Which system would you rather have?


Which system would you like better? A system that offers one or two sonic attributes that are truly just "outstanding", but which comes at the expense of another sound category that is subpar, or a more balanced across the board system that may not rise above merely "excellent" in any category, but that does not really fall much below it anywhere either?

(Or would you rather take what's behind door number 3: truly "outstanding" in Every category and all the financial ruin that goes with it...)

I will go first. For myself, I believe the longer I've been at this game maybe the more I've come to appreciate a system that is well balanced across the board - even if nothing in particular is an overwhelming standout, and I may favor it especially so once all the sonic gremlins have been successfully tamed (no small thing that, sometimes). But, in my mind at least, maybe that comes the closest to anything I can point to as my "reference sound" anymore...or short of live music, anyway. Maybe the imbalance that I'm hearing in other systems these days is because most systems are simply "unfinished" and as such are in a state of flux. I'd say we can all appreciate how long it can sometimes take to consider a system truly finished. Maybe mine is unusual in that IS completed, I dunno, but I've now gravitated somehow toward more balanced, even if it must therefore be less spectacular in some particular regard. I find the better balance distracts me less when listening, when any shortcomings are not there to remind me that I'm listening to equipment rather than the performance...and even when no particular attribute, while it can certainly be wonderful to pay attention to in its own right, may actually be working to upstage the others, keeping all the musical facets from being on the same page. More of gestalt thing, perhaps. Or maybe it's just me. Anyone else feel like this??...or disagree??

128x128ivan_nosnibor
Every guy I know with extensive army history has significant hearing losses due to all of the "Boom!" that comes along with the job.  Live concerts and a mediocre stereo system may indeed be indistinguishable in that case...
I have neutral speakers, and from movies, to R&R to jazz and world music, the comment I hear the most are "Wow, these speakers can play everything!"  And they do.  THey don't sound like any particular brand.

After tonal neutrality, lack of compression and distortion, controlled dispersion, and finally low energy storage in the mid/treble units. :)

Best,


Erik
Well Ivan, if I could afford financial ruin, I would go for door '3'. Since this is not possible for me I take door '2'. I believe this would provide the most satisfaction across recordings.

I also have 3 systems, at different price points, all far from door'3',  believe them all to have passed through door '2', and enjoy them equally as used for their purposes (best=dedicated room music sessions, next=outdoor back deck music sessions, last=living room video enhancement, background music).
I believe that if one is looking down the ultimate road regarding where one ends up at the end and the associated costs, then most wouldn't even start the trip.
I opt for door #3, but, with the understanding that it is a journey.  If the goal is about accurate sound reproduction, or as accurate as one can get, then the journey is also based on real-world financial expectations.
You get the best that you can afford and if you received the correct/accurate advice along the way, you understand that you will be upgrading many times in order to get "there".
So, you do the best you can at first.  Find something isn't quite right and begin the long upgrade path.  One is never "there", but there is diminishing returns after awhile.  Also a point where to get to the next real level would cost a ridiculous amount of money that may not be worth it to you.
When you get "there", can you live with what you have?  If yes, then there you are.  After so many years of getting "there", take a step back and add up the costs all along the way.  It would probably be really high. to the extent that If you were just starting out on this path, and knew the costs, you probably wouldn't even start out.

But, the real question is what makes one happy? For me, it is the satisfying volunteer coaching I've been doing since the early 1990's, music, art, good friends and family, being able to work hard and take care of my family and put my kids through college, vacations (I love this) and coming home, turning on the system, getting a good glass of wine, a good book, company and listening to music.
It's taken a long time to get to where I am music wise.  I'll never be completely there, but I'm good with what I have and where I am.
So, door # 3 for me, but with the understanding that it is/was a long term/long time goal.

enjoy