Gnats and whales

As we wind up the beta testing on the newest product launch, the PerfectWave PowerBase, I am really pleased to see the positive comments and great reviews. But I am reminded that something like the PowerBase is an essential part of a high end system only if all the major elements have first been addressed. By that I mean adding a better cable, an isolation base, or any enhancement product is a wise investment if you've got all the basics handled first. And what's really interesting about this thought is the fact that any good enhancement will still help an unfinished system just as it will a finished one - but adding one before the other can sometimes lead to confusion when it comes to mapping out a clear direction for progress in building a first rate setup. My advice has always been to focus on the essentials first and in this order:

• Loudspeakers
• Sources and controllers
• Power amplifiers
• AC power

If you have those fundamentals in place and to your liking, then it makes sense to start the work of polishing the system with better cables and enhancements. I know there are many who would argue with me, and that's fine. It's a philosophy that has been honed over the years and has served me and others well. Like the old saying goes, don't be gagging on whales while batting at gnats. Tomorrow we get started on understanding how Class D amplifiers work.