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The bottom line, IMO: Don’t make decisions based on generalities.
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Re the last sentence, the listener’s preference for deep bass extension and the ability to handle recordings having very wide dynamic range (especially in terms of being able to cleanly reproduce brief high volume dynamic peaks, such as frequently occur in many classical symphonic recordings that have been engineered with minimal or no dynamic compression), can dramatically influence the cost of speakers, for a given level of quality. My own answer, expressed in general terms, is that a chain is as strong as its weakest link, wherever that link may happen to be located in a particular system.Īnd more specifically my own perspective leans in the direction of "speakers first," but to a greater or lesser degree depending on how "important" is defined (especially the degree to which price is reflected in that definition), and depending on whether the source is analog or digital, and depending on the degree to which the particular listener values deep bass extension and the ability of the system to handle recordings having particularly wide dynamic range. Others will say the preamp, contending that it is "the heart of the system." Some will say the speakers, because in general they (and their interaction with the room) arguably make the biggest difference in the character of the sound that is heard. I dispute that rationale, for two reasons:ġ)That logic ignores the DEGREE to which different types of components may have shortcomings.Ģ)The source can’t compensate for the shortcomings of the downstream components either. Some will say the source is most important, because its shortcomings cannot be compensated for by any of the downstream components. Here is a prior thread in which this question was discussed at length:ĭo not expect any consensus among the answers which will be provided, or among the answers that have been provided about similar questions that were asked in the past. We now return you to our regularly scheduled misinformation. If, and its a very important if, sound quality really is what you want. Within which everything should perform very nearly equally well. Which is what you will have if you follow the advice to put all your money into a source- or speakers, or any other component for that matter. Pretty sure you will find they all measure the same: zero.
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Measure the sound output without speakers, without source. Just try and play your system without a power cord. Everything either contributes or detracts, and no one single component is any more or less important than any other."īut hey, don't take my word for it. Please see and read the description wherein it says: "The System is built around the philosophy that everything matters. Which is the most important part of a stereo system? Do what you will to your setup, then move into an adjacent room and see how things sound. I employ what Jim Thiel of Thiel Audio once suggested as a method of sussing things out - the "other room" application. Yes, experimenting with different amps and preamps and whatnot is fun - and expensive - but moving things around a little or a lot has substantial effect on everything.
Parts of a stereo portable#
I bought an Astell & Kern portable player.Īn earlier post here mentioned the room - and that is spot-on. The reviews were stellar, the manufacturer is very highly regarded in the biz. Another gent and myself were standing there listening to the same music and we had very different opinions. For example, I have auditioned Focal loudspeakers on many different occasions and.I just don't like 'em.The last time I was able to listen to them was at the former location of Stereo Exchange in NYC. Everything else is secondary.Īll of appreciating hi fidelity is entirely subjective regardless of equipment.