I don't know that there is a holistic approach or even one which singles out a component within a hierarchy (yes, I remember Linn's marketing). I'd define objectives and priorities first.
For me, it starts with the midrange. It has to be grain free and transparent. I've relied on tubes to do that, since Biblical times. But, that may not satisfy someone with different priorities.
Amp-Speaker relationship is critical and you cannot buy one without the other in mind. Since most people think the overall shape of the sound is going to be dictated by loudspeaker type, that forces the amplifier decision.
Beyond that, it's a bunch of boxes and cables. Are you doing analog? Lot's of considerations, just as there are in putting together a good digital front end.
I suspect most people start with certain "assumptions" (which could include not only budget, but space, room, appearance as well as availability). Me, I did it the long, step by step way and had a serious system by 1975, but despite the variety of interesting equipment I've owned over the years, I wouldn't say I "churned" through equipment. To the contrary, I tend to buy and hold.
The baseline starts with what you can hear and be exposed to in a decent listening environment with a variety of material to assess both the strengths and weaknesses of a given assemblage of components. Having "Tier1" components across the board is not a recipe for success-- that elusive "synergy"-- and you are the one who is going to have to live with it, whatever you choose.
For me, it starts with the midrange. It has to be grain free and transparent. I've relied on tubes to do that, since Biblical times. But, that may not satisfy someone with different priorities.
Amp-Speaker relationship is critical and you cannot buy one without the other in mind. Since most people think the overall shape of the sound is going to be dictated by loudspeaker type, that forces the amplifier decision.
Beyond that, it's a bunch of boxes and cables. Are you doing analog? Lot's of considerations, just as there are in putting together a good digital front end.
I suspect most people start with certain "assumptions" (which could include not only budget, but space, room, appearance as well as availability). Me, I did it the long, step by step way and had a serious system by 1975, but despite the variety of interesting equipment I've owned over the years, I wouldn't say I "churned" through equipment. To the contrary, I tend to buy and hold.
The baseline starts with what you can hear and be exposed to in a decent listening environment with a variety of material to assess both the strengths and weaknesses of a given assemblage of components. Having "Tier1" components across the board is not a recipe for success-- that elusive "synergy"-- and you are the one who is going to have to live with it, whatever you choose.
