How to identify the weak link in an audio system

Finding the weakest link for replacement can be difficult. Paul walks us through.

[thisisnev]

"I like the sound - " Stop right there. Why change? You've found the sweet spot. So many audiophiles will never be happy with what they have because they get addicted to 'upgrading' (in reality, often merely expensively changing) their system in search of the myth of a perfection that doesn't exist. Your system makes you happy, so you're free to spend your money instead on expanding your music collection!

[ford]

Paul is absolutely right! if you have a decent class-ab amplifier like nad denon and a sound source with good sound qualities for example a cd player, but the sound out of your speakers is not good then it is most likely speakers you have that is the problem!

I have seen 5500 usd speakers with the cheapest crossover and wires you can think of.

I have also seen and heard cheap speakers with relatively good sound quality

[graxjpg]

I knew the answer was gonna be “tough to say, but probably your speakers”. Still true!

[toecutterjenkins]

Speaker placement. Room acoustics and speakers . Don't know what speakers you are running. Look inside, are they braced, do they have material lining the cabinets, are the crossovers proper (not just a cap and resister on the tweeter)made from decent components? How low do the speakers play? Do you need a sub?
Speakers can sound different and people have their opinions on what sound good to them.

[antonyharding]

Fair play my mate.. Easy to say oh, , he's pluggeing. Again..
But you can't hide genuality..
Good luck for future projects..
Regards, Antony..
Warrington...
England..

[mrtunapie]

Used to fight with my friend who was a hi-end dealer and he felt that the power amp was the most important. My view is speakers first, but the amp is really PART of the speakers and they should be in harmony for optimal sound. Do your research and blow your $$ on the best speakers, than deal with the electronics. Take your time, Rome, as the saying goes, wasnt built in a day.

[epi]

The weakest link in my system is my ears. I had my hearing tested and found that my frequency range was 28hz to 17.5khz. I also have 3-6db dips at 600hz and 13khz. For my age, I was told it was good/above average. It was still unsettling to know my hearing has some loss 🥺😐🤔😭😳.

[vinylrules]

Hey Paul,
Now that RMAF is cancelled, does that mean there will be a significant delay in bringing PS Audio speakers to market? Any time frame for release?

[sephondranzer]

Every audio dongle I have ever used was better than the Dragonfly Cobalt. I am surprised Paul’s impressed with the Dragonfly (Cobalt I’m presuming), cause using that thing as a mobile solution was one of the most miserable experiences I had in audio.

[rw]

Speaking of speakers, I’m unfortunately a habitual viewer of AudioGon, A-Mart, Paragon and The Music Room, etc. There was a very nice pair of Von Schweikert VR-1 bookshelf speakers for sale. While I was contemplating what I’d do with these if I bought them, thankfully someone scooped them up, thereby saving me say $650 dollars or so. They were clad in very nice African Hazelwood. Sometimes not getting what you want works to one’s benefit - hah!

[multioptipupiloptomy]

no mentions about acoustic treatment of the listening room... people buying new electronics, speakers like crazy. At a certain level, acoustic treatments can do a lot more than switching 'only boxes' (IMHO)

[thomasmaurer]

... sound-blasters -
usb 's sound so much better than a dragonfly and come with extras like software if your running it on a PC (sound blasters work on most devices -cellphones/mac/windows/etc - some of the chips can only be used with a PC- but the newer models all have controlled by buttons on the device itself .. ) just helpful hint -

[TheGamerUnknown]

I think swapping from an integrated amp to a dedicated pre and poweramp would likely net some significant improvements as well - it was night and day for me going from my cheap Sony 2ch to a nicer poweramp.

However, poweramps are extremely expensive with only a couple exceptions, so it may not be the best investment depending on the speakers.

[chadkoehler]

Put some 10 dollar isolation feet on your speakers and pull them out from the wall a bit...there’s your new speakers

[mrpositronia]

Speakers are misrepresented in the commercial world. Stuck in a book cabinet, too close together, a-symmetrical placement. No wonder a lot of people don't have them, because they don't always experience a correctly set up pair.

[raybois]

It's somewhat irritating to hear unconscious comments such as: "(This DAC is better than most and..) it's a couple of hundred bucks, whatever..." It's NOT 'whatever'; as if you were brushing that money aside like a moskito . $200. is half my weekly pay. Is this channel for the Elite only??

[chrish.]

Sorry, the weakest link is not your cables and power cords!

Speaker's are much more difficult to demo because of shipping considerations. Electronics can be demoed for the cost of shipping both ways. 🏄‍♂️

[gitmobob]

Paul don't tell Linnies that speaker are the most important. You should also give consideration to room acoustics to improve sound.

[ooGETSOMEoo]

I would say that speakers are not on the first place. I would put acustics on a first place. Then speakers, then electronics. Who knows maybe guy have a pair o descent speakers, but his listening room is emtpy, full of resonation, low frequency mods, or his room is sonically dead because of a lot of stuff he keeps there.
How many times good or very good speakers were sounding like crap only because of bad acustics.
I would say acoustics first, then speakers, then rest of the gear.
Not liked and popular opinion but I think very true.

[NateEll]

OK- so you gotta explain the Aqua Net behind your left shoulder