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Synergy - how to get there

We talk alot about system synergy as being a highly important factor for audio bliss but seldom discuss the process of achieving synergy. I would love to hear others thoughts.
Here are mine: Perhaps the easiest way to start is a recommended system in your price range from a audiophile friend, new or used from audiogon, or a great dealer. Then live with it for at least six months. Then begin to experiment, changing one thing at a time and leaving at least six months between major component changes. It really takes time to hear the effects of change throughout your entire music collection and personal moods. Be attentive to room effects throughout the process. Big smiles of satisfaction even weeks after making a change are a good sign you are on track. Change can be suggested by what you feel you would like more or less of, for example more detail, resolution or microdynamics or perhaps more warmth and bloom, or less stridency. Both source and speakers are where I tend to start, so that you have decent signal in and can hear effects with sufficient resolution through decent speakers. Avoid getting too bogged down in putting energy initally into wire or tweaks. They do effect things a good bit but are helpful more after you have the basic source, pre, amp, speaker combo down fairly well. What do you all think?
gammajo
acoustat6
357 posts
 
Hi Gammajo, Yes, for myself, since I only listen all out, it is important that the volume be set correctly. My suggestion is that when you do indeed sit down to listen that the system is set at a reference volume. This is something that takes awhile to find and in the beginning it itself can be a moving target. Ultimatly this is how I feel you can get your system to be at its best in terms of dynamics and frequency response. If you do listen non-critically do not attempt to adjust your system in any manor if you believe that the "one volume theory" is going to work for you.
You are also correct in your assement of not changing components or system tuning for a time period. It is important for you to get a handle on the sound and also a chance to listen to the music without driving yourself nuts and spinnning round in circles. Great advice
Bob
acoustat6
357 posts
 
P.S. This is mainly my "theory" though I have seen some references to it elsewhere on the net, though never here. I developed it though my constant listening sessions over the last couple of years and it does indeeed work very well for me. That being said I have never been able to convert anyone so I my be totally full of.....
Also here is a question for you how does one compare one recording against another if the volume changes and therefore the bass response of the system, room interaction or just the recording especially with LPs. How does one compare a system against another or even a new piece of equipment if you change the volume level by 3, 6 or 9db (or whatever) and have no audio memory of the sound at a reference level. There are many (other) implications in "my" theory.

Bob
gammajo's avatar
gammajo OP
849 posts
 
I wonder how accurate we are at maintaining a level volume sense. Perhaps we are pretty good at it naturally. We tend to modulate our speech to what is comfortable for others to listen to, and we have a keen sense if someone is talking at above or below average levels. We need to do this to determine the meaning and nuance of speech communication. We also use volume as a cue to judge distances. So we may be good at playing music night upon night at the same level without need for electronic instruments to tell us the db.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
isn't synergy the same as "i like the sound of my stereo system ?" also, what is considered a synergistic stereo system by one person may not be considered synergistic by another.

thus, it would seem that synergy is connotation for asystem whose "sound" pleases a listener. this means a stereo system is not inherently synergistic because its status is detrmined by the listener, rather than by any qualitative considerations.
gammajo's avatar
gammajo OP
849 posts
 
Often to me it is more consensual. Yes, the system owner is most important but often other people also are entranced by an excellent (synergistic system). It can be appreciated of people having way more expensive systems, as being exceptionally wonderful at its price point. It calls all who hear to sit down and listen.
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