There is a much closer relationship with money and sound than there is with specs and sound.
A mid level solid state amp could have the same specs as a more expensive tube amp, but the more expensive amp would sound much better.
When you get to extremes in specifications, you will also get to extremes in the quality of the audio, as well as the price. (so far, this has been my experience)
If you can audition the equipment, you don't have to know anything about specifications, just go with what ever sounds the best, and google for quality of the product; but if that's not possible it will be necessary for you to learn something about specifications. Now, you have to hear what you read.
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This is a very important conversation, and the reason it's so important is because there are few, if any "High end salons".
So many different sounds with the same specifications, and even similar high prices; especially speakers.
There are so many things I would like to hear and try, but since I can't audition, I'm forced to stick with the tried and proven, but even that's not guaranteed. With so many wild cards in the deck, you have to read yourself silly before making a decision.
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teo_audio, I know a lot about high end audio, but I know very little about "room acoustics". At this late date I'm not going to try to learn; what professional services would I need to treat my listening room, and what do you think would be the cost?
By your post, I have assumed that you might know the answer to these questions?
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The best audio I've ever heard in my life was quite simple, it was all top of the line ARC electronics including ARC "CD" player, with top of the line Theil speakers.
This was in a "high end salon" where they had a small theater that was professionally treated for the best acoustics. (who knows how much that had to do with the sound)
This was in 91 or 92, it was before the vinyl craze. I chose the CD, Santana's "Abraxas". I bought that LP in 1970, and wore out many copies since that time, so to say that I was familiar with the music is an understatement.
On this occasion, I heard sounds and music that I've never heard before nor since; it was like being on the set while it was being recorded and being in the same space with the musicians.
Since this was in 91 or 92, that shouldn't be too hard to recreate now, but I got a feeling that the room set up and the people required to do it might cost more than the equipment.
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This thread has made me aware of the fact that these are some "strange times"; I was considering a Herron phono, but they're no longer being manufactured.
Since I can't audition speakers, and I'm familiar with "Thiel" speakers, I was considering them, but they are no more.
Recently, I received a DAC that was DOA, and they charged me a restocking fee when I sent it back. Maybe my best bet is to just be content with what I have.
Yes, I'm quite familiar with both CJ and ARC; I like CJ pre amps, but I like ARC power amps better.
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Speakers are the riskiest purchase without an audition, and specs will not tell you what a speaker sounds like. I've heard many of the best speakers that are discussed here, and they are all over the place when it comes to how they sound. Since I like the speakers I got, and I have back problems which makes wrestling with heavy speakers out of the question (setting them up and sending them back) The only option I have is to buy and keep, or leave them alone.
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Ages ago I relied heavily on specifications; that was when I was into SS. Once I discovered how much better tubes sounded, even when SS had better specs, I quit relying so heavily on specs.
Impedance is a very important spec for apparent reasons. Presently, I have plans on the drawing board that I don't think will include auditions. In the past, auditioning would have been the first step. Now that high end salons are no longer an option, I'll be relying heavily on past knowledge of "sonic signatures"; such as the difference between CJ and ARC, instead of auditioning; also the "Stereophile" reviews will mean a lot; preferably only "A" ranked equipment. All of that of course will depend on an "A" ranked bankroll, which is pending.
Since auditioning is absolutely out of the question, I will rely heavily on past knowledge, plus reviews, and only the most important specs. I've noticed that within a certain price range, specs are very close.
Fortunately, if the pending bankroll does not materialize, I'll remain comfortably in place. As a footnote, I noticed everything I own costs over twice as much now.
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Since there is no way you can audition equipment, you have to go by what you read. Presently, I'm making some important and expensive for me upgrades, and partially, I'm going by "history" of the name, and is it currently in production.
"Herron Phono" is no longer in production, so that's been scratched off, but I have yet to find a replacement.
If the specs of two different amps are the same, and your hearing is not as good as it once was, you probably couldn't tell the difference in a blind test.
Even if a CJ amp and an ARC amp had the same specs, they would sound different, but not everyone can hear the difference.
Before I spend any money, I'm going to an "audiologist"; one must begin at the beginning.
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No one put cost of the product as a factor? I guarantee you, that might be one of the most important factors. If the specs are the same, and one product costs five times more than the other, which do you buy?
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