What does Flat earth mean to you?

[markf]

So if we have to pick an old mantra to stay on the good side of the AOS ethos, I'll
pass on your new "flat earth" and stick with the "source first".

[alfie2902]

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

[The Vinyl Adventure]

So if we have to pick an old mantra to stay on the good side of the AOS ethos, I'll
pass on your new "flat earth" and stick with the "source first".

It's certainly a safer bet!

[Marco]

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.

[Themis]

Eaqually you can't build a house on sand!
It's better to have stronger foundations ie better souce than have a solid roof ie speakers
that's at least how I see it!

The only difference, Hamish, is that speakers are not the roof... !!!

[Themis]

So if we have to pick an old mantra to stay on the good side of the AOS ethos, I'll
pass on your new "flat earth" and stick with the "source first".

Well, I guess everybody has his own ways of achieving system balance.

Why is it so important in giving a rule like "cables first" or "preamp first" or whatever "first" ?

[The Vinyl Adventure]

So if your speakers are wrong then take the roof off ... Right?
there is always going to be complications but starting at a good source still remains the most logical route! Get the source right and you know that what ever you add at least the source isn't the problem .. It's one less thing worry about

[Marco]

Absolutely, and that's precisely what I've always done

Thing is, if a room is really bad and your chosen speakers just aren't working in it, then the detrimental effect of that will far outweigh any benefit a good source component makes....

Like Dimitri alludes to, forget 'first anything' and simply prioritise things equally. Remember that you're building a system, not a disparate collection of boxes.

Marco.

[Themis]

Get the source right and you know that what ever you add at least the source isn't the problem .. It's one less thing worry about

You know, hamish, most digital sources since the ASRC circuits exist (1998) are "right" and you don't really need to worry about. Look at the Caiman, a £250-dac : do you think it is a source to worry about ?

[Marco]

Hi Dimitri,

Just out of interest, what DACs have you compared the Beresford to? Have you heard it outperform something significantly more expensive?

I ask because it's always useful to know what someone's current benchmark has been judged against

Marco.