the quest for the best--within limits

i think the basic issue is there is no best in audio. there will always be disagreement as to the superiority of one component over another.

what is best for one is not best for another, as there are many variables which determine what is best for a person with a particular stereo system.

when a discipline is subjectively based, e.g., art, music, literature and cuisine.

there are many algorithms that are implicitly used to evaluate what is experienced.

thus, having different standards for judging, makes it impossible to determine what is best.

further , sense perception is unreliable and varies from listener to listener, making the concept of what is best a useless exercise.

what is usually substituted for best is sentiment what someone likes most is usually what a person connotes by the term "best".

ok fremch fries, i will take your gambit.

i like quad esls because, i find that within a certain frequency range, they sound closer to a real instrument than any other speaker. yes they have limitations--they are bass deficient and it is not advisable to exceed certain spl levels. some say they are not sufficiently extended. i don't agree , but i respect the criticism.

i have a favorite amp, namely the conrad johnson mv125. i find its richness and never sounding unpleasant, make it an amplifier suitable for most speakers. it too can be critiqued. it has the classic tube sound, which some do not like.

my ravorite preamp is the mcintosh c22. agin, a component not in production.

these three components have in common a vary personal taste. i would not say that either component is the best . all i can do is try to accurately describe why i favor them and say something about their "sound".

so i agree, that "best" is a term that should not be used.

instead, just say "favorite", or "i like very much".

i would not advise anyone to pursue the components.

i respect differences in taste and i think there are many "great" stereo systems that come in different "flavors".

as i live in the ny area and have gone to many shows, including ces, i am willing to expound on what i have heard, so long as my comments reflect my taste and perception.