Acquiring an awesome system, but how?

Also, I have found that all one make cabling (phono, digital, ic, pcs, with one type of power conditioner) help retain that 'synergy' that you have achieved after so much hard work. Remember not to screw it up ;-).
Nilthepill

< Also with Nilthepill..

Basically, the less mix'n match equates to less headache (costly mistakes), and most often, better outcomes.

i have in my system, cables from three diffrenet manufacturers. i have reviewed many cable products. interconnects and speaker cables from the same designer are not always consistent in their sonic signature. one cannot generalize.

it is best to be open minded and listen to cables from one manufacturer and then substiute cable products from other manufacturers until one has satisfied his/her idiosyncratic preference.

Agree.. Though my implication of less does not necessarily mean 'all', but more to try minimizing variants best one can. I too coincidently have 'three different makes' in my current set-up. One--pwr cord to pwr generator. One--interconnecting all digital system (4 pwr cords, 3 AES BU, 2 FW). One--for source > pre >amp >speakers (ICs and SC).

Now left unused, stored in cupboards are cables ranging from the heydays--Magnans, NBS, Older Siltech to quite recent top-line of Synergistic, Nordost and quite a few more to name. These I considered as one costly mistake I made along my journey--ever trying mixing and matching gears and speakers and tuning them with various cables for the last 25-30yrs--well it's more of a tuition fee I guess.

12-29-08: Mrtennis
what constitutes audio nirvana for one maybe a disaster for another.

i will share for you what for me is a great listening experience.

it's simple. i want to play one recording after another and never want to leave the room or complain about a bad recording. this means a stereo system has to be somewhat euphonic in its coloration. somewhat attenuated in the upper midrange/lower treble and also somewhat elevated in the upper bass/lower mid range. i can't specify the "somewhat".

in order to achieve the ability to listen without complaints, i would need a tube-based stereo system and panel speakers.

i would start with a conrad johnson mv 125 amp and a pair of say, tympany 1ds, or stacked original quads, or the apogee duetta signature.

preamp might be tricky, but the original nobis proteus or mac c22 would suffice.

if you are playing cds and insist on current generation, maybe an amr 77 or audio research ref 7.

cables are another challenge. a bit of listening would be recommended.

again the key for me is not to be concerned about lost resolution but rather to be able to experience all varities of recording quality and still remain in my listening chair and let the music play.
Mrtennis

< Mrtennis,
I agree with your first post here to some extent--that is TOP priority of a system is to be able to deliver a great listening experience and musical enjoyment regardless the quality of recordings.

However, where during some period of time when my system (say--accurate and neutrally set-up) were good for certain types of music/recordings (audiophile varieties), they could be almost unlistenable on many others (most popular releases). Conversely, when I had them tuned-in for the more popular ones to be listenable (say--adding euphonic touches to ease off edge, brittleness and a little boost in midbass and lower mid warmth), they tended to obscure and somewhat not resolving enough for the better ones. Hence, the never ending search for that ideally elusive nirvana I found to be both time consuming and costly. I was almost burned out and on the brink of frustration on board this merry-go-round!

Having been through that learning curve, in system building line up, I would now first and foremost go for the most neutral/accurate gears I can possibly find. Quite recently, with the aid/addition of an excellent unit such as the FMA268 pre-amp with their built-in 'linearizer' section, basically solved most problems--hence I can have my cake and eat it too! As you very well put it--to have a great listening experience, one that's without complain and be able to fully enjoy ALL varieties of recordings (but without loss of resolution here). It made previously unlistenable recordings sound great (almost as good as their audiophile counterparts), while making the great ones sounded even better--unreal!

Thus, throughout my journey, this has been the most worthwhile and sensible move I've made, to go neutral and have a quality linearizer at hand for the fine tuning works (instead of using cables or through endless equipments swapping!). Just thought of sharing it here since it somehow relates to this thread--towards building an awesome system. Accuphase and Cello are two other brands that I know of to make units running on basic similar principle (ability to correct bad recordings whilst maintaining fidelity). Though not cheap, they will certainly outweigh your other potential costs in the longer run.

hi bvdiman:

it seems that you are using some kind of equalization, or way of voicing your stereo system when listening to problem recordings.

suppose you could not access a "linearizer", would you then try to set up as color-free stereo system as possible, or live with a euphonic, softe sounding stereo system which loses some resolution and focus ?