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System synergies: Chaotic or predictable?

When speaking of system "synergies", do you consider these to be chaotic? or are they a predictable sum of the character of the components?  I'm surprised at people who think they can predict the sound of a system from their perceptions of the components (derived, in turn, from other system combinations), and even more surprised and suspicious of the 'tone control' approach to purchasing cables and amplifiers suggested by another forum member (who does happen to be a dealer). 

I think these two views are contradictory. If we think that components have 'magical' synergies beyond our ability to measure, then it seems unlikely that we also can predict how combinations of components will sound.

ahofer
ahofer OP
225 posts
 
I agree that is an eminently sensible approach to start with the speakers.  The "striking gold" part is inconsistent, however, with the rest, which was the point of the OP.

I know this isn't the forum where people want to discuss this, but the frequency response of your cables better be flat, or your cable is defective.  Fortunately most are, to a nearly perfect null test with one another.
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,531 posts
 
That's why all my electronics are from the same manufacturer.
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,933 posts
 
Ahofer most cables are measured for   inductance, resistance and capacitance. 

However the sonic differences between cables is much more than their electrical differences. 

Many things in audio have not been correlated just by measurements alone  

If you listen to a Kubala Sosna cables vs an Audioquest vs a Nordost vs a Wireworld you will all hear differences that are not really tied to their electrical properties alone.  

We have sold all of these brands and each had a distinctly different sonic signature for this reason you have to try different cables in your own system.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor 
mike_in_nc
1,195 posts
 
Troy, Yes, sometimes great results are by mixing manufacturers. Still, I’m surprised at how many don’t even try the matching gear, which at least the designer thinks are good together.

BTW, I heard the BP26 and 4BSST2 combination you didn’t like, and in local demo with BDA and Aerial 7t, it sounded great to my ears. Room? Speakers? Ears? Wires? Taste? Who knows?

audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,933 posts
 
Mike look at the high frequency graph of the Aeriel 7T and you will see it dips at many freqencies above 10k the speaker is shelved in the top end the Bryston/Bryston combo therefore would sound pleasing. 

On a brighter speaker the Brystons can sound a bit too sterile hence the use of a tube preamplifier.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ
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