I have been an audiophile for about 57 years; got my first system at the age of 15 (Eico ST40 amp and AR2 Speakers). Over that length of time I have learned a few things, some times by doing stupid, and regretting it.
Here are my best thoughts.
1) At least 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a system should be devoted to the speakers, the pre amp, and the phono cartridge, because they infulence the total sound quality more than other components.
2) Where you and the speakers are place is very important. A good starting point is 6 to 7 feet between each tweeter and the same 6 to 7 feet between the tweeter and your ears. The speakers should be canted in a bit. The further the speakers are from the side wall and the front wall the better.
3) Do not put anything in the signal path that does not absolutely need to be there.
4) The best arrangement is a tube per-amp and a solid state amp. You should get a slightly warm tuby sound, but still have the "slam" of a solid state amp.
5) A "big time" record matt will do wonders for your turn table; the two best are Ring Matt, or the one made by Music Hall. They both work on the concept of decoupling the record from the platter.
6) Which would you prefer to own, a five year old series 5 BMW or a new Ford Focus? If you can find top quality stuff that is 4 or 5 years old you will have more system for the money.
7) If you play a poor recording on a great system you will be disappointed. The quality of the recording is a big part of how your system sounds.
8) Don't make a lot of big changes to your system every year or so. Do your research, buy really good stuff, and keep it for years..
Here are my best thoughts.
1) At least 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a system should be devoted to the speakers, the pre amp, and the phono cartridge, because they infulence the total sound quality more than other components.
2) Where you and the speakers are place is very important. A good starting point is 6 to 7 feet between each tweeter and the same 6 to 7 feet between the tweeter and your ears. The speakers should be canted in a bit. The further the speakers are from the side wall and the front wall the better.
3) Do not put anything in the signal path that does not absolutely need to be there.
4) The best arrangement is a tube per-amp and a solid state amp. You should get a slightly warm tuby sound, but still have the "slam" of a solid state amp.
5) A "big time" record matt will do wonders for your turn table; the two best are Ring Matt, or the one made by Music Hall. They both work on the concept of decoupling the record from the platter.
6) Which would you prefer to own, a five year old series 5 BMW or a new Ford Focus? If you can find top quality stuff that is 4 or 5 years old you will have more system for the money.
7) If you play a poor recording on a great system you will be disappointed. The quality of the recording is a big part of how your system sounds.
8) Don't make a lot of big changes to your system every year or so. Do your research, buy really good stuff, and keep it for years..