how much of a difference should equipment make?


I spent the last few months looking for a good sounding 2 channel setup and this is what I ended up with:

McIntosh C50 Preamp
McIntosh MC275 Amp (VI)
SF Cremona M
Audioquest King Cobra XLR
Audioquest Carbon USB
Audioquest Rockefeller SW

Let me just get this out of the way and say it up front.. While the speakers (and their placement in my room) seemed to make a huge difference, the amp, preamp, and cables do not seem to make any discernable difference to me or my wife.

I feel like I have purchased the C50/MC275 due to a combination of the integrated DAC, aesthetics, heritage, level of support, and resale value.

We compared several options at home and in high end audio shops.. For example, in one store, I got to listen to the Cremona M's through a pair of MC1.2kw+C2300+AyreQB9 and then immediately following that, the C50 paired with a single MC275. I really wanted to hear a difference, but nothing. In the same store, I was also able to listen to a Music Fidelity M6 and luxman 550AX connected to the same speakers.

I brought home a demo of a luxman 550AX integrated and an MA6600 McIntosh integrated and did several days of A/B testing with the Cremona M's and we could not detect a difference at all. I tried to make sure that decibel levels were matched by playing a test tone and using an SPL meter.

I am using Jriver with ASIO with a variety of music off of hdtracks.. the music is being sent to the DAC in the C50 via audioquest carbon USB cable in bit perfect asynchronous mode.

I checked the MC275 manual and McIntosh recommends 12AWG wire. When I had a pair of audioquest type 4 connected (which was only 16 AWG), we did detect a small improvement when moving to the 12 gauge Rockeller wires. I did not test any cheaper speaker wire. This was the only time that I heard something other than the speakers make an audible difference.

I was also able to compare a peachtree iDAC and Ayre DAC at my home and I did not detect much (if any) difference between the DAC built in to the C50. I do have the latest firmware.

I heard huge differences when cross shopping speakers and doing A/B tests in stores.. for example, B&W 802D seemed to have much more 'oomph' on the low end, but lacked some midrange and high vocal clarity. It felt a bit like voices were not 'tight' compared to the Sonus Faber line. I listened to a pair of SF Elipsa and they sounded similar to the Cremona M but a bit more 'full'. As if the depth of the sound stage increased and also the bass had a bit more impact.

Although I do not hear any difference in preamp/amp/cabling, it does not mean that a difference does not exist. I am not trying to insult anyone here.. it may just be that the combinations of equipment that I have tried are still somehow 'lacking'.

My questions are as follows....:

1) Is it normal to not hear much (or any??) difference when changing out preamps or amps assuming the components in question are within similar specs?

2) Has anyone else purchased relatively expensive amp/preamp combinations even when you believe the components are not making a difference in the sound quality?

3) Placement and angle of my speakers in my room make almost as much of a difference as the brand and model of the speaker - at least to me. Anyone else have this experience?

4) What am I doing wrong that is leading to not hearing a difference?

I do not believe my ears are at fault.. My wife and friends were with me throughout most of my testing and they came to the same conclusions.

In any event, my setup at home sounds great to me and rivals (again, to my ear) most everything I have heard in audio stores.

Thanks,
ecsrun
I'm also in agreement that over time you're going to be able to better distinguish key characteristics of the sound, and as a result, you'll get better at picking out what appeals to you most.

However, at the end of the day you always need to trust what you're hearing. So the answer to #2 should always be a big "NO".
I think the right question is, "Under what conditions will I be able to
hear a difference, when changing equipment?". When this becomes
the issue, then the equipment, and whatever dollars it represents,
is relegated to a different role. What do I mean?

Instead of searching for the Holy Grail, or the one piece or
combination of pieces that will be most satisfying, I suggest
you focus on two variables, only. And they may not have occured to
you, or been mentioned to you, yet!

The first one is the organ you use when you listen to music...
yes, your ears! I recently discovered that a cleaning kit from
Rite Aid made it possible for me to experience more of an emotional
connection to the music. Sure, I thought my ears were clean,
but those canals go pretty deep, I learned. Another option
is a professional cleaning, which I last had done over twenty years ago!

The next point of attack, with exactly the gear you already own,
is "vibration control." All electronic pieces are subject to internal
as well as external vibration. What are you doing to address this?
IMO, the finer your gear, the more you will be able to appreciate
the effects of the proper treatment, in this area.

The challenge is, this will take a bit of time and effort.
The retail store is selling the high dollar gear because that generates
the most profit, for them. They might not want to talk about
the lower cost alternatives that can efficiently improve your sound.
Wouldn't you rather be happy with what you currently own,
and have the feeling that you are absolutely getting the most benefit
from each piece?

What to do? There are posts here, that address vibration control,
from manufacturers such as Stillpoints, Symposium, Marigo, and BDR.
And you might pay attention to the rack or furniture
that is supporting your equipment, and holding your cables.
There are online and catalog retailers (Music Direct, Audio Advisors,
The Cable Company) that can open up your world to many different options. And you may even choose to audition them, with the ability to return them if you are not happy.

Lastly, check out Jim Smith's book, "Get Better Sound."
I can't imagine anyone with an open mind who has failed to
glean some great ideas from this book.

"Just have fun." For me, it is very rewarding to initiate a
change that improves the listening experience, and does not involve
spending a ton of money! This way, the journey can be as
enjoyable as the destination...
"Just have fun."

Good advice.

Different strokes for different folks.....dude!
Try adjusting your room acoustics with products from companies like RealTraps, TubeTraps or RPG Diffusor Systems. Then you will be able to hear the subtle changes in different Amps and cables, etc. Proper room treatment lets you hear the equipment, rather than the room.