Is it just me? .... (sound quality)

[stonedragon]

It doubt that Phantom only shines with some music. This would mean that Phantom cannot reproduce some kinds music as good as other genres. In my opinion, Phantom is just doing what it should: reproduction of whatever music it is feed with.
I have listened to all sorts of music and to me there is only one thing clear: some recordings sound better than other.

There's stereo albums with a very detailed, wide and clear image. And there are recordings that sound dull, deformed or like they are behind some thick curtain.
There's even some very nice old recordings (even 78rpm or mono) that hiss and crack, but still give a nice atmosphere. But even some modern digital recordings sound awful. With pumped up bass or ever changing channel separation.
Some full orchestral music shines, while other just doesn't sound as good. Same accounts for vocal, rock, pop, electronic music.

It is more clear to me than ever before that the quality of the recording can be the weak bracelet in the chain. But it's definitely not Phantom.

I completely agree with all of this.

The difference in quality between different versions is often so much greater than between competant hifi systems it is not funny. Being obsessive about the SQ of the hifi is often a bit pointless for classical recordings!

That was exactly my point from page 1 of this thread.

Some recordings sound great and others terrible. And like others said, I know this time its not the equipment. My Phantoms sound better than my B&W Diamonds ever could. Period. And yet, some classical music still sound flat on the Phantoms.

When this thread started I decided to listen to Crown Imperial from a new recording I have just bought. BOOM!! It was fantastic. I was left scratching my head as to why anybody could say the Phantoms are not good for classical music. Yet the same piece on a different recording was a dull as ditch water. So although my experiment is scientific proof of anything, I'm sure the recording has a lot to do with the perceived sound quality. As an old proverbs states: "you can't make a silk purse out of a sows ear"