A mistake spending too much on amplification?

All of this talk about speakers vs electronic's and the ratio of costs between the two leaves me feeling like I just had a Chinese lunch! Hell, its not even an hour later and I'm hungry again! :-)

Speakers are the BIG deal. Best speakers you can afford - absolutely. BUT, and this is no small BUT, when selecting the speaker you must consider not only the quality of its signal but its frequency response.

You can buy a high quality speaker with roll off starting at 45hz and power it with a high quality amp at one price ratio but the ratio changes dramatically if you buy speakers which are 'flat' to 20hz (very expensive) but can be driven by the same electronics as the speakers that roll off at 45hz. And the obverse is true as well.

Ratios, spatios........Its all about a synergistic system, including the source(s). You can actually pay more for a source than an amp or speakers, boy is that out of whack or what! :-)

There's an old idiom that says "There's more than one way to skin a cat". In other words, there is more than one way to accomplish a particular feat. In your case the "feat" is to get noticibly better (different) sound. To date you've tried to accomplish this by replacing electronics in the amplification chain and it has apparently not worked for you.

There's an old definition of the word "insanity" that stated: "Doing the same thing over and over again and expection different results".

OK, now that I've called you insane (aren't we all), lets get to the point. You've given us very little information. We know the speakers you own and they are of high quality. We know the amps and pre-amps that you own and they are of various price, but you've determined that it doesn't make a significant difference. What we don't know is anything about your room or what source component you are using. This is important because both can be significantly "bad" enough to prevent you from hearing the differences in amplification and speakers. It is entirely possible that no amount of money or component changes is going to allow you to attain your sonic goals.

I would highly recommend that you tell us a little about your listening space, your musical preferences and the source components that you've used.

Speaking of another way to skin a cat, my current system is inversely porportional in expenditure vs the common philosophy generally recommend here. My most expensive component is my digital source, second is my amplification and my least expensive component is my speakers. Additionally my system has become less complex and less expensive over time, however it has improved sonically IMHO.

Here is the price breakdown (all purchased used) of my current system:

CD player $1000
Amp $600
Speakers $400

I've owned systems with a list price of $10,000+ and my current $2000 system is superior in every respect. Maybe it's a better match for my small-medium room or it has better component synergy. Regardless of the reason, it sound better to me and it has freed up more than $10,000 in cash......

Enjoy,

TIC

This has been interesting. I happen to believe that transducers (cartridges and especially speakers) have the most impact on perceived sound. Followed by source, preamp, amp and cables. There again, this is opinion. I'm skeptical of anyone who presents their preferences as revealed truth.People can get so emotional about this stuff as if disagreement with their position in some way invalidates them personally.

Here is the price breakdown (all purchased used) of my current system:

CD player $1000
Amp $600
Speakers $400

Your System list prices indicate that your speaker is roughly half the new cost of the equipment...a balanced investment, IMHO. Great that this beats many of the +$10K systems you tried. Synergy and careful selection for the room and musical tastes can do a lot!

Shadorne,

System has not been updated. Currently I'm using A Meridian 508.24, Red Wine Audio Reali-T Amp/DAC/Volume control, and a pair of DIY single driver speakers built using the Hemp Acoustics FR8.0DIY driver. I can currently choose betten the DAC in the Meridian or the DAC (Scott Nixon DacKit) inside of the Reali-T. Both sound great with the SN DAC being a bit smoother and the Meridian have better extension and dynamics.

Enjoy,

TIC