We are buying and reviewing gear all wrong


So let's assume that cables, power conditioners and electronics all contribute noticeably to the sounds we hear.

In that case, maybe the idea of buying individual gear, reviewing individual gear, etc. is all messed up.
We should review entire systems, and buy entire systems.

This idea that we constantly shuffle interconnects, speaker and power cords for all our lives is messed up.

We shouldn't be looking at audio stores or reviewers as recommending gear, but themes. Styles. Entire collections all at once.
erik_squires
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Assembling good systems is what being a hi-fi retailer is all about. At least it used to be.
The last two posts pretty much nailed it. I reiterate, assembling a good system from different manufacturers is what makes this hobby so much fun. Buying everything from one manufacturer is virtually impossible and often offer compromises....you’re buying into their ‘house’ sound which may or may not be the best value for the money.

Erik, aren’t you a big proponent of DIY cables, speakers and promoter of Parts Connexion? I sense some kind of hidden agenda against B&M stores selling brand name HiFi components.

Tech HiFi, Tweeter, Etc. and a few other stereo stores in the Boston area used to offer deals on pre-assembled systems. In 1973, I bought, with a little help from my parents, one of Tech HiFi’s $199 systems comprising the house branded TDC 1 sealed speakers, a ~6 wpc Cambridge Audio receiver and Garrard turntable with "magnetic cartridge!" IC’s and a couple of 6 ft strands of zip cord were also included.

It sounded pretty good for my small bedroom and for the first time I was no longer chewing up my records with a crappy flip-style Astatic piezo cartridge. A year later I bought a Pioneer turntable from a local dealer that greatly improved vinyl playback. That system lasted me from spring of sophomore year in high school until I graduated from college six years later. I later gave it away to friends as I was able to afford a better rig.

Systems are what we listen to, but how we get there is the path of individuality and experimentation, and I don’t think you’re going to change that. Either that or it’s Bose Wave Radio.

At various times in the odyssey I've gravitated to several components from a single manufacturer(first BAT and more recently Pass), but this pretty much ceased after discovering that almost anything can be improved or successfully re-voiced with DIY modifications.  As to cables: once the speakers and electronics have been brought up to a high level, a carefully researched DIY recipe with pure annealed silver wire and branded terminations is the finishing touch.  My greatest regret in the hobby is an expensive drawer full of commercial cable purchases.

I can't think of a single manufacturer with whom I would buy into the construct of single-sourcing purchasing-- including Linn, ATC, and Naim.