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For Newbies: how to listen:swaps/changes

Listening to a system component change, or going out to listen to new equipment, can be confusing to someone who hasn't mastered the art. I would like to start a topic that might get others to note just what THEY listen for/ notice when modding/swapping stuff. So newer students of the art of swapping/modding (and auditioning) can learn.
I usually will listen to whatever CD has my attention lately and a few that I especially like. I WILL repeat the same parts (I don't get bored, I actually find more every time I listen) i listen, noting if any "new" sound is 'jumping out at me (a triangle I never notice as such before, or that it suddenly sparkles so dramatically) or if some sound is suddenly totaly recognizable (a tapping on a glass with a spoon!! in a P J Harvey tune). etc..
Also switching BACK and seeing if it really is different... and quitting if your "hearing" gets tired.
Any others with hints???
(I'm NOT listing all my ideas now so we all don't get bored reading just my hints!!!)
elizabeth
esylsten
38 posts
 
I'm sure we all have a few reference CD's or LP's that we know very well. I listen to several of them noting any changes I hear in the music. I find that it takes several selections over different sessions to determine the long term effects of the change. This can take place over a few days but making quick judgments can be regrettable. If you are enjoying your music more or hearing things on the recordings that were previoulsy missing then this may be an improvment, however you may need to take the piece out and review the recordings once again to determine if you really are missing the change or not. It may be too small to justify the cost of the change. As mentioned before only make one change at a time. Always make sure the new piece is properly burned in before making a final decision.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
What is P.J.? Progressive jazz?
no_money
565 posts
 
Paula Jean Harvey, not sure how to describe her. Kind of rock on some stuff, but not what you would expect. Really good musicians on all of her stuff. Maybe Elizebeth can describe better.
dekay's avatar
dekay
2,959 posts
 
I will search for her at the record clubs. One of my reference's is "Kepa Junkera" a double CD set of moderm Basque music that uses many different instruments (lots of percussives, even has bag pipes), also a great female vocal on one cut.
1439bhr
85 posts
 
Another aspect to listening is to note your initial reactions to the sound as well as to your reaction when you aren't actively trying to analyze the sound. That is, spend some time not thinking, just trying to enjoy. It's been my experience that when something is a genuine improvement, I tend to have a strong favorable impression almost immediately. Focused listening tends to reveal the reasons why. And then I know I have a winner when I unconsciously slip into a revelry just enjoying the music. This feeling is confirmed when I feel a sense of loss after switching over to the less desireable alternative. My latest experience with this was auditioning a different brand of speaker cable at home. Rather than go into my analysis of the difference, I'll simply say I wound up purchasing it because my wife and I agreed: the cable gave a "happier sound".
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