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When System Improvements Are Marginal

I’m fortunate enough to have some items that I’m considering purchasing loan this Holiday weekend.  And I have a question that I’m interested in obtaining responses on.

Typically, when I’ve inserted a new component it’s been fairly obvious what the contribution was that that specific component was making to my system.  I’m reminded of a comment made to me by a long-term industry professional that went something like, “When trying out a new component in your system the contribution or difference that component makes should jump right out at you.”

However, OTOH, one of the components that I’m considering purchasing is not jumping right out me.  In fact, there are times when I’m not sure whether it is making a difference.  And, there are times when I think that it is making a difference but the difference is very subtle.  And I like it.  But, admittedly because it is so subtle I wonder if it might just be in my head.  And in this case I’m reminded of the common comment that as our systems improve, any additional improvements become marginal.  Or, the law of diminishing returns.

Anyway, I’m sure there are at least a few members on the forum that have been in a similar situation.  And my question is, “What did you do?”

musicpod
cbozdog
63 posts
 
The change introduced by the new component better be obvious. If not obvious - the component might still be very good, and might make a significant difference in a different system, but is not helping you at this time. You might realize its benefits later (after other system changes). Or its drawbacks. Sometimes the existing system has other unexpected weak links, whether it is the room coupling or interconnects or another component that keeps it from raising to the next level. 

If it was me, I may try to force the difference be more obvious (for example, operate another change, then evaluate again the new component in the changed system) to shortcut the learning. 
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
4,908 posts
 
I've found that the character of a piece is more readily apparent when it is removed from a system after having been in place for a while, rather than when it is first inserted. By that time you have listened to a lot of music through it, and have become familiar with it's way with music. Sort of like how you don't really know someone for quite a while after first meeting them. But then, my learning curve is somewhat gradual ;-).
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
I agree with bdp24 and his methodology.  I disagree with the "jump right at you" aspect.  When true it could mean something is very wrong with either your existing system or the new component.

mitch2
1,911 posts
 
I also agree with the play it for awhile and then remove it method discussed by bdp24, and I have found that the more "dialed in" my system has become, the less I hear a "jump right at you" level of improvement from most changes.  I no longer sell one component before purchasing another and my recent amplifier search resulted in owning four pretty good amplifiers at the same time...all of which sounded very nice, all of which I could live with, but all of which had some trade-off.  The lengthy audition (about a year for 3 of the amps) led me to understand what characteristics of sound I value and helped me select the amp that sounded best to me.
OTOH, with digital gear, which continues to improve across the board, I have heard noticeable and immediate improvements, like with my DAC and Antipodes DX server.
musicpod OP
150 posts
 

Folks, thanks for taking the time to respond.  However, no one really answered the question.  Except, perhaps, "cbozdog" but in a hypothetical way.

The experience that I referred to in the OP just has me curious for input from others that have "experienced" the same or similar results / situations.  Per my final sentence,

"And my question is "What did you do?" "



As a sidebar issue as part of the items I have on loan are some desktop computer speakers for my desktop computer system.  When I A/B/A, it is immediately apparent that there is a difference/improvement.  However, after an extended listening I start thinking that the difference is not that great.  But as soon as I activate the current speakers I'm immediately reminded that there is a difference between them and the loaner speakers.  As I said just an interesting sidebar issue for me as I spend time with these loaner items.

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