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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?
128x128gammajo
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
846 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.
acoustat6
357 posts
 
Hi, I think that synergy has more to do with making your systems components work together the best that they can. You cannot make your system sound like something it is not capable of or make it sound like someone elses system even if you have the same components. So I guess that its "I like my system because I have made it to sound the way I like to listen and have the componets act in synergy with each other".
I try to offer info which can help on this musical journey not to hinder anyones progress down that road.
Bob
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi acoustat6:

there are two parts to your comment. the first concerns creating a "sound" that pleases the owner. the second deals with synergy of components. isn't there a redundancy here ?

the existence of a synergy is determined by the listener. if a listener perceives a synergy than there is a synergy.

the fact that other listeners disagree only means that synergy is based upon perception and since people hear differently and have different tastes there will be disagreement as to whether synergy is present or not present.

what does it mean to say that components work well with each other , if it does not depend upon taste and perception ?

this hobby is based entirely upon subjectivity. yes, there are objective measurements, but those measurements do not necessarily correlate with preference.
acoustat6
357 posts
 
Hello, I think what I was trying to get at was that a system of components can get to a level that is optimized perhaps as best that it can be, within its limitations that are inherent in any design. Secondly that a good listener can bring out certain good points of a system to improve his listening experience and also suit his listening goals and preferences.
Bob
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