A Quick Note About the Jargon Forum

[MylesBAstor]

The intent when creating the Audio Jargon forum was to discuss the "everyday" terminology we use to describe the sound of audio systems. In fact, my objective was providing a framework for discussion of these words, not a 10 Commandments carved out of stone! Too often these terms are just lightly tossed around and used incorrectly. And that just leads to mass confusion More than that, I think it's really important for everyone to use and understand the same terminology when describing the sound of their systems, what they hear at their audiobuddies home, dealers, shows, etc. So please jump in--and add some good musical examples of the word (s)--when sharing your thoughts!

[Rust]

Some esoteric audio terminology.

Magic smoke. Audio components operate on magic smoke. Don't believe it? Let the magic smoke out of a component and it probably doesn't function very well anymore. There are also certain not normally used colorful audio terms employed in the event of a loss of magic smoke.

There is the related Magic Fire, rarely experienced. Most commonly observed in ancient tube electronics where the insulation is so aged it has fallen off the conductor or the guts of a capacitor have turned to powder. Maybe the primary and secondary of a transformer not being as well insulated from each other as would be desirable. Even more colorful audio terminology is sometimes used in the event of magic fire.

[MylesBAstor]

Some esoteric audio terminology.

Magic smoke. Audio components operate on magic smoke. Don't believe it? Let the magic smoke out of a component and it probably doesn't function very well anymore. There are also certain not normally used colorful audio terms employed in the event of a loss of magic smoke.

There is the related Magic Fire, rarely experienced. Most commonly observed in ancient tube electronics where the insulation is so aged it has fallen off the conductor or the guts of a capacitor have turned to powder. Maybe the primary and secondary of a transformer not being as well insulated from each other as would be desirable. Even more colorful audio terminology is sometimes used in the event of magic fire.

But the only know high-end component to reportedly kill someone was the old Rappaport amplifier.

Actually catching fire isn't just the province of tubes. Do you know about the history of the first Marantz solid-state gear? Not pretty.

[Rust]

Myles - I've never had much of a budget. Second hand and multi generational hand gear in the 60s was always problematic. I learned to check for nesting mice.

[MylesBAstor]

Myles - I've never had much of a budget. Second hand and multi generational hand gear in the 60s was always problematic. I learned to check for nesting mice.

One of my audiobuddies biggest regrets was selling his Marantz 8b and 7 for the new and improved Marantz solid-state amplifier and preamplifier. His preamp blew up, he took it back at that time to the factory in Queens and there were racks and racks of Marantz solid-state preamps that had been returned for repairs. So being an early adopter didn't pay off even that far back!

Contrary example: I was'nt an early adopter of CDs and that paid off really well. :-0

[Rust]

Myles - So then there are reasons for not being an early adopter aside from being broke.

[MylesBAstor]

[Guest]

As an avid jargonaut I find a positive way to define or explain terminology is through ostensive definition: point to specific passages in widely available recorded music as examples of what you're talking about. Hearing is comprehension of description.

[user510]

Sounds Like? An Audio Glossary. J. Gordon Holt 1993

http://www.stereophile.com/reference/50/

I printed out a copy of this one for my own references. Studied it......... and then wrote a few reviews.

I find it useful although there is one term that seems to be missing from that article.......Jump Factor.
Jump Factor is a term I searched for when I was in the process of describing my early experiences with a TD124.

-Steve