Progressive Rock


Have any of you specifically built your system to listen to progressive rock, i.e. Yes, Genesis, Pink Floyd, etc.? I'm curious because I have, and was wondering what components you have found that lend themselves well to this particular type of music. The reason I asks is that I attended the Home Entertainment show last month in NYC. And not one of the rooms I visited were playing rock of any kind - and they did not seem receptive to taking request - especially at the volume I would need to hear before plunking down oh say $12,000 for a pair of speakers. Any incite you care to share is appreciated. Thanks, Matt...
yes9
HOW COOOL!!!
KEN GOLDEN IS THE #$&***!!! ... this guy is at all the big prog festivals and Lasers Edge (his label) puts out some of the finest brain fry endorphin rock ever released!! The Addition by Subtraction, Neblenest and Volare discs alone put him in the history books. It's great to see him posting!!!
Yo Duane!!

Thanks for the endorsement. We've got a monster prog rock disc coming out in a few weeks you should check out. The band is called "Wobbler". They are the opening band at NEARfest this year.

Bob Katz did the mastering and it is drool worthy. It is one of the most dynamic rock recordings I've ever heard - this disc EXPLODES. Mellotrons, flutes, Hammond organ, Rickenbacker bass, Moogs, ARPs, grand piano, electric and acoustic guitar and percussion up the ying-yang. It's totally over the top prog and an extremely transparent recording to boot.

I'm always happy to talk prog...always happy to talk audio...extremely happy to talk about both at the same time.

Regards,
Ken Golden
The Laser's Edge
www.lasercd.com
I have been buying cd's from Ken Goldens www.lasercd.com for over 5 years now (probably close to 250cd's). One of the best sites on the net for Prog, no im not associated in any way.
Often I read that rock (progressive or otherwise; is there regressive rock?) needs speakers with lots of bass. I think what is much more important is smooth, non-etched, non-tizzy highs & non-pushy or too-forward mids. There is enough of this in the music & you need to complement these features rather than highlight them. You also need to deal with close-miked vocals, which can sound terrible & acidic with over-detailed tweeters. Wilsons sound strident on rock, as the tweeters transmit all distortion loud & clear. I think Aerials, nice & polite, are very good on rock (I used to have 10ts). I also thought the Appogee Stages had a nice live sound while still smooth & involving.
I don't know what type of music I built my system around, but I still enjoy listing to progressive rock from the 70's whenever the mood strikes, because that's all I was into back then. Prog rock sounds pretty damn good comming out of my Basis TT, CJ EV-1 phono pre, Threshold pre,and power amp powering my ML Aerius i 's. My imagination tells me, if you're going to build around prog rock, go with CJ tubed pre with high powered CJ SS amp powering Vandersteen or Legacy, or the speakers Rgs92 suggested. Large woffers are the ticket. BTW has anyone listen to any Renaissance lately - Annie Haslam can sing her ass off.