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.
 
nc42acc said:
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.
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Speakers are the most important then amplifier to drive the load , most signal sources today are more than capable if you get the first two correct maximizing the budget..
 
mep said:
The only thing audiophiles agree on is that their system sounds the best.
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Very true as most all of us have different tastes and what we want our systems to sound like. I have friends whose systems eclipse mine in cost but I would not trade because I prefer the sound I have.

What does puzzle me and still shows you are correct, I've had people go to the shows who have modest systems come home and say they didn't hear anything better than what they have. Really? Although I like my system I have heard gear I'd trade for. Just when it comes to purchasing it's out of my reach.

I think many of us has been down the same path as Tom which explains why we think our system is the best.
 
SPEAKERS! Speakers must work for the room and the listener's musical preferences and tastes. Would you choose the same speakers for classical and heavy metal? Would you put Wilson Maxx or Magico M9 speakers in a bedroom? The only component in my system that would make the most dramatic change at this point would be speakers, not my DAC, amps, pre or any wire.

I have Sound Labs. Before that, Quad preceded by Apogee and Dalquist DQ-10s. If I had switched any of those speakers for music coffins (AKA box speakers) that would have changed my experience much more than switching Krell for Pass Labs.

As the anchor for my system, Sound Labs have guided all the electronics and wires that I now have or will have in the future.
 
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Dizzie said:
SPEAKERS! Speakers must work for the room and the listener's musical preferences and tastes. Would you choose the same speakers for classical and heavy metal? Would you put Wilson Maxx or Magico M9 speakers in a bedroom? The only component in my system that would make the most dramatic change at this point would be speakers, not my DAC, amps, pre or any wire.

I have Sound Labs. Before that, Quad preceded by Apogee and Dalquist DQ-10s. If I had switched any of those speakers for music coffins (AKA box speakers) that would have changed my experience much more than switching Krell for Pass Labs.

As the anchor for my system, Sound Labs have guided all the electronics and wires that I now have or will have in the future.
Click to expand...

I actually do choose the same speaker for all genres. That aside just because the speaker needs to fit the room and according to you a purpose, does that mean you spend the most of your money on it? That was the question.
 
I would go with speakers first. The most I could afford that would work in my space. Then assemble the rest of the system with a balance of front end, amplification and ancillaries (cables, rack, etc.).

Why? Speakers will make the biggest difference. Strategically update front end and amplification as funds allow.
 
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