Al trusts his technical instinct, I trust my 'audiophile' instinct.
First, wall current is 50% of success unless power supplies of the electronics are so robust and sophisticated that that makes virtually no difference. I am not mentioning batteries. This probably is never the case. So that's the first thing to reasonably get under control. Your Panamax is unlikely to cut it.
After that - the source. It is a driving force, if you don't feel it - no good. After that - speakers. To hell with the room to begin with - listen near field. You don't like their character - throw them out. The power amp or integrated. How well does it deliver that driving force coming from the source ? Then wires. Phono stage is part of the source.
It's not all that difficult with some experience, good ears and opportunity to try out a few components. If the latter is not possible it of course is more difficult.
My point is - there is no methodology in a scientific sense of it. It is too complex for any device to figure out but brain. Any computer is infinitely inferior to brain and mind.
First, wall current is 50% of success unless power supplies of the electronics are so robust and sophisticated that that makes virtually no difference. I am not mentioning batteries. This probably is never the case. So that's the first thing to reasonably get under control. Your Panamax is unlikely to cut it.
After that - the source. It is a driving force, if you don't feel it - no good. After that - speakers. To hell with the room to begin with - listen near field. You don't like their character - throw them out. The power amp or integrated. How well does it deliver that driving force coming from the source ? Then wires. Phono stage is part of the source.
It's not all that difficult with some experience, good ears and opportunity to try out a few components. If the latter is not possible it of course is more difficult.
My point is - there is no methodology in a scientific sense of it. It is too complex for any device to figure out but brain. Any computer is infinitely inferior to brain and mind.