|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
|
|
General Asylum General audio topics that don't fit into specific categories. |
|
In Reply to: RE: Abe, You Stated Above... posted by riboge on August 6, 2012 at 07:43:58:
The only thing I am "evading" is wasted time, imo. The reason I continue to discuss it at all is that perhaps some others will have their eyes opened to the futility of such rankings.
A ranking on power would perhaps place the power conditioner and robustness of power supplies for particular components, then maybe the quality of cabling, especially power cables, ahead of other considerations. I happen to at this time eschew component power conditioners and filters because I have found them to be as subtractive as additive to the sound.
A ranking on Signal Flow would largely follow the signal path, especially starting with the source. I have over the years grown far more appreciative of the absolute need for an extremely good source, so if I were to rank components by class the source would likely come in at or near the top. But then again, there can be several elements to a good source. Currently I use for non-file playback a transport, DAC and am reviewing a reclocker. All three are critical, and selecting which one would be most critical would be nothing more than preference, and would say nothing about the class of products in general.
The Manufacturer Quality paradigm is every bit as much a slippery slope. How does one compare the manufacturer quality of, say, a source to an amp when a manufacturer specializes in componentry? There is no way to conduct a direct comparison, so the selection of one as superior due to quality is entirely subjective.
It doesn't matter if any of those ranking schemes are better than another, because they are all fruitless. Not a one of them can be used to put together a superior rig with consistency; they all assure mediocrity as they assume some classes of components will be superior to others. The person working with that premise one would likely put less emphasis/money on the classes of components deemed less impactful, which would assure a far less than stellar result.
You are far from putting together a convincing argument why anyone should spend the time to rank classes of components.
How do I select components/put a system together for myself? I assume every single piece of gear which is in the signal path, whether box component, cable or speakers, is absolutely critical. I conduct simple comparisons between preamps, cable sets, DACs etc. Winners stay, losers go (Within reason, as some incredible pieces I simply cannot afford.). By simply upgrading each link in the system over time the system becomes marvelous. The key is an absolute rejection of any small/incremental improvement, as that will keep your rig closer to marginal results than push it ahead toward superior results.
I add an additional criterion; every piece I own I have used in multiple systems consisting of other gear I use. The equipment I deem worthwhile to hold is good for not just one rig but for two or three rigs which I can assemble. I don't spend time worrying about how good a component is compared to an entirely different class of components. I spend time pursuing a better example of the component in question. THAT is one method of moving consistently toward a superior rig.
I have had dozens of systems over the years and currently have four. My reference system has multiples of elements so that I can build high quality variants of my favorite systems. The supposed ranking would change for each rig, which is another example of why such lists are fairly worthless.
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Follow Ups
- Why Should I Rank My System When I Have Stated There Is No Advantage to Doing So?... - Doug Schroeder 13:48:30 08/06/12 (3)
- Because that is what the thread is about - riboge 14:57:54 08/06/12 (1)
- From What I Have Seen... - Doug Schroeder 17:29:41 08/06/12 (0)
- RE: Why Should I Rank My System When I Have Stated There Is No Advantage to Doing So?... - fmak 14:06:42 08/06/12 (0)
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
