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Importance list (Read 94 times)
Donnie
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Importance list
Today at 16:20:15
 
So where does one spend his money in buying a decent stereo system?
I'm thinking about what to tell someone just starting out, not to you all wacked out junkies!

I've seen these types of lists before but of course they varied by whatever the list maker was trying to sell at the time.

I know that some people swear that you spend a large amount on source equipment, you know, garbage in-garbage out. Others swear on the amplification gear, tube over SS or the other way around.
Of course I'm a big proponent of speakers, because changing speakers around seems to make the biggest change to me, but again, I'm a speaker guy.

I'll throw my numbers out there, take them as they are, just my crappy opinion.
25% front end, 40% speakers. 30% amplification, and 5% of cables and such.
Yeah I know that I didn't have any power stuff or magic boxes etc. I consider those things as more advanced stuff that people add as they fall further on down the bottomless pit that is audiophilia.

So tell me what I got wrong, I'm sure that everyone has a different take on this.
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Owner of the infamous RED TORII and Dan the Redheaded Amp
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Lon
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Philip K. Dick

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Re: Importance list
Reply #1 - Today at 16:31:45
 
My take is: it's important to have a great amplification to speaker foundation. And sources become increasingly more important after that, the right foundation of amp and speakers will show you so much that is wonderful--and not so wonderful--in source components. After that it's fine tuning. Clean electric, isolation control, cabling--all became important to me once I got the amp-speaker and component foundation selected and perfected.

Percentage. . . there are so many variables (new, used, vintage, SOTA and combinations etc.) that I won't throw out numbers.

To a new listener/enthusiast an important question or three is/are: tube or solid state, vintage or new production, digital or analog or both, and perhaps patient or impatient.

Also: what music one predominantly will listen to will influence choices. I'd like to say that a great system will treat any genre with equivalent excellence, but in the world of practical selection and daily use a system that has one dancing and head banging to rock or other amplified material is one that may not showcase classical, folk or jazz etc. in the best light, and vice versa. (Just my experience, I'm beginning to realize this more as time passes). Keeping in mind what will go in and come out of the system can help pinpoint the system one wants and needs.
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armstdav
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Idaho Falls, ID
Re: Importance list
Reply #2 - Today at 19:58:32
 
@Donnie, your percentages are roughly where my system is at, if you use the retail prices of all my gear. The one thing that throws it off is because I'm primarily vinyl I invested in a great phono preamp, so that skews the front end percentage higher. In terms of contribution to the system, worth every penny.

I too changed speakers a lot until the current Zu Druid Vs. I can't imagine replacing them.
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MM
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Re: Importance list
Reply #3 - Today at 20:01:21
 
My first instinct is 33-33-33% source-amp-speakers, but then I think of a close friend of mine that has a Stanton DJ turntable, a Denon consumer grade receiver, and Polk T50 towers. His system sounds amazing. He spent less than a grand on all of it, about an equal amount on DIY room treatment, and set his room up correctly.

My advice to someone starting out in the hobby is not to get caught up in the hype and FOMO. Give yourself a budget, spend half of it on getting your room set up right, and the other half on the best gear you can afford from the used market. Then enjoy the music.
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HockessinKid
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Re: Importance list
Reply #4 - Today at 20:24:49
 
I'm going to break with the crowd a bit. To me the single most important thing to a great listening experience is a well treated room that handles the nasties. Beyond that it's importance the components in your system work well together (synergy) to deliver good tonalty and musical accuracy to your ears. This means matching your amplifier power output to the sensitivity of your speakers, as well as source equipment. Third, if your using a tube preamp and/or amplifier is the selection of those tubes. Don't be shy about inquiring about what others are using. Finally, I highly encourage folks with any kind of system to try out EcoFlow or equivalent home battery power backup units with your amp and source equipment. These units kill any noise in your system and improve sound quality too.

Cheers and happy listening.

HK
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Lon
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Philip K. Dick

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Munson Township, OH
Re: Importance list
Reply #5 - Today at 20:39:09
 
I'd just like to add that I understand the love and "need" for treated rooms, but not everyone can install a system and also install room treatment. I've found many a great system in a treated room, and many a great system in untreated spaces. Either route IMO can have stellar results.
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Hearafter
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“In Tubes We Trust”

Posts: 431
SF Bay Area
Re: Importance list
Reply #6 - Today at 21:45:56
 
Ok this question is very difficult to attach percentages.  So many different individual variables in getting your system sounding how you like it. For me I have 2 systems that have taken 2 different paths that I can share.  Both are equally enjoyable and one system costs 2.5 times $.  First, I don’t include the room since some rooms don’t need or can’t have treatment.  So my percentages assume your room is taken care of to the best of your ability. Also, both of my speakers are DIY which dramatically drives the costs and percentages down.  
             Main System   Second System
Source           44%.             29%
Amplification   36%.             35%
Speakers.             8%.            20%
Power/cables/ 12%.             16%
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