When you audition a piece of equipment...

[replytoken]

I am very excited because I will be auditioning a Rega Planet and Musical Fidelity X-Ray v.3 at home this weekend to possibly replace my old CDP. Now, I know that I should listen through my speakers, since that was the point of bringing the units home and since they will be my primary means of listening to the music. My question is how much time should I devote to listening to the units through my Ety ER-4's and should I even involve my Headroom Total Airhead in the evaluation process. I would like to assume that my Arcam amp. will outperform my Total Airhead, but is this assumption correct? Also, I am inclined to describe the ER-4's with the converter cable as pretty neutral in sound and would assume that they will be useful in the evaluation process.

If I am mostly wanting a source that plays well with my system, and possibly reveals any other weaknesses for future improvements, how much should I involve my headphones and headphone amp (which are mostly used in the bedroom for "quiet" listening, when walking, or at the gym)?

 

[analoguekid]

I would choose your source for the system that you use the most, for me that is through loudspeakers, yes my cans are important but I can put up with any compromise as I listen to the cans a lot less than my main rig, choose for whatever you use the most.