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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?
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Showing 1 response by douglas_schroeder

douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Dice the word: Syn= "with" or "together" and ergy (or ergon in the Greek) = "deed, action, accomplishment, work"

The term is justifiable in describing the fact that certain components simply sound better together than other combinations.

The concept of synergy is transferable to relationships; in a round-about way the synergy of audiophile/spouse relations has been discussed here at times.

However, let us not believe that there is a magical, wondrous effect from certain combinations of components. You get what you get from each one, and when a superior combination of components results, you get great sound. Now, is that particular combination better than any other given combination? That's where the individuality of audiophilia comes in, much like personal preferences for art. So, in the end, it is my contention that all of us form our opinions/preferences based at least in part on someone ELSE's concept of synergistic sound.
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