Good points made above.
While it's smart to have an idea of the sound one wants, I agree that the goal is sometimes a moving target, and we often don't know it until we hear it. Worse still, it's tempting to mess with a good thing when we've found it. That's the definition of Audiophilia Nervosa.
Part of this obsession unfortunately involves diving in without knowing all the facts, because the other part of this obsession is an art (o the elusive "synergy")...and the facts don't necessarily translate into art.
The result is a necessary period of trying and swapping system elements. It's the unavoidable learning curve.
However, with some homework the curve can be flattened.
My curve has been steep. I have recently purchased new loudspeakers, and I have gone straight to the speaker builder for his amplification and wire recommendations. Thus far, he has provided good advice, but I also have a couple of ideas of my own to try.
I believe asking the manufacturers is a good method to employ, especially when matching amplification to speakers, and particularly if the speaker builder is a smaller operation (not sure B&W or a similarly sized manufacturer would provide the same service)). It also may not be quite as effective if matching speakers to amplification (if the amp was purchased first).
While it's smart to have an idea of the sound one wants, I agree that the goal is sometimes a moving target, and we often don't know it until we hear it. Worse still, it's tempting to mess with a good thing when we've found it. That's the definition of Audiophilia Nervosa.
Part of this obsession unfortunately involves diving in without knowing all the facts, because the other part of this obsession is an art (o the elusive "synergy")...and the facts don't necessarily translate into art.
The result is a necessary period of trying and swapping system elements. It's the unavoidable learning curve.
However, with some homework the curve can be flattened.
My curve has been steep. I have recently purchased new loudspeakers, and I have gone straight to the speaker builder for his amplification and wire recommendations. Thus far, he has provided good advice, but I also have a couple of ideas of my own to try.
I believe asking the manufacturers is a good method to employ, especially when matching amplification to speakers, and particularly if the speaker builder is a smaller operation (not sure B&W or a similarly sized manufacturer would provide the same service)). It also may not be quite as effective if matching speakers to amplification (if the amp was purchased first).