The basis of a good-sounding stereo system is not a large investment in ‘better’ devices.
Of course, with a larger budget, we can get better, sometimes even spectacular results.
Unfortunately, much more often, despite the PLN 30,000 spent – PLN 100,000, and often even much higher amounts, the game is … so-so and colloquially speaking, there is nothing to hang on the ear.
It may be liked, but it is usually due to the not very large comparative scale of the owner of such a system, what he read in the reviews and what was properly presented in the store.
1. The audio system is playing, so:
loudspeakers + amplifier + source + wiring and then all so-called voodoos such as fuses, anti-vibration stands, etc.
Replacing the amplifier with a better one, which usually means more expensive, or buying a new DACa / streamer for nothing if the columns are poor, demanding, or they just don’t have the characteristics you’re looking for
2. The system plays in the acoustics of your room
Columns that are to stand against the wall in the living room, differently for a dedicated room, are selected in a completely different way.
Something else will work in a close field, something else in the next.
You choose jazz columns differently than for rock or electronics.
This is why the listening sessions in stores can be so deceptive and the whole thing plays completely differently at home.
If the column clearly does not fit the room, the electronics will not correct their shortcomings even for PLN 500,000, and expensive cables will not do it, or the replacement of lamps like uJack
3. More expensive is not better
As I said at the outset – a larger budget = greater possibilities. But the more neutral elements with a great bandwidth and less distortions in the track – the greater the importance of cables, acoustics and what material we listen to.
A perfect example of many music lovers is the case of the legendary onesJM Lab Mini Utopia. Even though I had some really nice amplifiers and years of fun behind me – I just couldn’t get a good sound out of them and I achieved much better results with much cheaper loudspeakers.
If we arrange ourselves with a ‘such’ difficult / audiophile loudspeaker in a not entirely perfect room – we may quickly want to continue playing, or it will consume much more than we assumed.
Finally – many expensive systems play simply completely dispassionately and a very similar sound effect can be achieved by using much cheaper components.
You have to assess well what you can and cannot do in such a room.
Many times at the beginning of my adventure, when I was convinced that I was buying this amplifier, or these loudspeakers, it turned out that I liked the sound of the previous set much more.
Only with a few pairs of loudspeakers, cables and amplifiers (preferably also sources) you can see how perverse these games and changes ‘for the better’ can be..
If you are looking for audio equipment – you want to change something or buy a new stereo (hi-end or vintage) and you do not feel confident in it – write:karol@audio-architect.euor visitaudio-architect.eu
Examples of consultations:
Marek – We are looking for a tube amplifier for outstanding Living Voice
Jacek – case study of a lost music lover who became an audiophile
Thanks to this, this place can work independently, and you wander less. 😉
