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Finding the 'weakest link' when upgrading?

Being able to find the weakest link when upgrading is really, really important.
Otherwise a different new component may never really be able to show how it is better. Since the other ’weak’ component(s) is(are) masking the new components better sound.

This is a difficult problem.

My best example is not exactly about the least sound quality, but it may show something about it.
I upgraded a good portion of my equipment all at once when I retired. And I still had in my system an old DAC I bought used. When I received most of the new components (including new preamp, new amp, new speakers and a new turntable and cartridge), I was comparing my old DAC with the new one. And found no sonic difference. I mean I tried every way I could and could not hear any difference between them/ So either I just wasted $25,000 for nothing or?? I was very frustrated.
Anyway, after three weeks I got another new bit which had to be ordered and built
.
When I plugged in the phono box, an epiphany and a flood ot tears.. My $25,000 of new equipment really was better. Since the phono box sounded glorious, thus it made it clear all the rest of the system WAS NOT holding back the new DAC. That new DAC was actually just not any better than my old one. And I returned it.

And unless I just happened to acquire that new phono box a week later, I would have been stumped why the new DAC (which was praised to the skies by both Stereophile and TAS) was not doing better.
I was seriously bummed and confused about wasting a ton of money... until I played the new phono box.

Now it was kind of odd that the two DACs, one, used for $250 )it’ original list price was $1,000) and the other $2,400 and 12 years newer) could sound so alike. But chance happened. (And toss in the official guru magazine praise with it all)
==================================================================

Anyway, how do we find the right part to upgrade? Since making the wrong choice can leave one in the same boat I was in back in my example? (at least until I got the phono box)

I do not have an answer. and I ask.. does anyone?
For me it is just kind of a sixth sense, with little real science to it.

In general I have been kind of lucky.
But how do I know I have managed well?

I do not know.
It has been better more often than not.
(Though I have made a few really terrible choices over many years now and then. Costly choices)

Anyway, my question is how do you make the choice of what to upgrade?
How do you know or decide which is you weakest component?

And do you agree finding the weakest component is really important in the path of upgrading, or one might be making expensive mistakes buying gear, or trying gear? (which may really be great, yet you cannot hear it due to some other weak links in the chain? And though I hate to say so, this weak link may even be cables, or powercords or even the AC from the wall*.

*(but please do not get into a big theory arguments about interconnects and powercords and power conditioners.) Stick to the main topic of knowing how to find the weakest link.
elizabeth
gasbose's avatar
gasbose
48 posts
 
There's some great discussion here -- really glad I signed up for this forum!

I do agree that it would be great to "determine what you're looking for" or find out "what one really wants to have 'more of'..or 'less of'.'" But how do I know what my system could be with a change or two?  I've always been very happy with whatever system I had -- and amazed when I upgraded something and heard/felt the difference!!

I totally agree with the consensus here that speakers are the first bottleneck. I'd say the cartridge and preamp (if you have a vinyl system) are next. Then the amp. Interconnects , speaker cables... maybe. I'll upgrade from the generic plain-vanilla ones, but haven't heard a real difference -- maybe my system is just not sensitive enough.

And I can't agree at all with Willenj about the superiority of digital sources; they're convenient, but still inferior even to my mid-fi vinyl system.

I do look forward to other and different opinions!

gasbose
douglas_schroeder
1,824 posts
 
Elizabeth,  are wrong about DACs.  Big performance variance between them, as much as any component. Digital cabling also important. DACs are very sensitive to CD or file playback. You would be unnecessarily choking future performance to neglect. Power supply and PC important, too.

willemj
1,036 posts
 
I disagree with Douglas on all these counts.
bar81
754 posts
 
I agree with Douglas ;p 

People who think all DACs sound the same either haven't heard the top tier of today's digital or their system is simply not resolving enough to show the difference.   

Power is also critical, you can read up on my system page about my recent experience with placing a Shunyata Denali 6000/S on different materials.

Ultimately, everything matters as your system gets more resolving.  However, it's also a blessing to have a less resolving system since it saves money in that no difference will be heard (but that's a far cry from their actually being no difference in performance). 
willemj
1,036 posts
 
This is, of course, the recurring response when someone says some components make little or no sonic contribution: 'your system is not good enough'.
The counter argument is that there are no measurment data that suggest there are differences above human hearing acuity, and no controlled listening tests. And in my case, I think Quad 2805 electrostats (plus sub) are revealing enough.
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