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The Ten Rules of high-end audio

1. Room acoustics can make up to 50% of the final sound.
2. With cables you can only "tune" the sound: they don't make a flawed system sounding good.
3. Tweaks can change a system's sound, but a different sound doesn't have to mean that there is better sound.
4. System synergy is not brand dependent. It has a weak relation with the costs of the individual components. It has also a weak relation with the technical design of the components (for example tube or solid state amplification, cone based or ribbon speakers).
5. It is better to have a good front end (where music reproduction begins) than to have very good speakers but only so so front end.
6. The importance of a clean AC power shouldn't be underestimated.
7. It is more worthwhile to invest in electronics and/or acoustics than in so called "tweaks".
8. It is better to strive for a "balanced" sound with some comprimizes than to strive for a "perfect" sound by frequently mixing and matching things. This way you will likely end up with a less satisfying sound.
9. Older high end components are not inferior to more contemporary units by definition. Some older units sound even better (= more musical) than the newer ones. This is also true with newer iterations of the same basic concept (Mk II, III, IV, etc).
10. When you are building up a high end system (or replacing units in your system) you should ask yourself two questions: What are the goals I'm striving for? What can I expect sonically from the component(s) I'm purchasing?

Comments please!

Chris
dazzdax
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
1) Prices have increased 10x or more, but regardless of price, "high end" audio has seen only marginal improvements since the 80's

2) Profit margins over 100% are inversely correlated to the integrity, credibility and trustworthiness of the manufacturer and/or distributor

3) Most tweaks have profit margins of 1000% or more

4) Usually, the quality of the music and performance is inversely correlated to the quality of the recording

5) Re the source vs speakers debate: no chain is stronger than its weakest link!

6) There is no such thing as too much good, clean power

7) Re dynamic vs planar speakers: whatever the debate, planars and electrostatics are far more COOL. (And they probably have better midrange.)

8) Audiophiles rarely say "it sounds wonderful and the music brings me joy, but I really wish the system had more 'extension' and/or 'resolution'"

9) Audiophiles often say "I dont enjoy the system - it sounds bright and fatiguing"

10) Analogue and vacuum tubes still rule

Cheers,

cwlondon
gawdbless's avatar
gawdbless
1,235 posts
 
Him-Why I really need to have a new pair of loudspeakers
Him-Why I really need to have a new pair of..............
Him-Why I really need to have a new pair.................
Him-Why I really need to have a..........................
Him-Why I really need to have............................
Him-Why I really need to.................................
Him-Why I really need....................................
Him-Why I really.........................................
Him-Why I................................................
HER-Why?.................................................
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
and remember the 11th rule:

there are no rules, only opinions.
cwlondon
1,210 posts
 
Rule 12)

"Audiophiles" who start threads where they:

a) Spontaneously gush about some no name, distribution challenged, garage built voodoo brand, particularly where they begin in a tone like: "Hey everyone, in my ongoing quest for public service and to spread joy, I just wanted all of you to know about a really great new product which has changed my life!"

b) "Bump" or reply to their own thread and ultimately make up more than 30% of the replies to their own thread in posts like: "No replies? What's the matter, are you telling me that no one wants to hear about the latest greatest stupidgood component in the history of the world?"

c) Invent new superlatives to describe the alleged performance of said voodoo brand

d) Say things like, I've owned Audio Research, Levinson, Jadis, etc but the XYZ Voodoo brand BLOWS THEM AWAY.

e) Constantly trash well known, well distributed and generally well respected audiophile brands

are, actually, NOT audiophiles.

No, they are manufacturers and/or distributors and or accomplices of manufacturers and/or distributors who are masquerading as audiophiles.

Cheers,

cwlondon
cdc
1,807 posts
 
Wilson ran his speakers with a Denon M-30 mini-system to prove a point.........
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