Words from the Wise -Part 2

1. Do not listen to components as isolated units. Learn what combinations work well together and why. Great plant combinations, not great plants make the truly unforgettable garden.

2. Remember that there is no right answer, just what you are prepared to work at. Have a goal for your system. No one system will work equally well on all types of music.

3. Always do your listening with recordings you know extremely well. The novelty of new music will cloud your judgement.

4. Establish listening criteria and take notes. Otherwise you will remember only how you felt after listening.

5. Well built equipment is beautiful. Build something beautiful.

Marty- Why the hell would I do something like that?!?!?!

I like Blueswan's suggestions.

The only thing I would add is whether or not the system makes your feet tap. This is the coup de grace for me.

Sometimes you can get caught up being too structured in listening. You may satisfy your conscious mind, but music must also speak to your subconscious.

The first thing I do when auditioning equipment is read a magazine while listening to one of my favorite CDs. Significant differences will still catch your attention, but reading a magazine will distract you from hyper analyzing things. If you focus too much, sometimes you end up hearing things you want or expect to hear. It's human nature.

Of course, this is also a great way to test the "toe tap" philosophy. If you're tapping your toes while reading the magazine, odds are the system is doing something right.

I've screened out alot of expensive equipment with that simple first test. If I didn't notice a significant difference or it didn't make my feet tap, it went back to the store.

Judit,
In your 3rd guideline what would you suggest to my situation when the music that I didn't listen for a month or two I consider new due to the huge collection that very often changes for something new?:-)