38 replies to this topic

[Drizt]

We all have our preferences and we like some things better than we like other things (amps, speakers, dacs, etc).

But does the why do you like it and how is are they different (as in what causes them to sound different) interest you?

[Drizt]

Personally, the how / why does interest me but I'm more interested in the end result.

[Young Skywalker]

Yes, I am interested in correlating the how and why with my subjective likes and dislikes in audio playback. That is how the learning process works.... for me at least.

It can, however, turn into a bit of a chicken/egg debate when someone suggests that subjective preferences are developed on the back of an objective belief.

[houdinifangs]

Sometimes. I like to know to an extent but I rarely go deeper than the general characteristics of a type of equipment. I prefer to listen to how the equipment affects an individual - so I suppose I like well reasoned but subjective evaluations. I could not read much of a technical report on it's own. I can't vote as there is no "fence sitting" relativist position.

[JohnA]

couldnt give a rats ****

is that the same as a flying fig??????????????

[Juicester]

couldnt give a rats ****

is that the same as a flying fig??????????????

hope so cos that's what i went with..

[Drizt]

I can't vote as there is no "fence sitting" relativist position.

hmmm I always miss at least one option in a poll.

[Drizt]

couldnt give a rats ****

is that the same as a flying fig??????????????

That is correct

[turntable]

Another troll poll I see.

please put that down as a choice next time and see how many people vote for that.

[Drizt]

Please don't bring your negativity into this thread.

You have totally misread / misunderstood the question.

[proftournesol]

Shane I think that you're being a little unfair here, it's a reasonable question but nobody is compelled to answer it.

[rocky500]

Yes I like to find out why something sounds like it does. I know I will be upgrading sooner or latter (always sooner it seems) to try and get a better system/sound.
If I know why I can make some of my blind purchases(Not hear them first) with hopefully a better undertanding of what I'm looking for. Does not always work.
I like to buy second hand, so my resale value won't be so bad. So its not nice to go to shops if I don't intend to buy from them.

Edited by rocky500, 14 March 2012 - 04:48 PM.

[Drizt]

Sound reasoning there rocky.

Anyone else want to share the lengths they go to, to answer the 'how' and the 'why'. Some examples perhaps.

Edited by Drizt, 14 March 2012 - 03:00 PM.

[Marc]

Another troll poll I see.

please put that down as a choice next time and see how many people vote for that.

I won't delete this, and Drizt's request is reasonable.
Move on and let the topic run its course please.

[Ralph]

I always like to know the how and why of the music, - it puts it into context and broadens my understanding of it.
Of the equipment, I like to know just a bit more than the basics, so I can identify issues and tweek if necessary.

[aechmea]

Sometimes. It depends on what the subject is. I only delve into subjects which pique my interest.

Acoustics - yes. Bought the text books and read them.

Digital - yes. Mathematician by training and spent 5 years of working life working with binary numbers in machine language level programming. When I tinker I tinker with the DEQX software settings.

Electronics/Engineering - no. I know which end of a soldering iron is hot but that's about it.

Musicality/Artiness/Emotion/Foot-tapping - no. Immune to this sort of stuff. To me music is a set of intertwined note sequences; and voices are just another instrument. I don't hear lyrics (nor my wife - when it suits:))

Classic INTJ personality. Or type 5/6wing enneagram if you prefer. Or Taurus if you like the analog version (just joking guys - I couldn't resist:p)

[rantan]

I wonder what flying figs taste like?

Edited by rantan, 14 March 2012 - 07:34 PM.
for simplicity

[soundfan]

I went the flying fig option.
I'm only interested in how it sounds to be honest. The science of it all bores me pretty much; I only research further when trying to carefully match the components I buy and use in my system.

[b.d]

Cant vote, I'm too split. I'm not interested in digital playback for example, I'll buy whatever dac is the flavor of the month without looking into what chips it uses or probably even bothering with a demo. Speakers and room acoustics on the other hand I'm very interested in understanding.

