What Comes First????

nc42acc

nc42acc

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So I subscribe to Paul McGowans Youtube channel. I know he can be polarizing and his channel is self serving but regardless a good ambassador to high end audio.
One of his recent videos was a question about what piece should you place the majority of your funds in a high end system. Should it be the source or the speakers? There is the GIGO (garbage in garage out) camp and the if the speakers cannot reproduce the music you are missing all the nuances camp. I have been down both roads to this frustrating hobby. Great to hear stories on where and how you landed to your current system and the path you took.
 
My approach is the entire chain should be comparable in quality. With that being said the source is most important in my approach as if anything is lost at the source nothing you can do downstream will allow you to hear that lost information. Once you've done your best at the source then you want to maintain that signal throughout the system until it reaches your ears. This includes treated your room for those who are about to say that's the main thing.
 
IMO, unless you are looking for stand mounts, speakers are likely the most expensive and difficult to move components. I think they arguably make a bigger difference in SQ than comparable quality source components. So for me, speakers first, but take the time to get it right.
 
This concept has been ‘in the mix’ for decades without resolution. I think it’s a flawed way to look at how to build an awesome system. It completely ignores synergy, that elusive sauce that turns good into great.

You asked how I ended up with I have. It took many years for me to develop my personal ‘house curve’ and then find gear to fit it. A lot of gear the pundits said I should love I didn’t like at all.

It took a lot of iteration around every piece of the system. Over the years I went through a dozen different speakers, half a dozen arm/cartridge combos, half a dozen DAC’s, and a bunch of amp/preamp combos.

I’m happy with what I have, and while there are some aspirational products I’d love to own, I’m in no hurry to do so.
 
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