Pace, Rhythm and Dynamics

[Dr.Bass]

Friends,
Here is an amazing article on Pace, Rhythm and Dynamics and its importance in hifi: Pace, Rhythm, & Dynamics | Stereophile.com

 

[square_wave]

Hmmm.... looks like the naim bug has bitten

 

[Dr.Bass]

Hmmm.... looks like the naim bug has bitten

Since you have asked, Naim is outstanding. It is expensive but the way it conveys music, I have never heard that happen ever in my life. The older Naims did it at the cost of refinement and transparency but the new Naims have overcome all that without losing the Naim strengths. You know how it sounds when everything falls into place and your mind is totally soaked in music...that is Naim.

 

[square_wave]

Interesting DR Bass...

I liked this part from the article:

There is no good reason why neutral, transparent systems cannot also reproduce dynamic and rhythmic elements well, particularly if designed to do so from the start. However, such design specifications do not yet exist in a quantifiable sense. At present, the specifications must, of necessity, be subjective, based on careful listening and the use of comparative references. Ultimately, the reference is live music.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Yes, it seems beyond a certain stage, designing an audio equipment has a lot to do with listening. When something sounds right, finding a scientific/mathematical reason for it should be easy . But if one comes from the other end, meaning getting the math right and then justifying the sound accordingly, you know where it can go then!!

 

[Dr.Bass]

The interesting thing about Naim is, even though it is a full solid-state device it sounds like the best of SS and Tube. One can be easily fooled to believe that there are some serious tubes inside those black chasis boxes. That is also the reason, I guess, you will not see Naim-ees using tube preamps and such. You just dont need tubes with Naim, they have all the natural warmth, flow, air and glow of tubes...unbelievable. Then you have that amazing drive and timing. woah !!

 

[anm]

Since you have asked, Naim is outstanding. It is expensive but the way it conveys music, I have never heard that happen ever in my life. The older Naims did it at the cost of refinement and transparency but the new Naims have overcome all that without losing the Naim strengths. You know how it sounds when everything falls into place and your mind is totally soaked in music...that is Naim.

Dr Bass - which speakers did you audition with naim electronics?

 

[Dr.Bass]

The best Naim audition was with a pair of ATC SCM20 SL. Then I also heard it with few other speakers like Neat Motive1 and Eminent Technology Planar hybrid.

 

[anm]

thanks. what Naim amp and what source?

 

[Dr.Bass]

I have heard the Nait 5i, Nait XS and SuperNait among integrateds
Pre-power : 52/135, 202/200, 32.5/250 (older generation)
Sources : Modded Rega Saturn, Naim CD5i, CD5 XS, CDS2

 

[anm]

these? - ATC SCM20SL

 

[Dr.Bass]

yes but the floorstander version of this speaker. I think now it is only made to order.

 

[prem]

Hi Dr Bass


Try and hear a Sonneteer Alabaster. Its like the Naim with a wee bit more warmth. One of the best integrateds i have owned.

 

[ssf]

I like to browse through, among other things, the Columns of stereophile.com. While not admitting that I subscribe to their views, it does get what little grey cells that I have left, working.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

Friends,
Here is an amazing article on Pace, Rhythm and Dynamics and its importance in hifi: Pace, Rhythm, & Dynamics | Stereophile.com

If the Pace is wrong ... check your TT speed.

If the Rhythm is wrong ... avoid those musicians in the future.

Dynamics ... Hmmm, not so suree about that one.

The article is typical audiophoolery

fundamental rhythmic stability...

Oh dear: should I laugh or cry?

Who knows, there might be a grain of truth in what the guy is saying, but the misuse of musical terms and the pseudo-science (he claims to be an engineer!) is just what gives this world a bad name.

 

[Dr.Bass]

If the Pace is wrong ... check your TT speed.

If the Rhythm is wrong ... avoid those musicians in the future.

Dynamics ... Hmmm, not so suree about that one.

The article is typical audiophoolery

Oh dear: should I laugh or cry?

Who knows, there might be a grain of truth in what the guy is saying, but the misuse of musical terms and the pseudo-science (he claims to be an engineer!) is just what gives this world a bad name.

According to you the pace is always correct in a CD player ?

Anyway you are free to disagree with the views presented in this article and you dont even have to justify that.

 

[captrajesh]

The article is typical audiophoolery

Oh dear: should I laugh or cry?

How apt!!!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

According to you the pace is always correct in a CD player ?

Is it possible that it could play the same song faster or slower? I wouldn't have thought so, but correct me of I am wrong.

Doubtless, the guy is not a complete phool, and is talking about genuine impressions. Even if they are entirely subjective, they are still genuine to him. But the language ... damages the case far more than it makes it.

 

[Dr.Bass]

Is it possible that it could play the same song faster or slower? I wouldn't have thought so, but correct me of I am wrong.

Well, I dont know where to start explaining this. I am not good at it. Could be because I have always learnt things through practicals i.e listening, and theory was only to join the dots or sometimes only for the sake of reading. Moreover you seem to be very fussy about the language one uses to explain audio experience, may be because you depend a lot on these articles and the terminologies used to understand the phenomenon. I am from the exact opposite school. I can forgive any such language/terminology issues as long as my "practical experience" resonates with the writer's. I can make sense of what he wants to say, may be because I know what he wants to say, after all I have seen/heard that happening live. In such cases, I dont validate the article based on language and terminologies.

Anyway,
Speed stability and pace of music are entirely two different things, just in case you were confused between them. In a cdp a 5 minute audio track always ends in 5 mins, I agree, the speed is also stable, I agree. Is that the reason you think that the "pace of music" is also always correct in a CDP ?

If your answer is yes, then I would assume that you dont think amplifiers affect the pace of music ? Logically it cannot because it cannot delay the music on its own. Am I right ?

If your answer is "no" to any of the questions above, then we may have more to discuss.

 

[Bluu]

If your answer is yes, then I would assume that you dont think amplifiers affect the pace of music ? Logically it cannot because it cannot delay the music on its own. Am I right ?

I have found that my Audio Analogue amp is very laid-back and relaxed and it definitely affects the pace of fast-paced music. No way can one enjoy rock/metal on it simply because it is not that agile. On the other hand, female vocals, folk and blues sound fantastic!