What else can I expect?

[Resident Loser]

"...There are rhythms and melodies trapped away in most CDs that are rarely heard..."

I'm sorry, but you can't be serious...

"...One where a triangle or xylophone floats above the orchestra and hangs there with a soft decay..."

So much for an accurate image, eh? Floating xylophones? Too much Chagall...

"... Voices so palpable they seem to truly be in the room with you..."

Not difficult...it's all a product of the software anywho...a good source is a good source on everything from a boombox to the ne plus ultra in wild extravagance...

"...One that evokes the deepest emotional response from music..."

THAT is a product of the composition and performance...I am as moved by Pavarotti's "Nessun Dorma"(sp) on my GE portable with it's 2.5in. speaker as I am on my tweeked, EQd and calibrated home system...

jimHJJ(...after all, it IS the music that matters...)

[E-Stat]

"...There are rhythms and melodies trapped away in most CDs that are rarely heard..."

I'm sorry, but you can't be serious...

I tells it like I hears it. My main system is pretty good by most accounts. The one to which I refer is beyond belief. I realize you are not one of the hobbyists who likes to compare system notes, but I will provide details of that one for anyone who is interested.

I will fully agree on the diminishing returns comment. But then, that is not what J*E*Cole asked for.

rw

[Resident Loser]

...if these questions don't open Pandora's box and let all the worms out, I don't know what does...

"...I realize I could spend considerably more on a system, but can anyone tell me what more I would really be getting? What improvements are possible from here? Etc..."

If the caveat of "diminishing returns" is not appropriate at this jucture, I'd like to know at what point you might think it so...

The following has nothing to do with the subject per se, but...on occasion, I relate this story about a "Beach Boys" cut on a "Best of" tape...It, and a few others, are listened predominantly to via Walkman when I do yard work, to the accompaniment of mowers and trimmers and such(oh my!)...One time(in absence of such mechanical cacaphony), I heard what sounded like speech during an instrumental portion of "Fun, Fun, Fun"(I think, think, think)...a quick rewind later and sure enough, way in the background, I could hear what may or may not be direction for the vocals to follow...never heard it before on my main system(and you aren't supposed to, I'd hazard a guess) but now that I know it's there, it's as plain as day...this track also pre-dates widespread use of 'phones on a consumer level...

You hear "rhythms and melodies"? Well, I do also...that defines "music" IMHO...the question arises then, what artist, producer and/or engineer would "hide" those bits and pieces to all but those few who can afford mega-bux amounts in playback gear?...and keep in mind, money seems to be the determining factor here.

My point is, yes, there can be things "buried" in the mix...perhaps they would be noticed in their absence...but as rhythmic and harmonic counterpoint, should they be noticed, however, as a separate entities? Which presentation is "right"?

jimHJJ(...not looking to argue the point, just providing an alternate viewpoint...)

[E-Stat]

I relate this story about a "Beach Boys" cut on a "Best of" tape...

I can relate to that phenomena. I remember a similar situation with a cassette based Walkman and in particular a guitar solo piece by Michael Hedges from Aerial Boundaries. There is a faint string harmonic struck that appears in the background twice. The first time more subtle than the last. I was first aware of that listening to headphones and later I anticipated it's arrival elsewhere. Ironically, it remains relatively louder on the Walkman since the tape is compressed.

You hear "rhythms and melodies"?

Jim, I don't know how to describe this any better. On very familiar material that I've heard a bazillion times (including with a Diskman), I continue to hear more vividly underlying rhythms when I hear certain systems other than my own. With them, it is so easy to pick apart the patterns of any one instrument amidst all the other "action". Unlike the "Walkman-memory" phenomena, I am unable to reproduce what I'm referring to with my stuff.

My point is, yes, there can be things "buried" in the mix...perhaps they would be noticed in their absence...but as rhythmic and harmonic counterpoint, should they be noticed, however, as a separate entities? Which presentation is "right"?

Again, I find this to be a matter of degrees. I'm sure Gus Holst would like for everyone to hear all the nuance and counterpoint found in the Mercury movement of The Planets. between the strings, winds, and harp. Not to mention the harmonic richness of the woodwinds and the resin-y character of strings.

rw