When is digital going to get the soul of music?

If I listen to your set up, it will most likely shift my paradigm. Then when I go back to my system, it won't sound as good. So, I'm afraid to come by ;).

Nothing is as consistent in this hobby as an audiophile's preference for his/her own system regardless of an appreciation of other's rigs. :)

I'm in Southern California.

Ironically, my system has undergone a paradigm shift as I move toward a more musical and less accurate presentation.

I hear you, Tvad, mine has made a drastic sway towards a more musical presentation with the addition of the TRL/Sony DVP-NS900V. I still have the TRL/SA-14, but find that it is accurate, but not as anywhere near musical as the Sony 900.

I've had the SA-14 described as being more like a vdH Grasshopper, quick and accurate but not as musical as a Koetsu Rosewood Sig. Platinum.

It's funny how our journey changes in this hobby. Of course it's not as if I have no complaints about accuracy now.

Best,

Jack

Interesting, Jack, that you consider the SA-14 less musical than the Sony. I owned a SA-14 in stock form, and I felt it was perhaps the most musical, least accurate player I had heard (among Modwright Sony 999ES, Underwood HiFi Shanling T200, Electrocompaniet EMC 1-UP). Your statement helps me understand the TRL effect on that particular player. No TRL dig intended.

This will show my ignorance, but by recording techniques, I meant something like the singer who's voice was coming from the left side of his throat to maybe step further away from the microphone to give a more natural presentation. D_edwards, would surround sound help this a bit? I still can't get over the high I got when I listened to Aplhifi's system. If I judged it a 15, I judge mine a 1 or less. I do know that when I'm away from my all analog system, that the songs start playing through my head. Does digital do that?

Tvad:

Stock, the SA-14 is thin and hard sounding, with a sucked out mid-range and without much frequency extension in the bottom end. (To my ears, in my system) Not overly dynamic, either.

After the mod, that ALL changes dramatically, however it still sounds a little mechanical to some degree, especially when compared to a player that is both accurate and incredibly musical.

I could still live with the SA-14 (I don't plan on selling mine), but find myself desiring the musicality that I now enjoy. (And it is more accurate to boot).

"No TRL dig intended."

Thank you. It's pleasant when we can share our opinions, even though we may walk different paths. Don't you agree?

Best,

Jack