- I have had the opportunity to visit some of my friends homes, including some forumites (and some still pending) and they mine, and came up with the following considerations :
- YOUR EARS. They are your most important listening tools, take good care of them. Visit your doctor and de-wax them as and when required. The first step is to check them. Watch the SPLs' - they can cause long term or worse, permanent damage. Couple to your ears, try to listen to your music when you are in a positive, relaxing mood. Try not to implement changes when not in a relaxed mood (the most costly, expensive changes can happen in this mode.)
- SETUP. Your setup is extremely important. As a rule use the manufacturers recommendations. As a base reduce the clutter, size of equipment between and behind your speakers. They do affect the sound in a largely negative way.
- ROOM ACOUSTICS. The least understood with the most benefits of maximising your sound, and at the same time the most difficult to implement. Their size/real estate, materials, WAF, aesthetics, etc all play a major role in the implementation/non-implementation. This is the single most important implementation that far outweighs the other improvements you could make.
- COMPONENT SYNERGY. As in room acoustics, not understood properly. Using one manufacturers products does not preclude good sound or guarantee synergy. Mix and match your components, certain solid state amps respond well with certain valve preamps and vice versa, certain cd players need a dac to perform well, others not, certain cables can be mixed in the chain, others not, and so forth.. There is a certain level when assembling your system where it becomes quite easy to discern the impact or changes a specific component can make , when put in the chain.
- HAVE PATIENCE. Get a good grip on your system. Take your time with it, maximise the full potential of it before deciding on the next move. Know your system(s) and individual components strengths and weaknesses.
- ACCEPT INPUTS, RECOMMENDATIONS, CRITICISMS. Accept all inputs but remember this - It is your listening room/enviroment and yours alone! You live in it day in and day out and (it should be) tuned to your listening ears!
- UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ACHIEVE. Precise imaging, a huge soundstage, an intimate or a proud vocal delivery, focused chamber music versus a large sweeping orchestral sound, etc.. They all require specific setups to achieve max results. There are always trade offs between one or the other, and note, they are all not exclusive from each other. Some of them will manifest themselves when trying to achieve one or another parameter or outcome.
- ACCESSORIES/CABLES/ETC... They make a difference. Let the naysayers have their say and day. At the same time do not believe everything you see or being offered out there. There's tons of snake-oil. Judicious purchases, where posiible tested for an extended period (think borrow here where possible) can make a subtle and yes sometimes major improvement. Use with care, and be surprised!
The above is but a few insights I have learned and cemented over the last few weeks. - YOUR EARS. They are your most important listening tools, take good care of them. Visit your doctor and de-wax them as and when required. The first step is to check them. Watch the SPLs' - they can cause long term or worse, permanent damage. Couple to your ears, try to listen to your music when you are in a positive, relaxing mood. Try not to implement changes when not in a relaxed mood (the most costly, expensive changes can happen in this mode.)
