Glossary of Terms
Posted by: plynnplynn on 15 March 2002
Many of the items discussed in the Forum are of interest to newcomers to the hifi area but the terminology used by contributors can be rather difficult to understand.
In addition there are different interpretations of terms. In order to be helpful to the 'newbie' community - and I include myself in this - I intend to set up a web page which will act as a 'Glossary of Terms'.
I cannot however do this on my own. I ask you regular contributors to spend a bit of time thinking of hifi terms (with perhaps a Naim bias) and also provide a succinct explanation of these terms. The descriptions/meanings of terms can be changed as refinement of the meaning is obtained. I hope you will help.
The terms can be simple from 'pre-amplifier', 'Flatcap', 'mains spur' through to the esoteric including ''flat earth' or 'mullet'.
Who is going to start it off? How about a term from each member starting now.
I will post the web page address asap if this idea gets off the ground.
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by Mike Sae
Good idea Terry,
I've been working on a similar glossary of terms for my site, but for translation from Queen's English > Colonial. For example sheetrock = plasterboard = gyproc, and all the iterations and contexts of "bollocks".
When my schedule clears, I'll be finishing that up, along with all the Naim specific hi-fi terms I can think of. I'll E you then,
best,
mike
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by plynnplynn
The Glossary can be obtained from the link below:
Glossaryweb page
Posted on: 15 March 2002 by plynnplynn
Microphonic is a term I hear used in relation to the NAC72 and NAP140. Can anyone explain this in a form which can be reproduced in a glossary - as well as explain it to me.
Posted on: 16 March 2002 by Not For Me
In this context it means that the electronic components in the amplifier can moving because of external soundwaves from the loudspeakers. Either structure or air borne vibrations can do this.
Some components produce small currents when moved, thus interfering with the purity of the audio signal they are carrying.
This is a bad thing, can is avoided by putting the equipment on a isolating stand away from the source of the sound (the speaker)
DS
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
- Detail
- Inner Detail
- Macro Dynamics
- Micro Dynamics
Peter
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Andrew Randle
Here's some entries I have compiled. Some of the issues raised by Peter Stockwell and Mike Sae are addressed.
Bollocks: A typical flat-earther response to round-earth tendencies.
Boogie-factor: The ability to make one shimmy along, get down and get-on-up like a sex-machine.
Detail: clarity, the ability to resolve fine intricacies of the whole performance.
Dynamics: the ability to resolve low intesity sound in the presence of high intensity sound.
Flat Earth: A philosophy of musical transcription that prioritises the presentation of music in a way that enhances emotional enjoyment. Prioritised attributes include Tune, Timing, Speed and Boogie-Factor.
Inner Detail: refers to a system's ability to resolve small nuances in the tone of a musical instrument and small nuances in the musicianship of a musician.
Macro Dynamics and Micro Dynamics: These concepts are not based in reality. There is only Dynamics (see Dynamics).
Round Earth: A philosophy of audio transcription that prioritises the presentation of audio in a way that enhances cognative recognition. Prioritised attributes include Tone, Soundstaging and Transparency.
Soundstaging: See Bollocks
Speed: The ability of a hi-fi to respond to sudden transients in the music, such as drums and the leading/trailing edge of notes in a controlled manner. Not to be confused with Timing.
Timing: A hi-fi's ability to align all musicians, musical notes and events at correct intervals. Not to be confused with Speed. Timing in a performance may intend to carry drama and emotional and spritual weight.
Tone: See Bollocks.
Transparency: See Bollocks.
Tune: A tuneful hi-fi allows the listener to easily hear a tune and its flow without breaks or collisions with other instruments or musical events. A tune may intend to carry emotional and spritual weight, therefore a tuneful hi-fi will try to convey that emotional and spiritual weight.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by Andrew Randle:_Bollocks_: A typical flat-earther response to round-earth tendencies.
You forgot the
Dog's Bollocks but that's a fine list to chew on. Inner Detail is term I've started to think of as 'mutant round earthism' (TM, Paul Ransom) but your definition gives pause for thought. The nuances that allow us to hear the differences between say, Eric Clapton & B.B. King, isn't it enough to call that detail ... or even transparency ?
Peter
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by seagull
Pace, Rhythm and Timing ? - just a guess I can't find it expanded anywhere on the forum (sse Andrew Randle's post for more explanation.
Glossary, A good idea, long overdue
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Derek Wright
PRaT - Pseudo Realist Audio Terminology
you forgot about VUK
<g>
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by ken c
andrew, good list. what about "scale"? or does that also belong to the bollcoks category. please dont say that because thats the only excuse i have left for upgrading sbl's to sl2's when they come out.
enjoy
ken
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Andrew Randle
Ken,
Scale = Soundstage = Bollocks 
Actually I rate scale as a neutral term, as it can have the effect of "amplifying" the emotion of a performance. Also there are the flat-earth connotations too.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
quote:
Originally posted by Andrew Randle:
Ken,Scale = Soundstage = Bollocks
Actually I rate scale as a neutral term, as it can have the effect of "amplifying" the emotion of a performance. Also there are the flat-earth connotations too.
Ok, so are Slam & Scale related ?, I know that Slim & Slam are related ...
Peter
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Andrew Randle
P.S. this is a living list. There are other definitions that could be included such as PRaT, Mullet, Boybander, Mana, FEP, REP, Non-Ferrous (Weenie Boy) and Snappy.
Andrew
Andrew Randle
Currently in the "Linn Binn"
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Peter Stockwell
that's got me...
Mullet is the hardest concept to grasp, I think I was here two months before I had a clue.
There's also arc-welder that's sometimes used to describe those hunking american hifi radiators like Krell.
Peter
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by ken c
quote:
Originally posted by Andrew Randle:
Ken,Scale = Soundstage = Bollocks
enjoy
ken
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by herm
vuk?vuk means funny man. Lives in a cloud of knowing, waiting for Fürtwänglers second cöming.
Herman
Posted on: 19 March 2002 by Mike Sae
How about
Dog's Bollocks: aka Dog's Danglies see Boogie-Factor, Dynamics, Speed, Timing and Tune.
