And the biggest influence on sound quality is...

The quality of the recording itself.

Then the room, the setup, the speakers, and lastly the front end.

I've got recordings that make my system sound horrible, and I've got recordings that make my system sound absolutely wonderful.

None of the gear changes have had that much impact on sound quality.

tomcarr03-26-2025 8:33pm

audiorusty Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 295 posts 03-26-2025 at 09:58pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I would put the room first, quality of the recording and then speakers third, though I am not 100% sure what you mean by the set-up.
tomcarr OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,587 posts 03-26-2025 at 10:11pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete @audiorusty Hello. By setup I meant the position of the speakers and the listening seat.
audiorusty Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 295 posts 03-26-2025 at 10:49pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete That is what I was thought you meant. Thanks for clarifying.
baylinor Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 1,498 posts 03-26-2025 at 11:06pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete The room before the quality of the recording as there is nothing anyone of us can do about that. After the room, everything matters equally if you are really wanting to get a real hifi rig.
overthemoon Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 460 posts 03-26-2025 at 11:33pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete What about the listener? Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, isn’t it?