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Class "A" sound, as related to Stereophile.


It's all about the sound.

It's all about sound, not how much it cost; when I got into "high end", I knew right off the bat I couldn't afford it, but I had to find one thing for sure; how do the various components sound in regard to Stereophile's classes, or ratings? In order to know this; I had to acquire the ability to identify "Stereophile's" class "A" class "B" and class "C" sounds, and the only way to do that was: first, subscribe to Stereophile, and next was to go to every high end audio salon within driving distance; there were 5 well stocked "high end" salons within driving distance. (Since I didn't take my wife, that created some problems)

After a few years of subscribing to Stereophile, plus auditioning equipment that Stereophile recommended, I knew the sound of those recommendations, and I absolutely concurred with them; "If you want to hear the music, you got to pay the piper". While that's true, it's possible to get class "A" sound with class "B" bucks or less.

At this moment, I am looking at 8 capacitors that cost $25 dollars each, plus 2 mono blocks with an instant resale value of 6K. Once I take the covers off and go in with my soldering iron, these mono blocks are worth a resell of O; my mission must be a success. After a successful mission, the resell is still 0; but those mono blocks will deliver class "A" or "A"+ sound, and that's some sweet music.

I have to visualize and hear music in my head before I can modify a component to deliver class "A" sound; but that's the only way for me to get what has become a necessity.

The pressure someone is under when they modify, is great, but the rewards are glorious. On these mono blocks, they are too small for the huge capacitors, therefore I have to figure a way to make the case larger. My reward is "sound" with absolutely no relation to money. I often wander if someone with a fat bankroll can identify the sound, or only how much they paid for each piece.


Happy listening.

orpheus10
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Tomcy6, in regard to swapping in and out, that reminds me of when I was hanging out at a top "Audio Salon"; me and the guys were grooving on an all reference Audio Research system with top of the line Thiel speakers, when a customer came in wanting to audition an Adcom amplifier. Now Adcom is good "affordable" equipment, but it's not "ARC". That Adcom just smoked the groove.

My point in telling this, is that you have to have all top of the line in the audio chain, one piece wont do it; if you don't think you can swing 100%, one piece is a waste of money. Of course you will get some improvement, but not nearly what you paid for. A chain is no stronger than it's weakest link; we just had one weak link in a class "A" chain and it smoked the sound, relative to what we had been hearing.

Don't get me wrong "Adcom" makes very good gear, but it doesn't cost as much, or sound as good as  ARC.

I have never experienced "spectacular" synergy, only what reading and common sense got me.


Enjoy the music.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,597 posts
 

I agree with you Orpheus. A system must be composed of components of similar quality. One lower quality component can ruin a good system.

I also agree with viridian that it’s much easier to assemble a good system with the help of a knowledgeable dealer. It’s just that unless you live in a major city, there aren’t many of them around.

For those of us who don't have a number of audio shops nearby, the Stereophile recommended components list is a good starting point, and not just the current list but older ones too.

orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Viridian, this whole "A" "B" "C" thing is foolishness if you can not afford Class "A".

I spent years subscribing to "Stereophile" and spending time in high end salons. After reading "Recommended components" I went and compared the "sound" of the component" and other components in that class; you will not get class "B" sound for Class "C" money. Now there are many different sounds in all the classes, and for that reason you might prefer a class "C" component over a class "B" component.

I just ordered a cartridge that's class "B", but costs more than another similar cartridge that's also Class "B". I'm not buying these components because they're Class "B"; I'm buying them because they sound good. If I could afford Class "A", I would buy Class "A"; not because it's "Class "A" but because of the spectacular sonics. If I could get Class "A" sound for Class "C" money, I would buy it all.

One of the best examples I can think of at the moment is "ARC" and Conrad Johnson; two different sounds when both are class "A".

Compare CJ PV12, and CJ PV10; both are CJ but PV12 sounds better; while both sound good, one costs more than the other although they both make Class "B"; that means buy the one you can afford, but money is the boss denominator. Many people have them both is why I gave that example. In the end, I'm not buying class "B", I'm buying Class "B" sound; if it was free and delivered that sound, I would really go for that.

I don't get the connection between a "synergistic" system and the different classes of sound?


orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Viridian, I'm familiar with Naim electronics, but not Linn speakers. Naim is among top of the line electronics, Linn speakers evidently cost less. I have never experienced "synergy" that saved a bundle of money, but synergy is important. In the example you gave, I know about Naim, but not Linn. Could you give an example with "Polk" speakers, they're good but relatively inexpensive speakers.

I have a standard, the same as everybody else on this forum; some guys were discussing 20K tone arms; by now I assume you know that's too rich for my blood, but I settle for Class "B" sound as cheap as I can get it.

Since I have skilled hands, I can get class "B" sound from a Class "C" turntable; I think you were in a discussion of that nature; it's what mods are about.

I'm not trying to sell a magazine, it's just that aspect of the magazine I found to be generally valid.


Enjoy the music.
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