Hi RJ,
Can you please describe how you determine a numeric percentage improvement "value" and the difference between a 38 vs 40% improvement? Best.
Ah! I was actually waiting for this question!
No worries at all matey, always happy to help / explain such findings to a good mate.
Yes, as AJ rightly pointed out, 40% is my benchmark, which in fact didn't happen overnight, rather it took me a few good years to really figure out what's going on in terms of system synergy.
The 40% is not achieved by just one component on its own. It's a factor of 4 elements that would contribute to the sum of 40% or higher. The 4 elements I'm referring to are:
1. Clarity & definition
2. Tonal integrity without smeaming or artificial enhancements.
3. Musical presentation in terms of absolute capture of the recording.
4. Soundstage depth and presence (more of the full 3D holographic detail).
If I were to explain each point, people reading this would have to take annual leave just to go through it.. it'll probably end up like a thesis. So I'll skip that part and allow you to decipher each of these four elements, I'm sure you'll know what I'm referring to.
Now, what I do is allocate only 10% to each of these elements, of which if each element remains at its top most performance level then when all added up = 40%.
After placing in the new / upgraded component, it simply cannot perform a full 40% on its own, no way. What it's actually doing is operating in synergy with the rest of your system gear. So for example, that first element (clarity & definition) will also heavily depend on the speakers (plus cables). Then the elements of performance criteria continue... finally towards the last point (Soundstage depth & presence) more of that full 3D affect, will also be influenced by the rest of the amplifiers, source gear etc. Either way, if each of these areas are performing to their optimal, I will only place 10% as the highest margin. So then when each of them are performing tops and let's say one particular area (clarity & definition) exceeds 10%... then in which case that 40% benchmark will be surpassed!
That's the point where I go "wow!!! " stand up and start clapping, more or less a stop the train moment. That hasn't happened too often, and when it does, it's definitely very noticeable. There has to be system synergy and the other components are also contributing since they too are of very high quality on par.
A good example is, when I was on a quest to upgrade my digital playback system, from my long term trusted McIntosh player, the majority of players I tried didn't quite make it to even 20%. In which case, the Mac player was still quite good as it was. I think I went through about 15 different player, if memory serves correctly, to finally arrive at the Esoteric digital player. That one was more like an astounding 50%! It just performed with an awe-inspiring level, shattered all boundaries and still continues to impress.
Sure there are other digital players out there that will surpass this level but then at what cost? So I'd be looking at spending over 70grand just for an absolute improvement... forget it! Happy with the one that's playing now. It's good enough.
Another tangible example was when I upgraded to the Nordost Tyr2 speaker cables from the Heimdall2 version. That was another level exceeding 40% easily, and it's now at a very fine stage that I'm not going to spend anything further than that. Sure the Odin Supreme reference Gold2 would be wonderful but at 35grand just for 1metre... no thanks!
40% is quite a high margin, yet still its actually achievable if all other gear is in sync. If after evaluating each of those elements, and when totalled you arrive at 38%, that's still good enough. Then comes the price factor to consider. If the price is outrageously high then that purchase whether to proceed or not can only be justified by the owner. Heck! I know quite a few who've spent over 50grand just for a 5% improvement, that's very marginal. In any case, it's their money spent not mine and in some cases those owners have experienced diminishing returns. Maybe they should have waited bit longer for a more significant model to upgrade to. Don't know.
Hope that helps!
In all do respect, I'm only replying to your question... really don't want to derail the thread here, afterall it's about TonyW's latest upgrade on his ARC REFse gear. Good stuff!
Cheers, RJ
