The Best Midrange in the World Right Now

Transparency is not the same as detail according to audio glossaries. A transparent component will neither add nor subtract from the signal. It will be transparent. What you describe is the antithesis of transparency. It is coloration with a goal of heightened detail.

All I'm suggesting is that everyone use the proper definition of these terms when discussing them in order to have a beneficial exchange.

I will say that the professional definitions are also somewhat confusing in that Stereophile's definition of transparency is different that Robert Harley's definition of transparency in his book. Both definitions seem to suggest the same thing, but Harley is more adamant about freedom of coloration, while Stereophile's definition of transparency leaves open the door to coloration as an ingredient in the overall illusion of transparency.

Hell, if the pros can't agree, then how are we supposed to?

Tvad, I do NOT disagree with your distinguishing between the terms and suggesting that they be properly used.

What I'm talking about is the ability of most average audiophile folks to easily distinguish the difference between true transparency and the sense transparency brought by 'apparent' additional detail (I'm not talking about obvious frequency bending) created by manipulating things such as the rise and fall times in the signal. They can hear more, ergo it must be more transparent.

Think of all of those great reviewers who impress us by saying how impressed they were by component x - they were hearing things from well known recordings (to them) that they had never heard before. Think of the fate of folks who run out and buy these components based on those types of comments. I do and I empathize.

While I agree that using the 'right words' is essential for effective communication, I would be more enthusiastic if these 'words' were used less and the things that constituted these summary descriptions were used far more.

But perhaps I hope for too much in a commercially driven hobby.

I don't believe it's possible for the average audiophile to distinguish between true transparency and apparent transparency in an unfamiliar system. I believe it'd take me, an average audiophile, many many months of listening and comparing components in my own system to even begin to determine what components have actual transparency and those that have the illusion of transparency. Even then, I don't know if I could truly tell the difference.

For years, one of the primary goals of the audiophile system is transparent playback of the source. So, it doesn't surprise me that this is a quality often highlighted in reviews.

However, I happen to believe that more listeners would be happier with less transparent and more colored playback systems if they were given the opportunity to hear a colored system and a transparent system in the same listening session.

Tvad, One of the side benefits of being happy with a 'colored system' is you have a goal which when found allows you to relax and listen to music. Now the search for transparency is, seemingly at least, an endless quest. :-)

We agree.

Kumbaya.