[JohnA]

I went the flying fig option.
I'm only interested in how it sounds to be honest. The science of it all bores me pretty much; I only research further when trying to carefully match the components I buy and use in my system.

my thoughts exactly

[Paul Spencer]

It won't surprise anyone, but yes, the technical reasons for things interest me a great deal. I could say various reasons why it's good to know, but the simple truth is I find audio fascinating. You don't choose your passions, they choose you.

[soundfan]

It won't surprise anyone, but yes, the technical reasons for things interest me a great deal. I could say various reasons why it's good to know, but the simple truth is I find audio fascinating. You don't choose your passions, they choose you.

I wouldn't have expected any other answer from you Paul.

[Drizt]

yay, we have a donkey

[Super Mustud]

Sometimes, but not usually.

[davewantsmoore]

Another troll poll I see

I urge you to take a look in the mirror.

[Marc]

I did ask that we could move on, in order to avoid having to close what could potentially be a good thread.

[davewantsmoore]

All their fields I'm involved in (IT, sport science, and audio) at one point or another have had a lot of "accepted wisdom". Lots of "yes, do this" .... but often light on the why/why not.

If you want to better the "accepted wisdom" and forge your own path a little, you have to understand it ... even sometimes only so far as "knowing what you don't know".

[Drizt]

I agree dave, a better understanding of the 'how' and 'why' is very enlightening and can help one focus on the important parts/topics rather than drowning in the less important stuff. Sometimes the effort required to gain that understand can be a tad overwhelming. Concepts like jitter, sampling theorem etc can be difficult to get a grasp of.

[Batty]

i went with the 1st option, being a techo by trade I'm interested in how things work, but don't get too much time to delve into that area very often.

[Zammo]

With a background in Science (medicine), can't help but be interested in the how and why.

Well aware of the limitations of my understanding, though, as there is little crossover between medicine and the technical aspects of audio.

[datafone]

With a background in Science (medicine), can't help but be interested in the how and why.

Well aware of the limitations of my understanding, though, as there is little crossover between medicine and the technical aspects of audio.

Take two and if symptoms persist....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]42300[/ATTACH]

[Drizt]

So far it seems that most people are interested in the how. What differs is the level of pro activeness in finding the answers to those questions.

[Zammo]

Take two and if symptoms persist....
[ATTACH=CONFIG]42300[/ATTACH]

Ahhh, the stories I could tell......would bring tears to your eyes!

[davidsss]

I am interested, mainly because I find things easier to remember and more engaging if I understand something about how they work. In any case it is interesting to find out how things work, just for the sake of it.

DS

[davewantsmoore]

Concepts like jitter, sampling theorem etc can be difficult to get a grasp of.

Absolutely. I can understand why the majority of people don't care. Music is much more important than science for most :-)

... unfortunately, like politics (IMO).... it can reach a stage where you can say anything you want and get away with it. The real truths get buried behind side arguments.

Edited by davewantsmoore, 16 March 2012 - 10:56 AM.

[Drizt]

Absolutely. I can understand why the majority of people don't care. Music is much more important than science for most :-)

... unfortunately, like politics (IMO).... it can reach a stage where you can say anything you want and get away with it. The real truths get buried behind side arguments.

Exactly right Dave. It becomes very frustrating at times.

[John H. Darko]

I accidentally ran my Yuin earbuds through the washing machine last week...and they now sound BETTER THAN EVER. I'd love to know about the 'how' and 'why' on that unintentional upgrade.

[heman_]

Now that I think about it, Im interested in the how and why when it comes to vinyl but for everything else cant say I'm too fussed

[Juicester]

I accidentally ran my Yuin earbuds through the washing machine last week...and they now sound BETTER THAN EVER. I'd love to know about the 'how' and 'why' on that unintentional upgrade.

lol.. cleaned out all that ear wax...