I suspect most of us or many of us here at least have done that plenty of times and know the pitfalls of such an approach.
If you value high fidelity, and buy a chain of components that individually measure as high fidelity (Flat FR, noise and distorition below audibility) - then you will end up with a transparent high fidelity system.
It is not so simple to buy all component in flat FR, noise and distortion below audibility and end up high fidelity system. Very likely end up an inaccurate system. Individual they may be accurate, but adding into chain of component they will behave oddly, impedance matching between these component will be a challenge. Listen to more setup, go for shows, audition in shops. You will know it is not that simple.
Can you give an example? I mean, sure, impedance mismatching is a thing, but between which decent components exactly is this going to be an actual audible problem, and how would that be remedied?
No they won't. Buy individually accurate components, and they won't behave oddly. Not if the measurements are correct and suitable for the application. Impedance matching is a nonsense. EVERY piece of modern decent electronics has a low sending impedance into a high receiving impedance, so no problems with impedance. As to loudspeakers, just get an amplifier with sufficient output, rated into the loudspeakers' minimum impedance. Again, no matching issues. What you're suggesting is buying what you like the sound of. In order to do that, the system needs to have a sound, and therefore can't be accurate.
I never heard a setup base on these factors and end up high fidelity system. Or anyone fav about it. Very component there is a compromise. Unless you have 2C3D, that you get four company to work on the solution. Breakup, it is nether here or there.
In the end, you have to buy off base on sound. Not reading from graph and hit the buy icon or go the shop and foot the money straight away. If you really did that, it is your choice.
Fair enough ,but I'm really looking for practical examples here. Like, name the gear. So, assuming you do have heard setups which are ok, what were the components and what made them work together better?
Yes, an ideal system will only have the 'sound' of whatever recording you're playing on it. If you have 500 recordings you'll have 500 different sounding systems.
With my current system, I can work some more. Not in hurry. Everything still work and enjoyable. As hobby, I still keep track especially on Class D amps. I'm using Equator Audio Q8 and having Yamaha MPS7 as backup system. Using Focusrite Scarlett as audio interface as audio interface. Yup, I am using for DAW. My former setup was Pioneer DVD player with YBA integrated with Martin Logan Ascent. Cable mostly DIY, monster cable, some given to me, Belden cables. I used to attend hifi shows. Really don't mind paying the tickets. Listen to Wilson Audio, Mark, Krell, Goldmound, MBL, Audio Note......etc listen to their systems were enjoyable.
Sorry but none of this really supports the notion that some components work better together than others. You're just listing gear and saying things like 'degradation in micro detail' which doesn't really mean anything. Rememer you originally said 'Individual they may be accurate, but adding into chain of component they will behave oddly', but have yet to come up with a practical example of when/how this happened. And when speakers com into play, the room is the thing which has a very large influence, but that is not what this is about. Unless you actually meant 'you can have all the best equipment but put in in a crappy room and then the result will be crappy' of course, then we're in agreement.
Of course if you want to be in the camp of flat respond, noise and distortion beyond audible. Confidence with just looking at graphs. You can go ahead, purchase and ensemble such system too. I respect your decision. This hobby is endless wormholes.
Loop again for your so call FR, noise and distortion beyond audible argument. Sure go and buy FR 8361A. I may want to buy 8351B. For me and DAW work will tweak it, cannot trust everything on calculation need to do signal sweep test.
It's interesting that audiophiles (especially the subjectivist type) seem to think that everyone is caught up in this constant loop of changing components, adding new cables, replacing power supplies, adding signal cleaners, etc., all just to become disillusioned and start looking for the next upgrade.
Why would anyone want to be in any other camp (and this is the important bit) as a starter for their system? Then you can tweak at source using DSP to take account of mood, room etc etc.
I walk between audiophile and studio work. Not big deal. I trust my ear. Years of listening and tweaking. I'm only not alone. Many teenager if they could, have already own studio monitor, headphone, audio interface. Build up to trust their ears. They can read graphs and went to listen to the actual system. Build hi fi system for leisure. They can be flat respond earthing and audiophile too. No big deal.
