[G E]

This was a topic on another forum and I found it intriguing enough to post the question here.

My response:

Room treatment

Source quality, i.e. Turntable cart and phono preamp

Amps.

But of course , everything has a role in the sound reproduction value chain.

[dznutz]

In my experience...

1.  Media, the actual file/recording being played and its quality

2.  Speakers

3.  Everything else in the chain suited to the speakers you are using

[Wind Chaser]

In no particular order.

Room, gear, set up.

[James Tanner]

The speaker room interface (polar response and sound power) 70%

The rest 30%

james

[FullRangeMan]

1) Room size.
2) Amp power size-big/small, amp type-tube/Transistor/Digital etc.
3) Digital/analogue source.

[Early B.]

1. Power conditioners
2. Interconnects and power cords
3. Source component

[Larkston Zinaspic]

1. The ears and the grey matter between them.

2, Speaker / room interface (excluding headphones).

3. Speaker / amp synergy.

I realize the source is critical, but you aren't going to hear it without a transducer around.

Nearly everything else becomes the Merry-Go-Round.

[FullRangeMan]

1. The ears and the grey matter between them.

Correct, its sad one have a super system and listen to heavy metal.

[CanadianMaestro]

...or grunge ....rap.

[Wind Chaser]

Correct, its sad one have a super system and listen to heavy metal.

Really?

[roscoe65]

GF is a huge metal head (been in the Iron Maiden fan club for 30 years and goes to at least 20 live shows per year).  Her ex husband is a Grammy-winning music producer.  She knows good sound and knows the production quality that goes into Heavy Metal Music.  They take it very seriously.

Just because we're not playing Take Five doesn't mean that there isn't the need for high-quality sound.

I own a number of systems, ranging from single drivers driven by a 4wpc SET to Altec horns driven by higher powered tubes to a more modern rig with 600 wpc of active bass support.  I love girl-with-a guitar and I love face-melting rock and roll.  It is still music.

I'll leave this here:

http://www.metal-fi.com/

[RDavidson]

Really?

Yeah. Apparently a good system should only be used for music that is considered "good" according to consensus.

Top 3 system influences:
1. System synergy
2. Room
3. Listening distance

Those last 2 don't apply to headphones, obviously.

[roscoe65]

I'll give it my shot:

1.  Musical taste,
2.  Listening style,
3.  Listening environment.

Musical taste will strongly influence overall system objectives.  If your musical tastes do not present a significant acoustic challenge your job is easier.  If you prefer symphonic music you will face greater challenges.  Your listening style is somewhat related.  If you listen at low levels as background music your demands are modest.  However if you wish to listen as a primary activity with soundstaging full frequency extension your demands will be much greater.  The listening environment - the room, its other uses (if any), and how you and your system are placed in the environment - are the last major influence IMHO.

[CanadianMaestro]

Really?

Bit like spending $$$ on a Rolls so you can use it only for dirt trail racing...in the rain.

[MaxCast]

Not sure if i am answering this correctly.
1. Tone
2. Sound stage including depth.
3. Quiet (since I do vinyl)

[wushuliu]

1. Power supply
2. Power supply
3. Power supply

[CanadianMaestro]

1. Abundant clean power
2. Highest quality mastering
3. Synergy: All for one, one for all

[G Georgopoulos]

ok, i'll give you the secret 

1- Recording Engineer
2- Electronics Engineer
3- Louspeaker Engineer

there are more 

[schmidtmike76]

Correct, its sad one have a super system and listen to heavy metal.

so I shouldn't like to slayer, Metallica and megadeth on my system.

[MoPac]

1.  A glass of wine.
2.  Another glass of wine.
3   A third glass of wine.