ... no need for bigger amps,speakers,room positioning, the list goes on..the correct low end is where it's at

[@stereoreviewx]

yes great low end is rare and can be game changer

[@moviespizzaand]

Audio wisdom. Thank you.

[@madcrabber1113]

The number one thing I want to know is where is something made and what parts are used to make it?

[@stereoreviewx]

yes important

[@Cartier_specialist]

Well put. 👍

[@sidesup8286]

When absolutely everything is right about the sound, once you get to a certain level, everything takes a turn for the better. Recordings that you just knew were bad recordings, so many of them begin to make you realize that it was your system adding distortion and glare. Subtract distortion and glare "anywhere" and there is less distortion and glare "everywhere". Your ears begin to trust the system and relax, and revel in the beauty of the music. You can forget about half expecting ear wince at any moment. You know there won't be any of that anymore, except maybe on a few recordings out of a hundred. You can focus your full attention on the music. Lesser equipment makes us analyze and wish for better recordings. Peaks and brashness are too frequent not to. Charts and graphs and numbers can be forgotten about once you are at a certain lofty level. Not that I ever worried about specs. There is a new psychological malady which has risen among some people. It is"Measuring Device Worship." Its parishoners pretend to know everything about physics and sound; when our greatest scientists don't. What a measuring device says; to them that is "Bible". Even though if you move the microphone a few inchers when measuring, you get a totally different reading and result. Can THESE PEOPLE actually enjoy music? Animals like pigs and Meerkats, and Muskrats and even some reptiles have ear/brain systems that are much much closer to the human ear/brain system than electronic measuring devices. And it is not just the "receiving" of sound; it is the "translation" of sound by our ear brain system that make things sound the way they do to us. Change just one thing in our brain associated with sound translation and the sounds are not the same These know it alls people forget about that. Actually they forget about a LOT of things. Which is why their so called perfect "theories" are anything but perfect, and are actually a laugh; with more holes in their theories than Swiss cheese. Being religous to measuring devices, graphs and charts, they are real religous crusaders, continually trying to convince us that the real differences and improvements we hear with our better equipment is just a "Grand Placebo effect." Audio has spawned many a thing, but this might be the oddest. Mabye even odder than people spending 6 figures for a stereo. I enjoy your videos and we look forward to more in the next year. Happy New Year!

[@stereoreviewx]

Happy new year to you .I am now wondering if there should actually be two catagories for hi fi people ?

[@tnarch]

you nailed it again! thx!!

[@elgringoec]

I didn't understand the mindset that would say that because for me, getting "all analytical" and "listening for things" is exactly, that's right, how I "get lost in it". And that's no overnight thing; I've been at it longer than you have.

[@stereoreviewx]

oh

[@nc3419]

Analytical listening judges, Emotional listening flows through and you just accept it naturally.

[@barrybrennan2135]

I have a Leben CS300XS and a Yamaha here...must admit I prefer the detailed presentation of the Yamaha, over the more emotive valve amp. I suppose we all look for different things...

[@sosonic12000]

You make a very good point Mr K….

[@jonmustang]

Great philosophy of sound (and life)! I totally agree. Whatever helps us get out of analysis and into the moment and feel of flow is "good," and it's gonna be different for everyone :) edit: by the way, at first I thought the speakers you had there were far in the background and a few feet tall, with massive lava lamps on the floor. Took me a second to realize they were on a desk, haha

[@SuperMcgenius]

Good advice👍

[@itisjustacomment]

I also think you get used to systems. At first, you think it's amazing, and then it's just normal. This is my excuse why I have lots for equipment :)

[@fivish]

An audiophile is a rich person who enjoys the boxes more than the sound. If your system is a little bit better or equal to the average recording studio then you are done. After all, an amplifier is physics and they were perfected 40 years ago.

[@jedi-mic]

I've always wanted to get into stain glass how do I go about it is there courses near me.

[@ConorHanley]

Analysing the sound of the Hi-Fi is one thing but all music is not just of the moment and sometimes analysing music is good.

[@Douglas_Blake]

Most people who sit and subjectively critique their stereos are actually critiquing their source recordings. You would be amazed if you knew how often people get themselves into a frenzy, blaming their equipment when it's just another crappy recording.

