2. misc-audio
  3. 119048-543

Which system would you rather have?

Which system would you like better? A system that offers one or two sonic attributes that are truly just "outstanding", but which comes at the expense of another sound category that is subpar, or a more balanced across the board system that may not rise above merely "excellent" in any category, but that does not really fall much below it anywhere either?

(Or would you rather take what's behind door number 3: truly "outstanding" in Every category and all the financial ruin that goes with it...)

I will go first. For myself, I believe the longer I've been at this game maybe the more I've come to appreciate a system that is well balanced across the board - even if nothing in particular is an overwhelming standout, and I may favor it especially so once all the sonic gremlins have been successfully tamed (no small thing that, sometimes). But, in my mind at least, maybe that comes the closest to anything I can point to as my "reference sound" anymore...or short of live music, anyway. Maybe the imbalance that I'm hearing in other systems these days is because most systems are simply "unfinished" and as such are in a state of flux. I'd say we can all appreciate how long it can sometimes take to consider a system truly finished. Maybe mine is unusual in that IS completed, I dunno, but I've now gravitated somehow toward more balanced, even if it must therefore be less spectacular in some particular regard. I find the better balance distracts me less when listening, when any shortcomings are not there to remind me that I'm listening to equipment rather than the performance...and even when no particular attribute, while it can certainly be wonderful to pay attention to in its own right, may actually be working to upstage the others, keeping all the musical facets from being on the same page. More of gestalt thing, perhaps. Or maybe it's just me. Anyone else feel like this??...or disagree??

128x128ivan_nosnibor

Showing 1 response by lynott

lynott
87 posts
 
Without going into the gory details, I spent a TON on this hobby, trying to achieve a system that was truly outstanding in all parameters. But, over time, it became increasingly clear to me that "outstanding" is a relative term. What may be outstanding and superior reproduction to me might not be to others, but for a long time, I wanted to shock and amaze with my system, and I became disillusioned when others didn't necessarily feel the same way I did about my rig.

Now I'm with you. I seek balance rather than fireworks (and internal satisfaction rather than externally derived satisfaction). Sure, fireworks are nice, and they tend to draw the attention of the ear more quickly than does a balanced system, but for me, at my age and after the experiences I've been through, I'm willing to forgo the WOW (all caps, knock you between the eyes) for the wow (lowercase and less obvious, but still impressive if one listens carefully). 

I've lived with my current system for several years now, and have zero plans to make any major changes. It's a thoughtfully assembled, high-performing rig that, while it may not scale Olympian heights in any one parameter, gets the overall WHOLE right. That's most important to me at this point in my audiophile journey.

More to discover