Quest
For The Perfect Hi-fi System
Is there such a thing as the 'perfect' system?
How would we even define 'perfect'?
Is it really necessary to seek this perfect system?
Should we even bother?
One thing is for sure; even at times when we think something is almost
perfect, it is merely in waiting to get even better. A Hi-fi system is
no different. Remember though, perfection is not when there is nothing
more to add, rather when there is nothing left to take away. (Antoine
de Saint-Exupery)
System approach is just the same.
System design; is no different.
A
true Hi-fi system is not fashion, doesn't move with the trend and isn't
seasonal. It is simply an evolution towards the absolute; towards that
perfection.
To listen and to hear how a system evolves towards this perfection does
not require intensive training or conditioning of the mind. It is simply
instinctive. Forgetting the Hi-fi and listening to the music is the key.
...perfection is when there is nothing left to take away.
Setting up a system is critical in this quest. All components in the system have to be evaluated correctly. Each component must be given every chance to work in its 'comfort zone'. Patience, thoroughness, systematic approach and component knowledge are the virtues. Preconceived ideas, bias and inaccurate product knowledge that lead to premature judging; the killer bugs!
My method of setting systems up revolves around three main steps:
A - Start by following the Golden Rules
B - Identify the pivotal component(s)
C - Find the weakest link(s)
What are 'Golden Rules';
These are well proven, applicable to almost all systems; for example:
>> Finding out speaker positions in the room by experimentation and/or using formulas like odd 'harmonics' of room dimensions. (1/3, 1/5, 1/7 of the length and the width of the room)Following these rules ensures system components are given the chance to perform 'correctly' without any obvious mistakes in setup that would seriously impair component performance within that system.
>> Utilising rigid, preferably light and non-resonant equipment stands
>> Dressing Signal, Speaker and Mains cables
>>Paying attention to acoustics of the room and correcting by placing plants in bare corners; not leaving reflective surfaces between the speakers, and so on
What are 'Pivotal Components';
In a reasonably well setup system there may be a component that slightest
change in the setup, location, support or position of that component has
a profound influence in the overall performance of the system. Such a
component, I call Pivotal. A pivotal component can 'make' or 'break' the
performance of the whole system.
Important Notes:
>> In any given system, there may be more than one pivotal componentSpecial attention to the setup of a pivotal component will later prove invaluable in how enjoyable the system would be. For example in one system the record player could be a pivotal component. Then we have to ensure not only its general setup is spot on, but we should also ensure that all the ‘little’ things are evaluated and corrected. Things like the direction of the drive belt (e.g. a flat section belt could be placed inside out or even upside down). If there is a record mat that can be placed either way up; it should be checked and placed the correct way. Sometimes these parameters are relatively simple to identify and thus easily corrected. Sometimes we have to try by REPEATED listening to establish the correct setup. Either way listening to the music, realising the pleasure and the harmony it brings and evaluating the performance of the musicians is the key to understanding if we have got it right. Getting ‘it’ right is setting the pivotal component(s) up correctly. This is the key to a ‘working’ system. Systems with pivotal component(s) unaddressed, will tend to have ‘days’. They are often temperamental and ‘confusing’ when it comes to providing the pleasure in listening to music that we all seek.
>> The same component may not prove to be pivotal in another system or a different setup
How to identify the 'Weakest Link(s)';
This now, is rather more difficult. Of course, in an ‘Average’
system it is quite easy to find the weakest link(s), however with high
performance systems this task becomes more and more difficult; to the
point when evaluating a REALLY good system, one with correctly setup
pivotal component(s), it could take weeks, months or even years to
identify the weakest link!
Replacing the weakest link with a better, more appropriate, component
will always result in a far superior system and it could also become the
eye opener that restarts the whole 'evolutionary' process from the beginning.
Now isn't that fun!? And isn't this the reason that we can only quest
for the perfect system.
Identifying the weakest link is quite important. This is the component
that defines the performance threshold above which the system will not
be able to perform. Even if the other components are improved well beyond
the requirements of that system, their effect on the overall performance
will be highly limited and mostly questionable.
It should be noted that by 'performance' I am referring to the musical
content and not the sonic characteristics otherwise known as the 'Hi-fi'
aspect of the system. Unless this weakest link is replaced with a component
of similar 'calibre' relative to the rest of the system components, the
performance may not even be 'balanced'. This 'unbalance' is felt when
the system is not quite capable of playing varied types of music. In such
systems, many types of music will sound boring, lifeless or in certain
cases even unbearable.