The most important factors in sound reproduction- ranking

[NorthSky]

I agree to put the quality of the sound recording first. but this one is completely independent of our actions, we can do nothing about it.
on everything else, yes.

it's exactly the same with a dish you cook, the quality of the ingredients is paramount but if you don't know how to make the recipe it's useless?

Where the food is coming from, the food suppliers, how they raise stocks, how they garden the vegetables, tra-la-la all that organic natural healthy jazz.

 

[fredoamigo]

there are also other important factors after the fundamental criteria.
it's more important than the cables.

 

[Wombat]

1. Talented musicians.
2. Talented music recording engineers.
3. Talented music venues...halls, studios, clubs, churches, cabarets, etc.
4. Talented music recording machines.
5. Talented music listener.

Everything else in the music chain is important, eg.; cables, room acoustics, pure electronics without distortion, quality isolation for the components, quality audio signal paths, no noise...fans, air, fridges, humidifiers, electron separators, ...

Don't over complicate it.

 

[Wombat]

The putting it all into perspective perspective.

 

[Frank Dernie]

The music
The recording
The speakers
Where the speakers are in the room and/or room treatment
The rest is trivial to get right with modestly priced kit except record players if you plan to use one.

I'd rather listen to Bach on my phone speakers than rap on the best hifi in't world.

 

[Sal1950]

Indulgence in a bit of some quality smoke can make all the difference!

 

[svart-hvitt]

It’s in your head?

 

[FrantzM]

It’s in your head?

Then you need headphones ...

 

[Sal1950]

It’s in your head?

The smoke or the difference?
BOTH.

 

[restorer-john]

For me:

1: recording
2: device to play said recording accurately
3: amplification to increase level without introducing undesirable artifacts
4: transducers of satisfactory performance to reproduce (be they speakers or headphones)
5: room positioning/treatment if speakers are used.

 

[solderdude]

My ranking. What is yours?

1. Two ears and the brain
2. Room acoustics and loudspeakers
3. The recording
4. Electronics
5. Cables, connectors, fairy dust

1. Two ears and the brain
2. The recording
3. Room acoustics & loudspeakers or headphones & EQ
4. Electronics
5. Cables, connectors, fairy dust

 

[cjfrbw]

Melts me into my listening chair like a glob of paralyzed, fascinated, transfixed putty.