Synergy - an interesting word which and which derives from the Greek language. I see it means "working together", the result being greater than the sum of its parts. It strikes me that the "result" can be very subjective and casts, at least for me, a question mark over the usefullness of auditioning hardware outside of one's own studio/room. Ultimately, it appears to be down to trial and error to achieve that first combination of hardware and room. Then the whole process starts off again at the next hardware change. It makes me ask whether the mark of the true audiophile - I don't consoder myself one -is the eternal search for the subjectively perfect combination of hardware and room or to reach a stage of satisfactory compromise and simply engage in listening pleasure?
My hardware comprises of the Monitor Audio RS6AV, Onkyo TX-SR875, Sony DVP-NS9100ES, Sony DVP-NS900V, Roksan Kandy KA-1 MKIII, Pioneer DV747A and, now, the Primare CD20 - mint condition, originally purchased 2003 and costing me ?400. There is little I can do about a fixed room size. My job means I'm relocated every four or five years, so compromise will remains an unavoidable factor in any ambition I may have to achieve the ideal synergy.