bending the pipe

[rollinrocker]

I saw david blaine bite a quarter in half. I also saw him have a lady write her name on a playing card and the card was later found in an unopened bottle of beer. I was amazed! I know these things could not have happened, but that didn't make them any less enjoyable to watch. About a year ago i added a new amp and a voltage regulator to my system. I was very happy with the upgrade, hearing details (imagining details?) that i had not heard before. There are those that say there are no differences to be heard. That didn't detract from my enjoying my system more. I can put on a cd, close my eyes and i'd SWEAR holly cole was right in front of me! I KNOW she's not in the room, but i suspend belief with the help of my equipment. Be it real or imagined, the upgrade made it more realistic.

There are those that swear they hear improvement by putting four quarters on top of their speakers. I DON'T hear it, but if they think that makes the system sound better, more power to 'em. Who am i to say otherwise? This hobby of ours is all about creating illusions. If a new amp or power cable (speaker wires anyone?) help persuade me (or you) that for just one moment we are in middle earth or leo kottke is in my living room, who is to say they don't? Maybe the pipe really DOES bend in the water.

 

[mtrycrafts]

Maybe the pipe really DOES bend in the water.

Yes, maybe it does. We can ignore it or test it and perhaps find an alternate explanation. That alternate explanation would not detract form those who believe otherwise. But, I know from personal messages, that there are readers here without posting, who do want other explanations.

I enjoy illusions as well as the next person but I rather know reality, don't you?

 

[mike c]

you have a point rollinrocker.
if it does change your perception/feeling, then 4 quarters on top of your speaker/amp is just about the cheapest upgrade I can think of.

 

[~JC~]

The Mona Lisa

But just how does one measure and quantify the smile of the Mona Lisa. And if solid state is measurably cleaner than tube, why do tubes sound better? And since we can measure anything, why can't anyone play like Jimi Hendrix? The list would seem to extend.

 

[Mudcat]

About a year ago i added a new amp and a voltage regulator to my system. I was very happy with the upgrade, hearing details (imagining details?) that i had not heard before. There are those that say there are no differences to be heard.

This is not a typical tweak. What you did was totally change your system, obviously for the better.

There are those that swear they hear improvement by putting four quarters on top of their speakers. I DON'T hear it, but if they think that makes the system sound better, more power to 'em. Who am i to say otherwise?

If I put four quarters on my speaker, all I would hear is the four quarters rattling - at least until my 6 year old daughter finds a better use for them.

This hobby of ours is all about creating illusions. If a new amp or power cable (speaker wires anyone?) help persuade me (or you) that for just one moment we are in middle earth or leo kottke is in my living room, who is to say they don't? Maybe the pipe really DOES bend in the water.

It is only when you realize that the spoon does not bend but you mind does some BS or what ever that bald kid said in the Matrix yada yada.

And since we can measure anything, why can't anyone play like Jimi Hendrix?

this is a nonsequitar, please explain yourself.

if it does change your perception/feeling, then 4 quarters on top of your speaker/amp is just about the cheapest upgrade I can think of.

Yeah a dollar is cheap, but in theory you should be able to measure this tweak. If you want a cheap tweak to actually, really change your perception, try a bottle single malt scotch or irish ($35 per bottle minimum divided by approx. 12 servings = ~$3 per event).

 

[newtoitall]

Agreed Mudcat, I find a shot or two of Macallan to be one of the best tweeks you can make to any system within reason

 

[~JC~]

obtuse

Sorry, didn't mean to be obtuse with my response. I was implying that noone has ever been able to duplicate the sound that Hendrix produced. The distortional/feedback complex that was "Jimmie", and is instantly recognizable as such, can surely be measured by todays sophisticated equipment. But despite this, the sound cannot be duplicated, and he died with the secret. Apparrantly, many have tried. I was implying that a "measurement" might not be as important as an impression. Suggesting that music and sound was art, not science.

 

[Mudcat]

How to play like Jim!

Step 1: Set fire to you axe

Step 2: Hire his FOH Engineer

Step 3: Learn to play with your teeth

Step 4: Get a violin bow (oops, wrong Jimmy)

Step 5: Develop a heroin jones

Step 6: Apply feedback

Step 7: Die

 

[sivadselim]

Maybe the pipe really DOES bend in the water.

pass that pipe!

 

[mtrycrafts]

if it does change your perception/feeling, then 4 quarters on top of your speaker/amp is just about the cheapest upgrade I can think of.

ROTFLMAO

It hurts my sides

 

[mtrycrafts]

But just how does one measure and quantify the smile of the Mona Lisa.

Does it need measuring?


And if solid state is measurably cleaner than tube, why do tubes sound better?

Well, that depends on ones preference. But I wonder if they are biased or not although that is not an issue with a preference, bias is valid.


And since we can measure anything, why can't anyone play like Jimi Hendrix? The list would seem to extend.

Oh, that is a reproduction issue
Lots of practice to boot

 

[~JC~]

I really didn't intend to offend anyones feelings with my responses. I guess the measurment notion struck a nerve. I spend most of my professional life, bounded by what can be proven and what can be measured, and what directions should be taken based on the data. I guess that is what I like the most about music. I don't measure anything in relation to it. I just feel it. I never read anything about a given speaker (for ex). I really don't care. I just listen to it. And I wholeheartedly agree, if 4 quarters make your speaker sound better, smile, you have found a riff in the space-time continuum. But be prepared for the fact that you will piss off the guy that just spent 2 grand to find the same riff.

 

[mulester7]

I guess that is what I like the most about music. I don't measure anything in relation to it. I just feel it. I never read anything about a given speaker (for ex). I really don't care. I just listen to it

.....there it is....