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System Synergy Theory

Are the attributes of a component generally aggregate? i.e. if a phono stage has a slow bass transient response and a cartridge has a slow bass transient response � does that mean the sound will be twice as slow relatively speaking. Another example would be a cartridge that sounds airy, but tends to be lean with a bit of harshness in the upper octaves paired with an amplifier that is slightly on the lean side will the sound now be even more lean and harsh?

OR

Do components generally adhere to the �weakest link� theory when paired. i.e. if a phono stage has a slow bass transient response and a cartridge has slow bass transient response � the bass transient would only be as slow as the weakest link in the chain when paired. Same with the other example; is the bright cartridge paired with the bright amplifier only as bright as the weakest link in the chain.

Knowing this would go a long way in helping interpret reviews and estimating how components will match up. Obviously the ultimate is to listen for yourself, but there are far too many components and combinations to try. You could spend a lifetime and still not get through all the possible combinations. Perhaps it depends on the component. Maybe phono stages are aggregate, while amplifiers subscribe to the weakest link theory.


Any thoughts��..
carter9000
bigkidz
3,425 posts
 
"Knowing this would go a long way in helping interpret reviews and estimating how components will match up."

I would imagine that there is no way you can read a review and interpret how a component will sound in your system. What I take from a review (I don't read the mags anymore) is how accurate the reviewer says a component is. Then when I am out listening to that component, I see if what the reviewer said is what I am hearing. If I hear the same as the reviewer, I tend to believe that we hear the same, if not, then I don't use that reviewer as a source of information for me.

I recently auditioned the NuForce 9SE V2 power amps. With one preamp the NuForce sounded OF to good, with the next preamp, the NuForce sounded very good. Both preamps use the same 6SN7 tubes and both were considered to be warm and musical preamps.

Happy Listening.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
Great question. I do believe the component characteristics are additive to an extent. Sometimes a single component will dominate the others. I will admit that I think I know how I prefer to put together a system but will admit that I probably got lucky in my current system. It is more likely that I stumbled upon the sound I like. To a large extent, system building is still trial and error though you can at least get in the ballpark by know your preferences and the sonic attributes of a component.
carter9000 OP
23 posts
 
I need to get out more. I don’t get to hear the equipment as often as I would like. BigKidz, I see your point. The same goes for movie reviewers – you really need to get a grasp for a particular reviewer’s tastes so you can interpret their review. If a reviewer hates every big budget action movie and they give Die Hard 3 a bad review…can you really trust that review if you like action movies…..

Knowing this information will help though. If more than one reviewer says the same thing about a component then I can most likely accept it as truth or if I trust that reviewer’s opinion. Which kind of brings up another point – what are the tendencies of the major reviewers?
piedpiper
753 posts
 
Carter,

best start another thread for that. interesting question.
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
You mean there are still people out there who trust a reviewer's opinion? I still subscibe to Stereophile, but only for the pretty photos and functional descriptions. Call me jaded, but I stopped believing the reviewers sonic opinions many, many years ago.

Cheers,
John
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