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What is the most important component to consider while building a new system?

I recently viewed a You Tube video featuring Paul McGowan from PS Audio discussing the most important component when building a new system. I love Paul's video's and feel they bring a personalized touch to the discussions of all things audio. In the video mentioned Paul took a generalized approach in stating the speakers were the most important component to consider and that the relevant importance of each successive component rested in the chain down stream of the speakers. I am writing this to humbly disagree. I am in the mist of building a new system from scratch over the past 9 months. It has been my experience that if proper care is taken to the quality of the amp. pre-amp. and cables (with an emphasis on cables) you can get away with relatively inexpensive speakers that sound better than they have a right to. This is my own opinion based on recent experiences.
scottya118
ghdprentice
6,415 posts
 
Of course they all matter. However.


There are lots of rules of thumb with regard to different components. Over most of the last 50 years my system has had Speakers that were more in the 10% of system cost as opposed to the 30% or so recommended investment. I believe my system always sounded good for my investment level. But you must be good at component matching.


My emphasis has been:

1. Preamp
2. Phonostage / DAC,
3. Turntable / Streamer
4. Speakers and amp
5. Cables / interconnects
6. Power conditioning
7. Power cords
8. Other tweaks (dampening, lifters… etc)


gochurchgo
892 posts
 
Budget and how much of a forum hero you want to be.
tuberist's avatar
tuberist
951 posts
 
Room and most speaker you can afford
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
@qjm101,
Good one.
B
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
FIRST; The right domestic partner or at least an animal friend. Mountain Gorilla is a little tough on some gear.. Maybe a terrier..

Then pick what ever you want.. Won’t have to navigate the narrow path of domestic bliss behind some MAN purchase vs WOMAN purchase vs Gorilla vs Terrier purchase..

SECOND; Speakers and room, or room and speakers. Either way.

THIRD; To get started (an option) I went out and powered 2 serious speakers including the bass section with two 59.00 2.1 class d and a 79.00 dollar tube head set/dac/WiFi/Tone control and everything else under the sun. Thing.

I was floored, just floored.. I used a Galaxy S3 for a source.. I did use really good cable though.. :-) Smart a$$ neighbor blabbing about how class ds were junk.. Shut him up.. 200.00 wonder system..

The amps were 50x2 & 100x1. The bass (100), mids (50) and highs (50).. The heaviest part was the cables at least 3 times the weight of 2 amps, 1 preamp and 3 PS.

DIY like me on the room and DIY some gear/speakers/cables/things/stuff/do-dads..

I did buy a new phono/tape pre amp, second new purchase in a long long time. The first went back.. I always by used..

New Parts.. Used Gear.. Fast women, (not to fast) ;-)
Regards
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