Nelson Pass, and Steve Deckert have inspired me to go down the road of elegant simplicity. Good source, quality, straightforward, connections, well designed minimalist amplifiers, and even simple speakers, baffleless, no crossover Lii audio F15‘s. it has all yielded excellent sound. Thank you to them, and all of you who buck the trend toward complication and voodoo componentry.
Is simpler better?
I have been adding components in my audio systems and subtracting as well at times. Over some time now, I wondered if I hear better resolution, dynamics, clarity and get closer to the recorded music when I keep the path short and simple. I mean one source, one integrated amp and to the speakers. Or even a digital component to a DAC then to the integrated amp and finally to speakers. Bypassing the preamp or in some cases bypassing a separate DAC. It certainly elimates the need for redundant volume or gain, reducing wires or cables, reducing the chance for incompatible components and keeping the path short.
For those using turntable(s), does the combination of phono preamp, platter, tonearm, cartridge, motor, isolation get to be too much to manage? To get the best sound?
Your thoughts? Your experience?