The best way to design an audio system.


What is the best way to design and assemble a high-end audio system?

Should you first adopt a system philosophy?

Or should you just pick out a component you really like and build a system around it?

These seem to be the 2 most popular methods of assembling systems that I have read here on the Audiogon forums. Of course, I have my own thoughts on this subject, but I am interested in how everyone else feels about this, and what are the reasons for their opinions. Considering that we have alot of new people on the Audiogon these days, it may be helpful for them to read about how the "old timers" and "experts" configure their systems and why.
twl
Rives, my list of "projects" is never ending. As such, i've simply been limiting myself to logging on AFTER i've made a reasonable amount of progress on something that i wanted to get accomplished. My problem, probably like many of you, is that once i get planted in front of this "one eyed monster", i have a hard time tearing myself away from it.

As was noted ( i think by Zaikesman ), it is just too hard to go "cold turkey" : ) Sean
>
Sean you're right - even Kelly couldn't do it :)
& he really tried; even declared himself officially outta here, & still he can't keep his fingers off the keyboard
If you start with a large and diverse collection of "great" music, then within reason, whatever else follows is gravy. Which is not imply that people don't have very strong opinions about gravy.
Wally an Sean seem to have it right.But flexiblity for whenever the inevitable urge to chenge out tsuff is important.I would like to get more efficient speakers and go with a smaller,more refined amp than my 6L6 based Mesa baron.But the fact that it's twelve ouput tubes can be switched to triode/pentode in thirds allowing very different sound and power (90/120/150 wpc) makes me loathe to give it up for just when i have found the 104 db sens "Horns of my dreams", a deal that can't be past up on some insensitve speakers with diffcult loads will inevitably be offered up.I therefore end up holding on to stuff longer thnI should but that pisses me off too.Whatever i do I remeber that Murphy was an optomistic 'Phile.
Sugarbrie: I knew you were kidding to some degree--so was I. I guess satirical comments don't always come across that way in text only.