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

berner99133 posts07-15-2021 4:01pmSpeakers are the only component that can determine the radiation pattern of how sound is distributed in your room.


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Can’t say it any clearer than berner99 just did.

speakersspeakerspeakers
Completely forget amp shootouts, digital shootouts.
Thats all nothing but nuances. Nothing more.
Whereas speakers are all the way from grossly, distortion to disgustingly distorted to OK, nothing great, and on to Nirvana pure bliss.
Every single speaker lab will havea certain characteristic sound.
A Wilson will always sound like a Wilson, no matter what model you choose.
ProAc = all ProAc’s,.
Etc.
AER = all AER’s, All Voxativ = all Voxativ.
So forget lab A PP amp sounding so much different vs Lab B PP amp.
Tube CD player A vs Tube DAC B.
Nothing but slight nuances.
The only component that makes a giganitic modification in how the sound , is the speakers.
All other components are nothing but nuances, nothing more.
Not sure if I can be any clearer.
Changing speaker labs will result in a ~~~modification of sound~~~, Not a nuance. A real substantial mod.
~~Speakers are everything~~~~
Amp discussions bore me to death.

Speaker room match
Then source
Decent amp
Cables
Isolation platforms (speaker and source) 
Power

There is a diminishing point of return on any component.   Spending more doesn't necessarily get you much better sound.   But it is the loudspeakers that you are actually listening to.  They are the primary transducer in your system

In order to get good dynamic range, the ability to play at concert levels in a good sized room, have good imaging and a truly natural tonal balance, there is no way around spending a lot of money.  But then "a lot of money" is a relative term.  

Most of your hi-end loudspeaker vendors (Magico, Wilson, Focal, Avalon, etc) have a top line loudspeaker selling in excess of $50,000.   Are they really better than a pair of KEF LS50 loudspeakers with sub-woofer augmentation?  Depends on how much you're demanding from a system.

There are solutions which are an exceptional value.   In most homes, I'd put the Dutch & Dutch 8c up against any of the $50,000+ loudspeakers.   They have astonishing imaging, clarity and a great natural tonal balance.  Damn near perfection.  But they cost $12,000, which is far beyond what many would pay for loudspeakers.  But what you forget is that they are a total system with built-in bi-amplification, built-in DSP and controlled directivity.  You could run the D &D 8c with an iPad, a hi-res streaming service and be done.   No preamp to buy.  No turntable with expensive cartridge, phono preamp, etc.  In light of that, $12,000 isn't all that bad.

Another cost effective solution to the extreme hi-end is the DIY Linkwitz LX521 system, which would run you about $6000 for loudspeaker components, cabinetry, active crossover, amplification and cabling.  Again, almost a full system.  Just add a preamp and the source of your choice.

So your question really starts with your requirements and budget.

The most Overlooked, Underrated, Un sexy Component is Power Delivery. I consider it a paramount component because having Clean Power gets your entire System working at its Optimal Performance, and then there is also the cost.

I did not start with an efficient Power Delivery system. I found that after a while I was looking for a new Power amp or Pre amp or Speakers. When I introduced Substantial Power Delivery to my system, it was like I had a whole new system. The only thing I have done since then is make tweaks.  

Speaker to suit the room first.  Then amp to match the speaker