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Audio Lessons Learned - post your best advice for the newer members!

Hi,
I thought it would be great to have our longtime audiophiles post their "lessons learned" along the way.

This is not a thread to start arguments, so please do not do that.
Just a repository where newer members can go to get a few good tidbits of knowledge.

I'll start - I have been an audiophile for 50 years now.

1. Learn about how humans hear sound, and what frequencies SHOULD NOT be flat in their response.. This should be the basis for your system. "Neutral" sounding systems DO NOT sound good to the human ear. You will be unsatified for years (like I was) until you realize this.

2. I do not "chase" DACS anymore.. (I went up to 30K Dacs before realizing the newest Dac chips are now within a few % of the high end Dacs.) Do your research and get yourself a good Dac using the best new dac chips. (about 1000.00 will get you a good one) and save yourself a fortune. - This was one of the best lessons I learned (and just recently) . It allowed me to put more of the budget into room treatment, clean power, and cables which are much more important.

3. Do you want a pleasant or unpleasant sounding system?
I had many very high end systems with NO real satisfaction, until I realized
why a certain company aimed for a particular sound..

4. McIntosh:
As a high end audiophile, I regarded McIntosh as just a little above Bose for about 40 years.-- (not good)
I thought I was an elite audiophile who knew way too much about our hobby to buy equipment that was well made, but never state of the art and colored in its own way.

This was TOTALLY WRONG, as I realize now.
McIntosh goes for a beautiful sound for HUMAN ears, not for specification charts. This is not a flat response, and uses autoformers to get this gorgeous sound. If you know enough about all the other things in our hobby, such as room treatments, very clean power, and very good cables, you can bring a gorgeous sounding McIntosh system to unheard of levels. I have done this now, and I have never enjoyed my music more!

Joe55ag


joe55ag
lordrootman's avatar
lordrootman
379 posts
 
Never tell your wife the true cost of your system
Use the equipment to listen to the music. Don't use the music to listen to the equipment.
It's more expensive than a child. And needs It's own toyroom. Your friends will want playdates.
Always audition everything in your listening space, with the option to return it for a full refund if necessary.
Make sure you let your wife buy all the clothes and jewelry she wants. Tell her she looks her best with designer purses and gem quality jewelry. My wife is now into sapphires. Perfect because nice ones start at $1K and easily go up to a pair of nice monoblocks.
You will never be done upgrading...just roll with it.
audiodwebe's avatar
audiodwebe
244 posts
 
1.  Bose-bashing not required to prove your audiophile credentials.

2.  We're all lusting after that last 5% improvement in sound quality.

3.  The last 5% is mighty expensive.

4.  Trust your own ears.
audition__audio
1,504 posts
 
I totally disagree with the entire premise of the OP. System neutrality is critical. To chase a system that makes poor recordings sound good is a serious mistake I think. A system should faithfully reproduce what it is fed. 
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Everything is important to good sound but the synergy of the entire system is the most important thing it is not just one brand or how much you spend on the gear price does not determine quality of sound. Good sound is determined by good design and execution of system setup and component interaction as well as careful setup in your room of choice.
joey54
434 posts
 
My advice would be to find a good dealer and listen to his/her advice. A good dealer will be motivated to help you achieve good sound within your budget and will help you with your upgrade path when you want to and can afford to. 

Also, don't buy anything you haven't listened to personally. No review or advice from someone else will let you know if you are making a good buying decision based on your preferences.
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