Reader's Letter: Mistaken enjoyment?
Editor: I was led astray by my BorderPatrol DAC. Making stacks of old CDs sound musical was irresistible. I even installed an old Mullard EZ80 in the DAC to increase my pleasure. After reading John Atkinson's measurements of the BorderPatrol in the September issue (pp.75–80), my belief that a DAC should be making these CDs sound good wavered. I don't understand his measurements and charts, but they must be more valid than what I hear with my tired old ears.
Then came Jon Iverson's Follow-Up review of the BorderPatrol DAC in November (p.141). His review has saved me from my mistaken enjoyment. I listen primarily to classical music. The beautiful sound of strings that I hear at live concerts is a mistake made by my brain analyzing signals from my ears. Those strings should sound steely. I have returned to my Benchmark DAC and the true, unpleasant sound of CDs and steely strings. When I go to a concert next week, I will try to mentally adjust what my brain is telling me. I hope that my time with my Benchmark will prepare me.
I have enlisted my wife to enforce my Benchmark listening and to keep me away from my sinful vinyl. I have also told her that her BorderPatrol enjoyment is a mistake. She doesn't seem to believe me. She told me her audiological hearing tests at high frequencies are superior to mine. I told her strings are really steely, and not what she is hearing.
I think Steve Guttenberg, "The Audiophiliac," should bear some blame for my departure from the road of true sound. I heard his comments on the BorderPatrol after my purchase, but his praise strengthened my mistaken enjoyment.—Duane Jackson
dajackson1@mindspring.com
dajackson1@mindspring.com
