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The Decision Making Process
In this section, our objective is to help you extract the most out of your
investment in your audio system. May we take a moment of your time
with the following suggestions.
The aim of high fidelity audio is to attempt to recreate the original
performance in its entirety via the recorded medium. To help you get to
know what various instruments really do sound like, listen to live concerts
of musical performances that you prefer. Select a few recordings of similar
performances for comparison. Your Perreaux equipment will (and the rest
of your system should) provide a precise duplication in your listening area
of the total musical performance, including the ambience of the venue in
which the recording was made.
Read
Magazines
Read hi-fi and audiovisual magazines, particularly the equipment reviews
and letters to the editor sections. Use these as a general guide only, and try
to read "between the lines". Remember no one specifically sets out to
downgrade a particular piece of equipment, so what is not included in the
review is often as important as the actual printed content.
Choose Your
Hi-Fi Dealer
Carefully
Choose your hi-fi dealer carefully; they are your professional guide.
Preferably, they should be knowledgeable about music and recording
techniques as well as the equipment itself. They should be able to provide
a total service, including
installation, system "tuning" advice, problem
solving and after sales service. Frequent your dealer and listen to a variety
of equipment using recordings, which are familiar to you. Ask questions
and listen to advice, but remember to trust your own ears to tell you what
sounds right for you. If possible, listen to your equipment choice in your
own listening area before you finally make your purchase.
When deciding on your system you will need to differentiate between sales
gimmicks and cosmetic wizardry, as against practical features and
facilities. Recognise the "Christmas Tree Syndrome"- namely, the more
flashing lights and switches the better it must be. Bear in mind that you are
paying for these, and because of the necessity of careful pricing,
compromises may have been made in the internal component quality vital
for accurate sound reproduction. Each component through which the audio
signal must pass will add its own character to the music you hear, hence
the expression, "colouration". Perreaux products are carefully designed to
minimise componentry within the audio signal path. All componentry used
is of highest quality and only included when absolute necessity is
established; no component is there for a free ride or to correct for
deficiencies elsewhere in the circuitry. With Perreaux, emphasis is placed
on maximum sound quality, component and unit reliability and long life.
