Point to point wiring.

Pbb,

On the other hand, I heard some very reasonably priced systems that included what you would consider laughable wire that sounded amazingly good to me. (A system consisting of Naim electronics and Spendor speakers comes to mind, another that was all Rega is also remembered fondly

Not only do I agree economical systems can sound good, I am responsible for two guys in my audio group staying on target for their high end budget audio systems.

Eric had $2200.00 and Robert had $1400.00. Both systems required I assemble CD player, speakers, amplifier, preamp, cables (and on the $2200.00 rig), turntable, arm and cartridge.

Both these systems perform admirably and both came in on budget, thanks to Audiogon. I choose Vandersteen speakers, tube amps and preamps and Home Depot wire for both systems. There are topics on both these systems and I worked hard to make this right, including (in one case) driving 50 miles to pick up the Vandy's to avoid possibility of shipping damage.

Now just in case you think that I have made a 180 degree turn, this is not the case. Once a system reaches the point where all the components are approaching maximum performance level, then specialized cable, AC cords, NOS tubes, isolation feet and many of the other tweaks discussed here become valid.

Platinum spark plugs would be wasted in a Ford Pinto but they are a necessity in many German cars, including Porsche. So, does that mean that testing Platinum spark plugs in a Pinto and getting crappy results prove the part is worthless? No it does not.

If a system is pushed far enough ALL these tweaks matter. Audiogon is for music lovers and home theatre fans and there is room for many opinions. I help people every day with answers to problems that have nothing to do with the components I choose for my own system. I also respond to those who have gone the limit and want answers about equipment at the upper limit.

If you think making fun of ideas that didn't work in your system constitutes fun, then don't be surprised when I come along and challenge you.

Kkursula, I don't understand your comment. I take great offence if your referring to me as Texas millionaire in your reference to Pbb.

Ok,...i am sorry!

Albert, don't you need to settle down a little? No-one even knows what a Pinto is anymore!

Its easy to assume that you are a millionaire since you have such a wacked stereo *and* you live in Dallas, *and* you get a tax write-off on your SUV. Its an innocent enough mistake. Now if you lived in Wisconsin, you would be safe from such assumptions and you could rest at night, knowing you were finally getting enough cheese :)

I suppose I should put in my two bits about handwiring. Its Good. You can control stray capacitance, you can build circuits with custom wiring if need be, servicability, updatability and upgradability are improved. If laid out properly, bandwidth is improved and the stray capcitance caused by layout is of a better quality (a circuit board must be regarded as a form of capacitor- no-one wants to listen to capacitors with a fiberglass dielectric). If done efficiently, it is more reliable, especially if you have hot tubes and tube sockets, and in such cases often not any more expensive. I have more reasons, but I degress. The real reason we are here is to give Albert a hard time.

Pbb, surely you were educated by the Jesuits - Loyola or Brébeuf? I find your sense of logic (especially establishing the premise of an arguement) refreshing.

I rather thinkPBB is antonymous of Jesuit thinking if Jesuit thinking equates to Cartesian thinking.