Now I'm starting to get a better picture of the problem. From what you're saying, the real issue is not the recording media alone, but matching an individual pair of ears to the audio engineer's performance on the recording instruments. Somewhat. The whole audio production and consumption process is a complex one from the moment a musician plays or sings a note until the final sound emanates from a sound system chosen by a single listener. All through the chain, many people use their perception of sound to shape the result. In the end, the listener perceives the final result in his or her own way - a result that can be further skewed by the type of playback hardware, listening environment, mood, etc.

That explains why some people spend $80,000 on a high-end stereo system and are still unsatisfied with the sound. High quality is not necessarily the best for a particular person. It's just more likely to be good. That's exactly correct. As shocking as it may seem, some people consider music nothing more than background noise (gasp) and might forever be happy listening to 24 hour talk shows on a $5 radio! On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who can't live without good music and perfect sound who also happen to have the funding to pursue audio excellence at any expense. The rest of us fall somewhere in between these two extremes. And in actuality, none of these viewpoints is more valid than the other.

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I wouldn't say that it's psychological. Its just that everyone has different hearing capabilities as well as different listening environments. For instance, if a person has ultra sensitive hearing in the mid frequency range, that person may be more likely to chose a system that has the side effect of "cutting" the mid-range. A system that accurately reproduces midrange may actually hurt this person's ears or be perceived as boxy.

Isn't that what graphic equalizers are for, though? Sure, an EQ can rectify this, but not everyone knows what one is or even how to use it properly (some people only understand treble and bass). Then again, there are others (some purists, some not) that consider the usage of EQ as sacrilege! And so, because of the weaknesses of our human perception, we sometimes purchase the components that "seem" to sound the best to our personal perceptions rather than buy additional units like an EQ to make up what "seems" to be a deficiency of some other component.

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Not quite so. For the perceiver, perception IS reality an thus not so irrelevant.

I see. You're very good at explaining these things. Thanks! You're quite welcome.

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Again, this is a process of mastering (final sweetening of the mix prior to duplication and release). Its really hard to explain. But if a recording did not have it, digital or analog, the music may sound flat.

The things they don't tell you. Incredible, isn't it? And amazingly, there's even much more than we've discussed - some are even considered closely guarded secrets of the industry!

Now I'm wondering what really goes into my McDonald's hamburgers. :) Some things are best never to be questioned! :-D

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Try just going into a store that sells high end gear and test some of this stuff out we're talking about. You will hear the difference. You may not be able to justify the costs, but at least you'll know.

I'm not good at bluffing the salesbeasts, and they always pounce on you in those places. Yes. This is true. I suppose the key is to go there when customer outnumber the salepeople. That may lower your chances of getting pounced upon. :-P

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You've said nothing that has offended me. I think you have been very friendly and I've heave greatly enjoyed the debate.

Thanks. You're a pleasure to converse with. I thank you.

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A ha! That would be considered having a master then!

I guess that settles that then. :) Whew! :-)

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Yes. There is much more processing of audio than you may have realized prior to the time it lands on a CD or vinyl. And depending on the final format (CD or vinyl), the process can be different.

Now I understand why people compare different releases of the same material even on CD. Indeed so.

Its been fun, Soleil! Kindest regards, John Efofex - Sound of Electronics http://www.efofex.net/