Mr. Diego from Italy is a music passionate tout-court. He is an audiophile, a bass player and a writer on the subject. He is also a professional in the medical industry (ophtamologist, who manage a dedicated center of cornea transplant, and international researcher). Proud owner of a Solidsteel S5-5 Hi-Fi Rack and a pair of iconic SS Series Speaker Stands he gave us this precious contribute.
- Mr Diego, how did you become passionate about high fidelity?
I fell in love with high fidelity because I started playing the guitar, and writing song lyrics. I bought 33s, without having a chance to listen to them (I had no money for a system), and I started visit a school friend who had a good quality stereo. Since then, the passion for music and friendship has never abandoned us. Those who play, and therefore love live music, somehow feel the need to reproduce the same emotions at home, and the world of high fidelity is a way to do it.
However, I believe that an audiophile is also a person who loves things well done, quality-wise, those that can be repaired when they break, and that can be perfected by time. Somehow you feel part of a somewhat special community.
- Describe your Hi-Fi/ AV System and tell us more about your components. Is there something from your equipment that you would never substitute?
My system consists of a Primare D20 CD player, B&W Matrix 805 speakers, Primare I21 integrated, Pro-Ject X-Tension-10 turntable with Ortofon MC Quintet Red cartridge, Ambridge Audio Alva Duo Pre Phono, Oehlbach cables, Mobile and supports Solidsteel S5-5 and Solidsteel SS-6. In addition, I have a Mark Bass Micromark Amp for practicing the electric bass, and I listen to radio with Model One from Tivoli.
I am attached to things, but every now and then I like to change if I have the feeling that I can improve the overall result. Right now, I wouldn’t change the turntable (just bought), the radio (because it sounds like a radio should sound, if you see what I mean), the rack and stands, which I recently bought (and the “neutrality” that they added to the sound of my system “thrilled me”).
- What is your favorite music genre? Which are your reference albums you generally choose from for “testing” your system?
Musically I’m omnivorous – I play country-rock and blues-rock though. If I have to test a system, I use Neil Young acoustic records (such as “Comes a Time”), any Eagles record, and Nick Cave records, especially the latest ones. They don’t have to do with what I play, but I love it.
First, in order to get my ears warmed up, a bit of piano (any Keith Jarreth record, and a few pieces by Jaco Pastorius).
- Which is your favorite “moment” of the day for listening to music with your audio system?
I don’t have a particular moment. Any situation where I can listen without doing anything else is ideal.
- Which audio format do you listen most? Digital or Analogic? Can you tell us why?
I like them both for different reasons. If I am nervous, tense, or want “volume”, the dynamics of the digital format are irreplaceable. In the other moments, the analog sound adds a warmth, a “natural imperfection”, a nostalgia that remain unsurpassable. Without neglecting the pleasure of opening a 33 rpm, leafing through the booklet, putting the record on the platter etc.
- When did you first hear about Solidsteel?
About six months ago, leafing through a magazine I hadn’t bought for a while.
- In which terms have you noticed benefits in using Solidsteel products? (Audio quality, Design, smart components positioning) What would you recommend to other music lovers?
The advantages in terms of modularity and positioning were immediately evident, and I owe them to the Solidsteel technical staff who assisted me before the purchase. What surprised me was the sound performance. The speakers sound better and have a more neutral tone, which I really appreciate. With records, I can turn up the volume, without triggering annoying vibrations. I would also say that I hear some details better, especially in the high frequencies.
- Considering your attention for any aspect connected to your components, their proper position and the music room ambience, which advice do you feel to give for those who are approaching the Hi-Fi world? What is “essential” in creating a first audio system?
A very difficult and very personal question. I did things step by step. I remember when I bought the first integrated amplifier, and only two years later I had the chance to buy the rest to make up my first system. In any case, although it is a world of emotions, I would advise against emotional purchases, based on hasty decisions. I would recommend: 1) reading a couple of industry magazines for a few months; 2) identify a specific retailer (music is a serious matter: those who sell hi-fi’s competently do not sell appliances or other amenities), and sometimes go and speak with them), 3) try to design a balanced system as there is a simple rule to follow: the overall quality will not be higher than that of the worst component, so it is useless to overbalance in favour of one component, and penalize another. I would also try to think about the listening environment: if I aim for personal listening, and I am lucky enough to have a studio, it will be important to calibrate the system in this sense.
- What’s your feedback about emotions in music? Do you like attending music concerts, live shows and events?
I love playing, and I love concerts, both playing and attending them. Like I said, high fidelity is the intimate extension, in a more personal and domestic dimension, of these emotions.
- Suggest three music albums that we absolutely can’t miss.
Eagles – Hotel California
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Push the Sky Away
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
Neil Young – Comes a time
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
The Clash – London Calling
(Solidsteel does not own any right on this album cover)
Mr. Diego deals with music and literature. In 2003 he published “Retropensieri”, a collection of poems, stories and songs with Dimarte (now Motorcycle Mama), a band in which he plays bass guitar (in 1998 they self-produced an album “The West Tribute”). From 2012 he plays also with iDox, an American band (the played six times in various US cities). He also published for the collection of poems and stories Cose che non accadono mai (2006): “La seduzione dell’istante” (2008), Un silenzio di buona qualità (2011) and novels “Il senso dell’anomalia” (2014 and 2017) e “La descrizione della bellezza” (2017). The next novel “La struttura del giallo e del nero” will be released during fall 2021.
