Do Audio Hobbyists Commonly Fail to Fully Utilize Their Systems?
This question is polite way of asking: How many of us spend big bucks to secure the best sound we can, only to misuse or under use our equipment? IF my personal experience is anything to go by (probably not typical) many times I've done something purely ignorant which resulted in an otherwise decent system failing to perform as it could if well connected? My error in my SVS sub settings is a perfect example. This morning the timbre and soundstage is unlike I've ever heard from this chair. For a year at least I had two filters fighting each other squashing my tunes! Audiogon forums are often assessed to cure perceived problems by members however, what one doesn't know CAN harm you! (your sound that is).My short list of crazy stupid isn't by any means limited to the subwoofer setting error. A short list includes wrong tubes in wrong places, modem and router WAY TOO close to amp, speakers overly toed`in, and the list goes on...Its probably impossible to believe but apparently some of us need a "systems check up"! Wishful thinking I suppose but you know there's others who have invested hundreds if not thousands only to produce B~ sound. Check list? "FIND WEAKEST LINK HOTLINE"? Ideas?
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I discovered after thinking hard and reading & experimenting that what we bought dont matter compared to the synergy factor because it is all in relation with our budget anyway...Then synergy is the first necessity... What matter after is mechanical,electrical and especially acoustics control... We must study and experiment... It is way more fun than buying... I am proud of my system because i designed it as much as those who created the part...
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Agreed @mahgister Buying is the first step and while the synergy will take one a long way, it won't go the full distance for us on its own. At some point, we then we begin the process (that you champion so well) of attempting to unravel the mysteries of our systems' behavior and their interactions with our rooms - all that, in turn, becoming what takes us the rest of the way. |
My own experience taught me that many people if not most had not the faintest idea about how to improve their system. They think about buying "better" and costlier... They talk cables and better dac , buying subwoofers etc... Nothing bad about buying subwoofers or cables or dac... But before doing this it is mandatory to learn how to control vibrations/resonance, electrical noise floor and acoustical spatial qualities and timbre performance of the speakers/room.. No sellers of gear will say that... The race to always costlier gear is up to your budget level availability... For most people this is impossible and anyway in my opinion illusory in many case... How can we judge our system potential if we do not control it ?
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I believe I have not made many mistakes because I have done my homework prior to each upgrade, first reading professional journals on equipment within my means, then carefully auditioning the equipment. I always looked at compatibility by comparing specifications and published measurements even though I believe the latter is not that useful because they are most often taken in an anechoic chamber and not a real life environment. As technology improved over the years, and my spend increased, every system improvement produced noticeable SQ improvements. I did make one setup error when I first moved from a PC server to an Aurender. The combined voltage output of the server and DAC overload the input of the preamp causing clipping distortion. It took me a while to research the problem, blaming the Aurender at first My quality engineering background told me to tolerance stack the specification and I found the problem which was easily solved by lowering the voltage output of the DAC. Also, I do not make system changes often. I become comfortable with my system and enjoy the music. One professional reviewer whose name and journal I do not remember stated some audiophiles have the FOMO (fear of missing out). While I know better is out there, I am happy where my system stands and I do not suffer the FOMO
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