Scott Dolan

Holy shit, you bricked? Have you gotten it up and running yet?

A truly awful analogy, I have to say. Allen was making statements that can be scientifically proven as untrue. So, the options are: let those statements go unchallenged and consumed by others as true, or...don't.

Not if you don't want to. I find no significant difference between it and iOS 9.

It is indeed a well-written piece, CJ. I really love Jarrett solo concerts. I think his Vienna Concert is the apotheosis of his solo work. Though I appreciated your mention of La Scala. That's the only solo Jarrett that my wife really likes. And The Koln Concert still shows up on most "best Jazz albums, ever" lists, as it should. I haven't bought any Jarrett in years, but I have a feeling this one is a must have.

Perfect analogy. And in the audio world it's even more about a bizarre blend of both logic and power of suggestion. Logic dictates that 24 is greater than 16. Power of suggestion stems from that leading you to "actually hear" a difference. A very classic placebo, if there ever was one. Very similar to herbal supplements. You're told what xxxxx can do, and how it will effect you physically and mentally. Find all these "sources" online to back these claims. Maybe read a book by Dr. Andrew Weil. It will be nearly impossible for you to NOT feel all the benefits you were told you'd feel. It's human nature. We don't mind bullshitting ourselves as long as it is for what we perceive are positive reasons.

I am listening. And I'm enjoying watching you get your ass handed to you by Jim. He's supplying actual evidence, while you're relying on what you tricked yourself into hearing. Happens ALL the time in the audio world. It's science vs religion. Guess which one of those is actually proven?

Real world experience? You mean people that have participated is double blind studies? Outside of that you have nothing but perception. The mind and ears have an uncanny knack for fooling the hell out of us. And the kind of folks who peddle bullshit like $100 per ft speaker cable thank God daily for that. What Jim posted earlier wasn't "theory".

Great audiophool line. Right up there with "I have excellent hearing", and "perhaps your system isn't resolving enough" as an arrogant argument for faith over science.

Fair enough. I guess my hang up is that confirmation bias relies on cherry picked external information, whereas expectation bias is essentially bullshitting yourself into believing something. In this situation: Expectation bias = I believe 24bit is superior to 16bit, therefore when I did an A->B test I indeed heard a difference. Confirmation bias = I've read blogs from other people who reported hearing a notable difference between 24 and 16bit, therefore my own feelings on the matter have been confirmed.

Jim, that's great stuff. But did you mean to say expectation bias, not confirmation bias?

I was just explaining the phenomenon to you, Allen. it's really no different than most things in the audio world. 24bit > 16bit = 24 bit is sonically superior to 16 bit. Kind of like 12AWG speaker cable "sounds" better than 16AWG speaker cable. Not necessarily. Unless you're dealing in 50ft runs or longer... Well, as Jim (someone I do believe has at least a passing experience in recording and production) has tried to explain to you... 24bit > 16bit? Not necessarily.

Two words: expectation bias.

No surprise the joke was lost on you.

*sets glass down and quietly walks away*

As much of an Apple guy that I am, I will say this: while their hardware is impeccable, their software usually ranges from partially acceptable, to downright infuriating. I'm in an abusive relationship with iTunes, but we stay together for the kids. Well that, and I couldn't play my library through my main system in the living room without it...

Oh! Nearly missed it. I hope it was a great day for you, Tim. I also hope your health is in peak form!

Hope it's a great B-Day, Paul!

And as a quick aside, I just went from Way Out West to Painter's Spring from William Parker's trio with Daniel Carter and Hamid Drake. Recorded in 2000, and sonically sounds laughable to Way Out West. Lesser labels, and all those excuses, but c'mon. 43 years of technological advances says hello.

You know what's really odd, Moosely? As huge a Coltrane fan as I am (my son's middle name nonetheless), I still just don't "get" this one. Like Bitches Brew, I still return to it every now and then hoping for that breakthrough moment, but it simply never comes. Is there anything in particular that made it finally pop for you that you can put into words? It might help me...

Yes, the sonic quality of the recording is a revelation, especially for 1957. Brown's bass is very "present" in the mix. Something not exactly common during that era. I've only listened to it through my cans and can report that sonically the digital transfer is absolutely flawless. At the middling/loud but comfortable volumn I keep my headphone amp set to, I hear zero tape hiss. And while there is reverb present, you are right that it isn't excessive. They simply added a little to Rollins on the left channel to denote space. Definitely an expert recording, and an audiopile showcase.

I'm thankful for you giving me a nudge! Actually have it paying right now. It's amazing how advanced Rollins sounded for 1957 while Coltrane still rolling through "sheets of sound". I can't think of anything Coltrane did in '57 that was even close to this. And possibly nothing as a leader until...what? 1959, maybe? And not Giants Steps, but rather Coltrane Jazz which is far superior, IMO.

Excellent! Yeah, India just opened the floodgates for me. It led me to my enormous Coltrane collection, Dolphy, Ornette, Cecil, then eventually to the William Parker circle of friends, and even more recently to European style free improvisation. Admittedly I don't listen to it nearly as much as I did years ago when it was pretty much the only form I listened to, but it still remains one of the most important points in my music listening history. Matter of fact, I was just listening to the second India on disc 4 of the Vanguard box set. That is far and away my favorite version, with Bushell playing that awesome Oboe intro!

Really?! I had no idea! That's really cool. What are the chances?

Very cool! I was in my mid 20's when I went through my experience with India. It's interesting how my transformation happened in real time, whereas yours happen by way of seperation. But thankfully, it happened. The whys and timeframes are inconsequential. Did you continue down the Free Jazz road afterwards?

You nailed with your last sentence. Because you said so! It was semi-annoying when people were trying to parse the definition of album earlier in the thread. I really don't care if it's a bargin bin best of, if it's one of your favorites, it's one of your favorites! Great list, BTW.