[@eliasroque2397]

Best regards from Portugal👍🏼

[@janinapalmer8368]

I wish I still lived back in the UK ... we would meet up and chat for hours / days on all things hi fi and eye fi ... I love your approach to listening... I totally agree and understand where you're coming from... If things SOUND right then they ARE right .... All the best for 2025 btw .... and happy listening 👂..😝

[@stereoreviewx]

thank you

[@TheLemon777]

Tell me about it, spent about a year listening to Radiohead though Mission 751's - that's self harm.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Your right , I know I’ve a good setup when I just sit and listen to the music and tap my foot

[@malcatron]

I think the modern internet "audiophile" views HiFi as some kind of sport or competition. There's nothing wrong with that if it truly makes you happy, but my interest in HiFi was born from my love of music and the desire to connect with it in the best way possible. I've never understood the obsession with measurements (beyond an actual engineering standpoint) - the only measurement worth observing is how big a smile it puts on your face!

[@TheJanakev]

Lower Res = Higher enjoyment. Very difficult balance to get just the right amount of treble detail, before a system becomes over analytical. 4 years. Hundreds £ worth of caps and resistors before I tuned my speakers to a relaxing listen. 2 diy Dacs and 1 bought for different moods and musics. Probably should of bought a pre amp with tones controls.

[@CDBC]

Hi Kelvin, here is a note on stained glass windows. I'm a slot car Racer with a home built wood track in the basement. I recently suffered a stroke, and currently I'm stuck in a wheelchair. As a result the basement is out of reach. Thankfully I still have my stereo, which is upstairs. What do stained glass windows have to do with anything? It's the copper tape that provides the power! Paul

[@stereoreviewx]

yes i allways use copper foil for my interconnects 😅 good wishes my freind K

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

"Music lovers need speakers to hear their music. Audophiles need music to hear their speakers." Someone wiser than me said that.

[@stereoreviewx]

i like it K

[@jozefserf2024]

Spoken like the best subjective reviewer that he clearly is. Bose have based their entire success on this principle.

[@kenhiett5266]

Interesting. I've still never heard anything from Bose that did it for me. I wonder what the specific disconnect from my preference is.

[@GiancarloBenzina]

There‘s only one thing that matters in Hifi - You have to put your Portugal listening t-shirt on. Without you will never experience the same.

[@stereoreviewx]

Actually, that’s my next video

[@jim010109]

I think you're spot on.

[@eugenefudge3685]

It all starts with great recordings you like. And good electronic equipment and speakers you like the sound of..😅

[@stephenhill8806]

I swear those lava lamps are growing.

[@iancatchpole5223]

Well put sir, if the music played on your system makes you tap your feet or maybe sing along. That's a winner in my book. I guess sometimes we can't see the forest for the tree's.

[@richardelliott8352]

my first thought was that the guy didn't bother to learn English, learned is the correct past tense word in this headline use . I fully support his opinion of boutique audio manufacturers. I am enjoying a turntable designed by the guy with his name over the company door, Michell engineering , they gyro product has been market competitive in hi fi since the sixties and will easily outlast me. My only caution is to select with an eye towards service and support, a problem with some small audio companies. one needs to consume responsibly and avoid disposable product. His amp isn't working, I can only guess that proper service is difficult, while my turntable has all the factory parts easily available on the internet.

[@nudebaboon4874]

My advice, avoid PS/PoS audio then, zero back up.

[@anoksf216]

He’s a native English speaker. Learnt is correct.

[@grahampenny6289]

For me , sometimes a system can sound too good … making you really listen to every detail instead of just listening … Feel free to tell me I’m talking rubbish 😁

[@jeffn1384]

I had a pair of speakers once that sounded ok but over 30 minutes or so of listening I'd get irritable, anxious, unsettled. There was just something about them. I think they had a really uneven frequency response and it just didn't agree with me.

[@skviki385]

Yesterday I set up my freshly bought Wiim Ultra, connected it by USB to an Exposure DAC and played Dire Straits Alchemy...BOOM that was that, just ss you describe. Did not really expect it but hey, who's complaining?

[@greenfee100]

Music is what's pleasing to "your" ears🤔