2. analog
  3. 1202841904

System Synergy Theory

Are the attributes of a component generally aggregate? i.e. if a phono stage has a slow bass transient response and a cartridge has a slow bass transient response � does that mean the sound will be twice as slow relatively speaking. Another example would be a cartridge that sounds airy, but tends to be lean with a bit of harshness in the upper octaves paired with an amplifier that is slightly on the lean side will the sound now be even more lean and harsh?

OR

Do components generally adhere to the �weakest link� theory when paired. i.e. if a phono stage has a slow bass transient response and a cartridge has slow bass transient response � the bass transient would only be as slow as the weakest link in the chain when paired. Same with the other example; is the bright cartridge paired with the bright amplifier only as bright as the weakest link in the chain.

Knowing this would go a long way in helping interpret reviews and estimating how components will match up. Obviously the ultimate is to listen for yourself, but there are far too many components and combinations to try. You could spend a lifetime and still not get through all the possible combinations. Perhaps it depends on the component. Maybe phono stages are aggregate, while amplifiers subscribe to the weakest link theory.


Any thoughts��..
carter9000

Showing 2 responses by aball

aball
2,016 posts
 
From a technical standpoint, the former is definitely true and is so for any piece of equipment in a series chain. This is also why there are so many proponents for "source first" system installations because they feel signal quality goes irrevocably down hill from there.

However I have also had two components with similar sonic signatures that when mated together were altogether different - so there is more to it than simple time-domain effects in some cases. But in the end, I only had that happen once so I think you can rely on your first assessment with confidence.

Arthur
aball
2,016 posts
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Acoustics & synergy are one of the most ignored aspects by
audiophiles that claim their superior knowledge & know-how.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Amen to that - especially with speakers. It gets my goat when I see a reviewer assess large speakers as well as small speakers in the same room! Then they have the audacity to say that the small speakers are too bright and don't have enough bass! It is as if they have no idea what they are doing. I understand that no reviewer can have several different rooms to match speaker size but then why not choose a reviewer than has an appropriately sized room for a given speaker review?

As for the electronics, it is easy to control when only one component gets swapped out in a familiar system. But then their comments remain absolute! There is rarely a direct comparison made which at least would have some relative meaning to the reader. But I have to say that the American magazines are getting better in this regard than they used to be (Bob Reina has always done a great job with making comparisons).

Synergy falls along those same lines - you need a lot of equipment and patience to try a review component in several different circumstances. Although my hat's off to Hifi+ for reviewing complete systems that they have come across that offer a special synergy. Those cases where 1+1=3 are rare but exist and hearing about them is really cool and meaningful when taken as a whole.

So with all this in mind, reviews are great as long as you don't believe everything you read. Only the general gist is worth retaining.

My final comment is about all reviews being good. Based on my cover-to-cover reading of every Stereophile and Hifi+, as well as most TAS, I have to disagree. It is fun to say but that isn't truly the case. Michael Fremer does a good job of making his dislikes known, and so does Art Dudley - at least of late. And the British boys are great at it - they state pros and cons for everything, which doesn't put any company on the spot since all design compromises get outlined. This latter method is the only way to politically handle the situation since a review can make or break a small hifi company. But none of this is an exact science so keep a grain of salt handy nevertheless.

Arthur
More to discover