What makes the biggest difference in sound quality?
When making changes or adding things to your system, what makes the bigger difference in sound quality on preamp‘s and power amps? Interconnects, speaker cables, power cords, or fuses?
I have tuned my system by ear, chasing that human voice. Thank you for the info @mahgister, I’ll read up on this method, sounds very interesting. My next project is to build some diffusion panels. side/front walls, and ceiling as well. My speakers are about 8 feet into a 25 foot long living room, and I prefer a live/dispersed room over an overly treated one. |
I have as well...using a wealth of information synthesized over the years and well documented from various sources.
I agree based on experience its fruitless to focus on gear alone without first a focus on integrating the gear into the room properly, starting with the speakers. Lots of proven references for that and many services available to do it for you right if in doubt, if you can afford it. It has made a night and day difference for me. Acoustics are 90% of the battle.
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Transducers (speakers and phono cartridge: these are the areas to focus on most of all.
Transducers are the points that transform energy from one to another. (electrical to mechanical/mechanical to electrical). These two processes have the most variability in design, engineering and manufacturing. The difference between two preamps is small compared to these. Brad |
It seems that this thread has brought out some important aspects about pursuing high end sound. Lots of things matter. The breath shows how everything matters… since individual experiences are so widely distributed. It also shows one of the reasons it is such an intriguing pursuit… you can continuously improve your system by working on the finer points. Speaker placement, room treatment, power cords, cable elevators… etc. I completely upgraded my system about a two years ago. Just plunking down new components each created a “wow” moment. I enjoyed every minute as the component broke in. Then after some time, I would actively make a change… new interconnect or, power cord. One by one interconnects as the first confirmed my views. I was lazy. I didn’t get around to fiddling with speaker toe-in for over a year. My speakers were known to disappear… voila, they disappeared, soundstage increased greatly. Most other pursuits don’t offer such opportunity for improvement. While the character of my system has not changed a bit since I established the major components… the details of imaging, detail, soundstage… have improved dramatically.
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