True Confessions

[MylesBAstor]

Dear Abby,

As the adage goes, we all have a black sheep in the family. I'm pretty sure that there's a corollary of that adage that applies to the audio hobby and everyone has an audiobuddy like this.

I have this close, long time audiobuddy whom I visit frequently (though there's time I have to take breaks). He's very serious about the hobby, retired and listens to his music 10 hours a day.

But the records I bring over to hear in his system almost without fail sound worse than in my system. No it's not just the difference in equipment. No it's not for lack of investment in his system. The records just sound like junk. Though I think we can make an argument that his old Futterman/Crosby Quads/Entechs might have been the highlight of his audio journey. Like today I brought a copy of the reissue of Charlie Byrd Crystal Clear D2D over. Yesterday, it sounded incredible on my system. Same goes to for the reissue of Witches Brew. Today in his system the LPs sound totally veiled and muddy on his table and system. Nor was I the only person who commented on the sound.

Now I'm not asking the records sound like they do in my system. But one should be able to tell and differentiate no matter the system the good from bad LPs. But what perplexes me the most is that my audiobuddy is simply unwilling to accept that it's his system and not the LP. Oh the LP sucks. No XXXX you should hear it in my system.

Part of the problem is that he is always futzing with things. Just when you think his system sounds good, you come over the next weekend and find he's changed something and the system sounds worse. Or there's the inevitable call or email that this NOS tube that he tried died or was NOC. Or something else in the system was wrong.

Color me perplexed.

[Bill Hart]

Dear Abby,

As the adage goes, we all have a black sheep in the family. I'm pretty sure that there's a corollary of that adage that applies to the audio hobby and everyone has an audiobuddy like this.

I have this close, long time audiobuddy whom I visit frequently (though there's time I have to take breaks). He's very serious about the hobby, retired and listens to his music 10 hours a day.

But the records I bring over to hear in his system almost without fail sound worse than in my system. No it's not just the difference in equipment. No it's not for lack of investment in his system. The records just sound like junk. Though I think we can make an argument that his old Futterman/Crosby Quads/Entechs might have been the highlight of his audio journey. Like today I brought a copy of the reissue of Charlie Byrd Crystal Clear D2D over. Yesterday, it sounded incredible on my system. Same goes to for the reissue of Witches Brew. Today in his system the LPs sound totally veiled and muddy on his table and system. Nor was I the only person who commented on the sound.

Now I'm not asking the records sound like they do in my system. But one should be able to tell and differentiate no matter the system the good from bad LPs. But what perplexes me the most is that my audiobuddy is simply unwilling to accept that it's his system and not the LP. Oh the LP sucks. No XXXX you should hear it in my system.

Part of the problem is that he is always futzing with things. Just when you think his system sounds good, you come over the next weekend and find he's changed something and the system sounds worse. Or there's the inevitable call or email that this NOS tube that he tried died or was NOC. Or something else in the system was wrong.

Color me perplexed.

Dear Perplexed: It is not uncommon for people to have different perspectives, on love, life and the pursuit of audio happiness. In writing this column for 89 years, having died, and having someone else use my pseudonym as the author, I can tell you that perspective matters. The question you have to ask is "why do you care about your audio buddy's system more than what your ears tell you?" For example, if your husband or wife were cheating on you, I'd know what to tell you. If your kid was a drunk, drug addicted moron going to a fancy college that you can't afford, I'd know what to tell you. If you weren't sure if you were happy living as a man, I'd know what to tell you. But, audio neurosis? That is some deep, complex stuff that I wouldn't pretend to give advice about: you'd only hate me if I told you the truth. Junk the stupid D2D record- the only thing good about it is that drum solo, and how many times can you listen to that?
I also wonder if your audio buddy is an imaginary friend. Are you really asking this question about yourself? Try a more sane hobby. Snow boarding on active volcanos is good for core strength and mental acuity; so is shark spear fishing or alligator wrestling.

[Dre_J]

My sides are splitting! That was hilarious.

[Rob]

A+

[BadBob]

Ha, Nice one Abby! 🤡

[1morerecord2clean]

Myles,

have you ever heard his system and liked it or does it always sound bad?

[MylesBAstor]

Myles,

have you ever heard his system and liked it or does it always sound bad?

To sum it up, his system is possessed. No matter what he does, the system always sound the worst on Sundays when we come over. Something with all the people being home.

It has sounded good on rare occasion. But more in the past than the present. It did sound pretty good a month ago but then he had to go and change the speaker cables, etc.

[1morerecord2clean]

On rare occasion? Sounds like you have masochistic tendencies.🙃If I expect an Audiophile friend over my philosophy is to do absolutely nothing to the system and I mean Nothing! If your friend keeps swapping out equipment shortly before you arrive can the system be broken in or warm?

[MylesBAstor]

No more changing things during the week after I leave.

[Rob]

To sum it up, his system is possessed. No matter what he does, the system always sound the worst on Sundays when we come over. Something with all the people being home.

It has sounded good on rare occasion. But more in the past than the present. It did sound pretty good a month ago but then he had to go and change the speaker cables, etc.

by comparison the Magico S5 is pretty dynamic and gives up little to nothing to 'stats in delicate shading, mirco dynamics and resolution. IMHO, Quad 63s are boring and will put you to sleep. I've also had the Crosby modded 63 pros - more of the same (and its internally wired with miles of MIT cable - yuck!). 63s will sound rolled off and kinda lackluster with a lot of tube amps prob more so with an OTL (I know that last comment wont sit well with some). I'm assuming this is a true tale, yes?

[MylesBAstor]

Yes the names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Alrainbow]

Well if he is on these froruns he damn well knows now. So this leaves me to its you were posting about !!
Myles could it be Facebook or our melting political system
causing this issue lol. I posted many times my mood greeatly effects how much I enjoy or not enjoy
while warm matters my mood matter much more. Just a thought

[MylesBAstor]

Or then there's the other audiobuddy who totally dismisses anything you buy as crap. Or who needs it? Or whatever I have is just as good. Then when they buy the product two years later, it's the best thing since sliced bread.

[Alrainbow]

Lol this happens with cars and furniture too.
You need to care less of others views and more of your own. We all have views but our own is most important.
Askiig for advise or listnejing to others is good but to do as they say as gospel is not for me anyway.

[mep]

Or then there's the other audiobuddy who totally dismisses anything you buy as crap. Or who needs it? Or whatever I have is just as good. Then when they buy the product two years later, it's the best thing since sliced bread.

We have probably all known "that guy." If they don't own it, it's junk. As for your friend with the crappy system, he sounds helpless and hopeless. You can't help people who don't want to be helped. I would tell him that from now on you can only visit him on leap years.

[JackD201]

Quads are great, really great... for what they do great. I have a hard time imagining any quad system would do justice to music with lots of percussion at levels we have become accustomed to with dynamic loudspeakers.