Perfect Path Total Contact no longer?

mapman ...

Agreed. It is necessary to start with a good baseline. In my case, an ARC Reference amp, an ARC Reference preamp, and an ARC PH-8 phono stage.

Once nirvana has been attained through tweaking, only then can one really appreciate the genius that went into the design of the equipment, no matter the brand being used.

Without all of the tweaks added to the system, including, but not limited to, the PPT products, I thought it was a good system ... and it should have been based on the dollars spent.

After all of the various tweaks were installed and applied ... well, as you know, everything is an accumulation in an audio system. When it all comes together correctly, the realism is astounding. 

Frank

Once nirvana has been attained through tweaking, only then can one really appreciate the genius that went into the design of the equipment, no matter the brand being used.

Without all of the tweaks added to the system, including, but not limited to, the PPT products, I thought it was a good system ... and it should have been based on the dollars spent. 

After all of the various tweaks were installed and applied ... well, as you know, everything is an accumulation in an audio system. When it all comes together correctly, the realism is astounding.

Frank

^^What he said.

SSDD

mapman
For the record of course as OP well knows, I am not an “anti tweaker.”

“I’m not a crook.” 🤥

First climber: Wow! What a fabulous view! So this is what it looks like from the top of the world! 

Second climber: Relax, Jack, we’re only at Base Camp.