I strongly agree with Danny w/regards to minimizing noise and maximizing signal (i.e. signal to noise ratio). This is where an excellent room makes all the difference. And limiting vibrations from HVAC, using flexible ductwork, etc...the quieter the room, the more easily dynamic range be heard and appreciated. Floyd Toole goes into this in some detail in his latest book. For those with extra $$$, a dedicated room built from the ground up is a very worthwhile investment and MUCH cheaper than uber expensive amps, etc...the room will always be the elephant holding things down.
Anand.
I've just stumbled over this thread because I've been busy working on something that contributes to system dynamics by lowering the noise floor.
System dynamics is ALL about signal to noise relations and low distortion. The low noise aspect seems straight forward as does the low distortion requirement. Unfortunately laboratory testing does not give much of an inkling as to the "real" distortion components that influence our perception of dynamic musical reproduction. It is not the 1K + 10K harmonic distortion test that determines the true distortion characteristics of a system at full song with a complex musical passage. It is easy to design an amp that does the test tone thing, but much harder to design one that reveals every nook and cranny in the music. Same with speakers. The instantaneous translation of complex musical passages means that a considerable amount of air has to be moved very precisely to do so. Danny's comment about the servo sub's ability to stop on a dime is paramount in recreating the macro dynamics necessary to reproduce the BIG sound required in dynamic contrasts. Just as important is the sharp edge on high frequency decay of a triangle. There are very few systems that are capable of this macro and micro dynamic portrayal. The common thread is these systems have the ability to move large volumes of air effortlessly. You have to have huge, precisely controlled stroke volumes, efficient coupling or large surface areas to do this with low distortion electronics driving the whole equation.
The other end of this is the necessity of the eradication of noise from the system. Every component in every device in the system has the potential to contribute unwanted noise, that by definition, is distortion in the playback medium. The self generated noise of resistors through thermal effects, the noise in capacitors (ringing), caused by dielectric absorption, the noise in a room caused by reflections or HVAC.... everything is working against faithful, dynamic musical reproduction.
Discussing the factors that define dynamic, faithful (a better word that accurate) reproduction of music is a topic that could go on for thousands of posts and I don't think we would ever fully define the topic.
Just a bit of conciousness streaming on a Friday night.
Dave, out.