Some synergies synergize more than other synergies

Cartridge/phono stage - good synergy is critical, a mismatch could land you anywhere from unpleasant to unlistenable to actual system damage (unlikely but not impossible)

Cartridge/tonearm - good synegy is critical, a mismatch probably wouldn't break anything, but it won't sound very good either

Tonearm/turntable - not quite as vital as the above, though some arms need a good solid table to drain resonances while a few are so heavy that a suspended table would be challenged to maintain proper balance and isolation

Table/electronics or table/speakers - largely a matter of taste and budget, not much actual synegy going on between these more widely seperated components

While it's true that a system is only as good as its weakest link, it's also true that a disproportionate upgrade of some components works better than a disproportionate upgrade of others.

Excessively good cartridge - on a lesser table or arm is frequently a sonic disaster, this too common error allows you to hear all the shortcomings of the cheap arm or table, not a happy experience

Excessively good tonearm - on a cheap table will be similar to a too good cartridge, though less so, still not a good idea

Excessively good table - with a cheaper arm and/or cheaper cartridge works quite well, the table provides the environment in which arm and cartrige must work, the better the environment the better they'll play, you may not hear all the table is capable of, but you won't have any problems either. If you have to go overboard, this is a safe component to do it with.

Excessively good phono stage - with a cheaper table/arm/cartridge is rarely a problem, unless the table is a real POS

Great phono stages and tables are nearly always safe moves. Great arms require a great table. Great cartridges require a great everything. Don't make the mistake of upgrading the cartridge above the level of table, arm or phono stage. You'll probably regret it.

__________
"Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - JRRT

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Importance of matching a turntable w/ other hi-fi components? - xyyyy 17:01:32 09/18/06 (14)

Re: Importance of matching a turntable w/ other hi-fi components? - profbrookes 02:10:19 09/19/06 (3)

Are you the manufacturer or the distributor? If either, you should register as such - artemus 06:29:35 09/19/06 (2)

Re: Are you the manufacturer or the distributor? If either, you should register as such - profbrookes 06:35:25 09/19/06 (1)

Your site looks very professionally done and would be easily thought of as a dealer's site upon first glance. - artemus 06:50:09 09/19/06 (0)

Some synergies synergize more than other synergies - Doug Deacon 20:56:10 09/18/06 (2)

Re: Some synergies synergize more than other synergies - artemus 21:33:56 09/18/06 (1)

I just wanted a thrill... - Doug Deacon 09:25:30 09/19/06 (0)

The systems performance will be no better than its weakest link - artemus 18:33:24 09/18/06 (0)

Very very important... - Older Brother Gert 17:48:14 09/18/06 (0)

It's ALL synergy - table, arm, cart, phono pre, amp, speakers. - HenryH 17:06:28 09/18/06 (4)

good point and concise. Synergy is where the total - jefe 06:01:10 09/19/06 (0)

Do Japaneese Direct DriveTurntables work------- - xyyyy 19:42:35 09/18/06 (2)

Try a Micro-Seiki... - George Mann 06:59:08 09/20/06 (0)

The better ones do. Like the Technics SL-12XX series. /nt\ - HenryH 19:59:21 09/18/06 (0)

Follow Ups

Some synergies synergize more than other synergies - Doug Deacon 20:56:10 09/18/06 (2)

Re: Some synergies synergize more than other synergies - artemus 21:33:56 09/18/06 (1)

I just wanted a thrill... - Doug Deacon 09:25:30 09/19/06 (0)

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