For Newbies: how to listen:swaps/changes

Hi Elizabeth: I have a bit of an odd one for you. If an audition causes me to subconsciously tighten my jaw but sounds good, then something is amiss. This usually signals, to me anyway, an exciting piece of gear or synergy that will not fare in the short/long run and will become fatiguing. I also us the same selection of music for every audition (which drives my wife crazy when I fiddle at home). I will add a song or piece only when I am familiar with it enough to know when each note and instrument is coming up. I focus on notes and percussive strikes as well as the whole of the music. This method really helps expedite the process for me. Also with some auditions I have had to keep reminding myself to analyze the gear. The last of these being a pair of Reynaud speakers, which I purchased immediately afterward. I call these no brainers if I am in the mood for a change and the price is right. If you are seriously interested in something then do all that you can to obtain a home demo as the room, for most of us, is a major part of the system (usually the bad part).

The idea of having a few songs or pieces of music is an outstanding suggestion that I myself follow. Another rule that I have is only changing one piece of equipment at a time. When I put a new piece of equipment in the system my first goal is to try to identify what it does differently. Once I have gotten a feel for what it does, I attempt to determine weather the differences are improvements. Remember, just because something sounds different does not mean that it sounds better. I sometimes think we fool ourselves into thinking that different means better, IMO it doesn't. Determining weather a difference is an improvement can take some time. This is where I move away from the few "audition" pieces of music and start listening to as much different music as I can. While doing this I continue to switch back and forth between the equipment pieces being compared, although not nearly as much. Last working with a good dealer or two can help a great deal. Get to know them and let them get to know you. Tell them what your priorities are and stick with it. If a priority changes, let them know. If the dealer knows what you want to upgrade and knows what your goals and tastes are they can and will help you.

I put whatever component or cable in for a few days, if I find myself wanting to cut it up louder with less fatigue then it works for me. P.J. is a good one to check stuff out with.

Background details is a parameter that helps me to find improvements or losses obtained with changes. I'm not implying that it's the key thing but I have a couple of tracks that have details that pan between LR and if presence is better it's a good sign to check other qualities in the presentation. Take for certain that a change that you make (after the needed set-in time)gives something you don't like ( less presence or coloration in voices) might require other adjustments to judge properly.

I particularly select a track on a CD (a segment of it) and use the repeat feature to check between settings trying to detect main differences to keep into account in longer listening evaluation sessions. Also is a good thing to go back to your previous setting for lengthy listening and compare notes and your emotional reactions to the music.
As Elizabeth noted it's a complex skill that has to be developed, good thread