There's A Lot of Truth To This!

[MylesBAstor]

http://www.audioresearch.com/Content.../Hierarchy.pdf

I have certainly experienced more than once. For example, lesser priced cartridges may be better than one thinks because are usually used in inexpensive arms. No question this is true for speakers but what's the first thing they [above ground audio magazines or dealers] tell/advise audiophile's to do to improve the sound of their system? Buy new speakers.

[timztunz]

Good read.

[Rob]

Myles, your point is well taken about sources. I see this particular example differently, it also demonstrates what PSB and Paul Barton can do for $280 retail. Few designers can pull this off Andrew Jones is another. It also goes to show what skillful use of engineering resources can accomplish (using SOTA facilities like the CNRC-NRC).

[Bill Hart]

and, on many of the fora, where that topic of priorities for purchase or upgrade come up, invariably, it is the speaker that wins by a landslide. It's really speaker and amp on one end,
and kind of everything else on the other. How does one become a brand ambassador? Is it an appointed position?

[Rob]

I also see a corollary between audiophiles that seek big and burly high power amps with car guys that seek bragging rights to engine size/Hp. I think much of rationale for this stuff is emotion driven by wants vs needs.

[MylesBAstor]

and, on many of the fora, where that topic of priorities for purchase or upgrade come up, invariably, it is the speaker that wins by a landslide. It's really speaker and amp on one end,
and kind of everything else on the other. How does one become a brand ambassador? Is it an appointed position?

Must be an Italian or millennial thing Bill! 😇

[mep]

I thought it was a great article. I have said before that we have all probably owned components that we didn't know how good they really were because of other issues in the chain.

[Joe Pittman]

I thought it was a great article. I have said before that we have all probably owned components that we didn't know how good they really were because of other issues in the chain.

I think the system is no better than the weakest link in the "chain". Although I have thought that the speaker is the most important in terms of hierarchy for many years now, there are good arguments for the opposite view about sources. In the end, everything is important. You can't have a great system without great speakers AND great sources... You need great everything... You want no compromises.

[MylesBAstor]

All things being equal, one approach is to spend a good percentage of the budget on speakers. Then one can improve the upstream components over time. When that's done, you've maximized the speaker's potential and are ready to move onto the next set of speakers. It is interesting when you look at the system, an argument can be made that the the speakers are the most limited component (FR, resolution, dynamics, etc.). Thus speaker upgrades can if done correctly really produce big sonic changes.

What sort of "rough" percentages should be allotted to individual components in the chain?

[cpp]

Its a never ending cycle of cash going somewhere and to someone if you let. Sooner or later you just have to stop and actually listen and enjoy what your hearing and buy music instead of gear...

[siddh]

Hi Chris....I have more times than I can remember thought the end of the road had arrived, only to read of a new/improved tweak, or highly reviewed component/accessory that had me reach into money fold.
I have noticed some of the most revered mega-system owners continue to seek out that additional squeeze.
I feel my system has reached a level well beyond anything imagined when I first entered the endless endeavor. Yet, I often read the blogs and audio show results; attend Axpona, often tempted to upgrade.

The expansion of lp purchases is an issue all it's own...another kind of addiction.

[timztunz]

What sort of "rough" percentages should be allotted to individual components in the chain?

Interesting question, and what they "should" be, I haven't a clue. But it was an interesting exercise none the less, when I broke my own reference system down that way. Some of it is a little surprising but here it is (based on retail prices):
13.3% - Amplification
6.7% - Line Stage
7.3% - Phono Stage
20.6% - Analog Source(s)
10.2% - Digital Source(s)
12.6% - Speakers
24.0% - Power Conditioning, Cords & Cables
5.2% - Isolation, Racks & Storage

[cpp]

Some great sounds can come from equipment that doesn't cost more than a person makes in a mouth,. It all depends on how to match up your equipment.

[Bruce B]

What's the saying? You can put lipstick on a pig......

[Bill Hart]

All things being equal, one approach is to spend a good percentage of the budget on speakers. Then one can improve the upstream components over time. When that's done, you've maximized the speaker's potential and are ready to move onto the next set of speakers. It is interesting when you look at the system, an argument can be made that the the speakers are the most limited component (FR, resolution, dynamics, etc.). Thus speaker upgrades can if done correctly really produce big sonic changes.

What sort of "rough" percentages should be allotted to individual components in the chain?

I don't buy into priorities and formulae for this. You could argue it any way you want, from the Linn-- source first extreme-- to the notion that speakers are the transducers you hear and probably have the highest distortion, thus the most important to get right. I agree with the "weakest link" view, so it comes down to very individual priorities, what someone is starting with (assuming they already have some sort of system above a Sears fold-down record player), and where they plan to go with the system- digital only? phono requires a whole mess of stuff to get right, including a phono stage and arguably, good cable.

[MylesBAstor]

and, on many of the fora, where that topic of priorities for purchase or upgrade come up, invariably, it is the speaker that wins by a landslide. It's really speaker and amp on one end,
and kind of everything else on the other. How does one become a brand ambassador? Is it an appointed position?

From Dave!

"I’ve been representing ARC for so long and seem to do so many things around here that they couldn’t figure out what to call me (to my face) except Brand Ambassador."

[MylesBAstor]

Some great sounds can come from equipment that doesn't cost more than a person makes in a mouth,. It all depends on how to match up your equipment.

Synergy is certainly an important consideration. At any and all price points.