Hi Alfie,

I think a system is only as good as its weakest link,

but I must agree that anything lost at source cannot be put back

but then again neither can anything lost further down the chain be put back!

I mentioned earlier in the thread that last week I listened to a very expensive system. The most engaging system I've ever heard & should be at the price. The source componant only accounted for 3% of the systems price
What you say is 100% correct. I've also no doubt that the system you heard was excellent

As is usual with these things; the truth of the matter lies somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. Absolutist views one way or the other, in terms of source first or speakers first (or whatever first) are unlikely to produce the best result, so the answer is to seek a balanced approach.

Quite simply, there is no universal 'best way' of building a system!

However, in saying that, if the speaker/room interaction is wrong (and I mean 'wrong' from an acoustic point of view due to the shape and/or structure of the room) then you're f*cked no matter what's going on further down the chain...

In those circumstances, one needs to work backwards (perhaps also try some room treatments); or preferably put the system in a better room (or move house)!

Marco.