A frank discussion about accuracy, with Stereophile's Herb Reichert

Steve and Herb have these sorts of conversations all the time, and with this one you're privy to their banter.

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[SteveGuttenbergAudiophiliac]

OK, I will stop using virtual backgrounds in these interviews soon, but I have a few interviews I already shot that have annoying backgrounds. After that, just my messy apartment!

[woohunter]

I gave up “accuracy” for good, “fun” sound a long time ago. Flat is boring, love my horns!

[LinearTubeAudio]

Great to hear this discussed by you two with so much experience. I think Herb gets it right when he says, "when it FEELS real." Music is emotion. Herb Reichert is a national treasure. 🙏

[TheMirolab]

There are 3 measurement The Frequency Domain, the Time Domain, and the Amplitude Domain (dynamics). All the focus by the accuracy camp has always been Frequency Response. But you can have a system, that measures perfectly flat frequency response, yet smears the time domain, and compresses the dynamics. A system like this will measure nice, but sound awful. Horns may not be flat in frequency, but they are more accurate in dynamics, and therefore sound more REAL. A panel speaker may have better time domain response, and therefore sound more transparent, but it will compress dynamics, and not measure flat. There are things to admire in all these different designs, and all are compromises.

[odizcvw]

Great discussion. Nelson Pass also describes it well and realistically. He cites measurement as important for obtaining baseline distortion, reliability and repeatability. But his real work comes in by listening and tweaking until he gets the sound he seeks. He has a small cadre of like minded guys who all use the same speakers for listening tests and rely on the group assessment before deciding on the finished product. That thought process appeal to me especially after all the abuse I've seen from the engineering crowd that only reference their scope and chastise those that depend on their ears to assess the sound.
When I tour an audio show, when a room sounds good, I find a First Watt or Pass Labs amp.
I also think that Paul at PS Audio described the tube vs solid state pretty well. As a manufacturer he avoided tubes as they are more prone to service issues. But he relented after a trusted partner forced him to listen to amp prototypes with a tube front end vs solid state. The tube front end could not be beat. The output side of the amp is well suited to great solid state to get the power output.
Personally, I like simple triode designs with great power supply. Then you must deal with the output transformer. This must be either a very big well made device or a good OTL design. I chose the latter.

[Revelator]

Steve, Great interview. As in PLEASE do MORE of these. I learn so much and so very Grateful. Thank you.

[robv]

I enjoyed this video very much today. Good way to start the morning. I’m very late to the Audiophile world and a bottom feeder at best but truly enjoy trying to interpret two guys with so much experience and info. I run Klipsch Forte IIIs with a PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Integrated Tube Amp. I have Amazon HD and an old Sansui SR-737 with Ortofon Bronze cartridge. I never really think about “accuracy” when listening but when I finally got my turntable really dialed in I prefer vinyl all day if it’s a good pressing. That tells me I’m ok with the “distortion” factor and not worried about the last 0. I just enjoy what I have. I do have an old Denon POA-2400A power amp that I had hooked up with a Harman Kardon Citation 25 Preamp that is absolutely brilliant for the $185 bucks total I spent on both used. I’ve kept both for future listening. Thanks again for the video!

[johnlebeau]

Euphony. It has been scorned ever since I started this hobby. Now it is my goal.

[ujean]

One of the best conversations I've heard about hifi notwithstanding Steve's shift in and out of the space-time continuum. Thanks again for sharing these insights. Yes, happiness in listening to music is what it's all about.

[thomaswachter]

Herb is a good, refreshing voice in the community. His experience shows. I love him more in person than in print.

[joergwittenberg]

Thanks for this informative and interesting interview with Herb, very grateful for that, Steve. It's pure pleasure to listen to your wisdom and philosophy about this theme. Thanks a lot, keep up your great work and stay healthy 😊

[chrispicquet]

Great input guys! I have been tweeking horn speakers lately, and having a blast!! I built some 6 1/2 in two ways that centered on piano, female vocals.(hardest to get right!).I achieved it.audiophile friends said"too much!too much info!!" I wanted to hear her sweat while she sang! Herb, your right when describing audiofiles that want everything neat and tidy! Music is never like that live!

[brandonburr]

Hi Steve,

It's always a treat seeing herb talk! This guy relates to folks and has so many stories he could hold a captive audience talking about anything! Keep it up! Thank you herb and steve !

[dalefriesen]

It's good to hear from Herb Reichert again, Steve. I always learn something(s) from your informal conversations.

[HallertauRogue]

I always love hearing what Herb has to say. "Dust particles of information", what a perfect description.

[vaneast]

love this guys... give me passion... give me messy...
give me emotion and musicality! 🚀🚀🛸🛸

[dilbyjones]

These backgrounds are hilarious... I couldn’t stop cracking up. But these conversations are REAL GOLD !

[scottyo]

Yes I miss Herb. Great Zoom meeting, very informative. Thank you!

[chadbarker]

The virtual background is cool man. Feel like I'm on an old acid trip from highschool. Hahahahaha

[Leicaphile]

Accuracy isn't about being a detective and investigating what's in the recording. Accuracy is about pulling more detail out of the music because it sounds better. Isn't it? Steve, excellent discussion!