Modern Linestages

Yes, if I take Grannyring's line of reasoning, he is talking about using synergistic effects to make a system work.

Its my opinion that its a Bad Idea to use synergies, for example using a dark preamp to go with a bright source. What you wind up with is additional distortions and you can't get it to sound like real music.

You also wind up flushing huge amounts of $$$ down the loo.

I prefer instead to have each component stand on its own strengths and not need synergistic effects to make it work. The system will thus editorialize less, will be more transparent and the system will allow you to listen all day and all night.

However I'm not buying George's approach either, although I do think that as PVCs go his is one of the best. I've just never found a passive that did not suffer from colorations depending on the volume control position, and I've not found the quality of the passive to be able to affect that.

We use this phrase "a straight wire with gain" and say a passive is very close. Despite this no two straight (why straight I have no idea) sound the same. So what we need is no wire with gain or an attenuator with no sound of its own.

Its my opinion that its a Bad Idea to use synergies, for example using a dark preamp to go with a bright source. What you wind up with is additional distortions and you can't get it to sound like real music.

You also wind up flushing huge amounts of $$$ down the loo.

Thanks Ralph, I wish I could have expressed my thoughts as coherently as you just did.

08-25-11: Clio09

Its my opinion that its a Bad Idea to use synergies, for example using a dark preamp to go with a bright source. What you wind up with is additional distortions and you can't get it to sound like real music.

You also wind up flushing huge amounts of $$$ down the loo.

Thanks Ralph, I wish I could have expressed my thoughts as coherently as you just did.
Clio09 (System | Reviews | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

IMO, the conclusion is TRUE only when there is a consensus what is correct, desireable ... another words, a BEST. What one perceive is dark could be open to another. What is neutral? No 2 components sound the same. This is the reason there are more than ONE manufacturer of any component and each claim they are the BEST / correct.

Knghifi, you should take a course in basic microeconomic theory. They are available at any community college. Pay particular attention to when the prof talks about market equilibrium. You might even want to ask a question about the phrase "in the long run". With your new found knowledge you'll understand why your Mazda comment is not particularly insightful.

Grannyring, I never said the source was perfect and your distinction between complement/correct would be very hard to define. After all, a 1.5dB boost at 275Hz with a half octave bandwidth coupled with a dynamically triggered 2nd harmonic overtone generator might both complement and correct and correct a cool sounding digitally sourced signal.