We all know our system at a (current) single point in time, and when we've made a change to said system, we notice if there's a difference (better/worse). We generally are quite honest with ourselves in this singular experience. But what I've found is that we can detect the slightest of nuance change (for the better) and yet in the grand scheme of things it really only amounts to a very very small change. Problem is you see, is that we hanker after any possible small change. The human auditory system (ear / brain) is incredibly sensitive and we learn 'models' all throughout our lifetime of what differences in change of phase relates to. It's been vital to our fight or flight system for example. I believe that a lot of people out there lean towards the thermionic valve for audio reproduction because it exhibits the least amount of phase distortion (I was one of them). But now, having experienced the craftsmanship of our Knight in shining armour Mr CJ-14, it is absolutely clear that it is his work that brings us closest yet to the 'models' of reality we reference to. He is quite simply - a Genius !
We all know our system at a (current) single point in time, and when we've made a change to said system, we notice if there's a difference (better/worse). We generally are quite honest with ourselves in this singular experience. But what I've found is that we can detect the slightest of nuance change (for the better) and yet in the grand scheme of things it really only amounts to a very very small change. Problem is you see, is that we hanker after any possible small change. The human auditory system (ear / brain) is incredibly sensitive and we learn 'models' all throughout our lifetime of what differences in change of phase relates to. It's been vital to our fight or flight system for example. I believe that a lot of people out there lean towards the thermionic valve for audio reproduction because it exhibits the least amount of phase distortion (I was one of them). But now, having experienced the craftsmanship of our Knight in shining armour Mr CJ-14, it is absolutely clear that it is his work that brings us closest yet to the 'models' of reality we reference to. He is quite simply - a Genius !
Wow! You've been thinking about it @Smiffy - and you spent a lot more time putting it into words than I did.
I've made changes that were both better and worse. For example, my SMSL DAC did some things better and some things worse, but on balance, the better won. (I also had plans to replace the power supply, of course).
FWIW, my wife always insists that the changes I make are only going to be evident to a trained enthusiast's ear. She then sits down and says I can hear that! But, I absolutely agree, we are in the game of incremental change. We can willingly spend thousands on achieving that incremental change, too. (That's why I make software changes and tweaks, and change PSUs. In my judgement, that's where the value is for my system).
Funnily enough, I've never liked valves, and thought I didn't like Class A until Colin brought round a SECA power amp about 15 years ago. It blew me away! I still don't like valves And I still have Colin's SECA amps in my big rig.
I think I can see Colin's head expanding even from the south coast Even if he is a genius
I forgot to say to the other bit in what you wrote: It doesn't tend to keep "giving" as we normalise to this 'level' of performance.
But then, one person's 'giving' might well be different to another's...
Maybe my 'giving' is different. I'd say it depends on what timespan you're looking at, and how big a music collection you have to hand. I still discover new things in recordings some time after an upgrade.
I'd also classify 'keeping on giving' as me not realising I've made a mistake or feeling that my first impressions were a bit off.
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Yeah I'd pretty much agree with that.
We all know our system at a (current) single point in time, and when we've made a change to said system, we notice if there's a difference (better/worse). We generally are quite honest with ourselves in this singular experience. But what I've found is that we can detect the slightest of nuance change (for the better) and yet in the grand scheme of things it really only amounts to a very very small change. Problem is you see, is that we hanker after any possible small change. The human auditory system (ear / brain) is incredibly sensitive and we learn 'models' all throughout our lifetime of what differences in change of phase relates to. It's been vital to our fight or flight system for example.
I believe that a lot of people out there lean towards the thermionic valve for audio reproduction because it exhibits the least amount of phase distortion (I was one of them). But now, having experienced the craftsmanship of our Knight in shining armour Mr CJ-14, it is absolutely clear that it is his work that brings us closest yet to the 'models' of reality we reference to.
He is quite simply - a Genius !
But then, one person's 'giving' might well be different to another's...