A stupid question for which there's no sensible answer.


I know, I know. At least I've labeled it properly.

Here goes: of the following elements of a system, how would you rank their influence on the sound? In other words, generally, which would someone want to upgrade or prioritize, and in what order,  if all of the following pieces were inferior to an amp/preamp and speakers they were happy with? Power cables, connector cables. speaker cables. streaming source, music source, dac (I vote for this one as #1), room treatment, speaker placement, type of chair, earwax quotient, what you ate for lunch, etc.

I hereby give my permission for everyone to tell me this is an idiotic question since the real answer is: it depends. (But I did put a "generally" in there somewhere). Anyway, I prefer that we debate this based on what we've experienced when we've tinkered. So I guess I'm really interested in anecdotes.

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A friend who had a veterinarian appointment the next morning, was asked to bring the dog's sample. Worried that the dog wouldn't "go" in time, collected it the day before and preserved it in the refrigerator. He found that a stool in the fridge was a very bad idea: :)


😁😊

Very funny....

Thanks for the correction....

Sometimes my bad mastering of english is a bit too much evident....

It is the funniest correction i ever read ....

My best to you.....



" I knew someone must have stool (stolen is better) mine in my fridge.."
For me, the question is the building process leading to a satisfactory system based upon individual choices and external factors.  After much research and years of listening, I found myself in the position of having the means and time to create what for me was / is a system where I am no longer chasing the last 0.05 percent.

Financial considerations create a range for most all of us.  The next important part is the WAF factor in terms of what our system will do to the living area.  The dedicated listening room is not the norm for most people.

I found that the speaker drove the amplifier choice.  I went through a few amps before finding my keeper.  Source is important, but I agree that room treatments have more effect on the sound.  I would argue that quality source material is as important as the source playing it.

I have found that other tweaks are really at the margin to my ears, useful, but nothing to break the bank over.   I do have dedicated power circuits due to the requirements of my amp, but also have an 86 much TV in the room that does impact the sound a small bit, but keeps peace on n the family.  
Everyone has a different journey, I have found mine to be very pleasing sinceI quit changing gear all the time.  Now it is all about listening to the music.
This is not a dumb question at all but i can say that it is the whole system of everything that is the upgrade making sure that every part and parcel works together.
Recording, speakers, room, equalization, and given the quality of today's cheapest electronics and cables, as long as you have proper wattage and resistance, nothing else.
Of course the room impacts the sound quality most @mahgister. That’s a given. My cousin has a basic system in a converted warehouse with extremely high ceilings and a concrete floor. The room is completely open, slightly rectangular and must be 2500-5000 square feet. His system sounds amazing with NO treatments since none are needed. I think his system is under $2K or so with turntable, receiver and speakers. Biggest % in his turntable (used Rega P5 with mid Grado cartridge).
That’s why I mentioned the Linn paper and the source being most important - for him it is. the room treatments can’t fix a terrible room.