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At the top of the line is it really all that different?

I'm writing about my experience with the top of the line bespoke gear. Not the insane one-of a kind that I'll never own but the really good stuff that say $50K each will buy.

I have listened to my personal favorite ARC vs. D'Agistino, vs. Bryston vs. Pass vs. the top Macs (no love lost there).  Wilson vs. Sonus, vs. Magico vs. Bryston T-10  vs. Maggies (!) vs. Perlisten. 

So many cables that I can't recall the names. 

I can tell a difference between the voicing of the products at my dealer but the difference is so subtle that in my home they are "nearly" identical. ( I know, I know but I said "nearly") 

I read reviews with all the silly superlatives that make the reviewed item sound heavenly and the "other guys" sound like the AM radio in my '67 Mustang.

I have had my ears checked and my audio sensitivity is "age appropriate" I'm 62.

I have 2 listening rooms- one is a dedicated properly treated room and one is a barn sized great room with anterooms on 3 sides. In my dedicated room I'm all alone with my music which can be really lovely but not often visited vs. the great room with my dogs, kids, and wife. I don't do critical listening there but I love full beautiful sound when the ones I love most are near. 

So, I would really appreciate thoughtful guidance to my quandary- is top end gear crowding at the top of the pyramid with very little difference? Are the glowing reviews colored or even deceptively presented?   Or maybe I'm growing weary of very little cost/benefit improvements as I climb the audio ladder .....please advise. 

 

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overthemoon
442 posts
 

In my experience yes.  But I don't always need to be listening to a high end system to enjoy music.

Let me explain - I have experienced significant upgrades in my system over the years.  I notice them and enjoy them.  And I've listened to music at audio shows. in my local audio dealer and at folks houses.  I've had times where I listening to music was awesome and it was powered by a modest system.  I've had times where listening was 'ok, time to go' and the system was very high-end and put together.

I don't expect to upgrade again and I do enjoy listening to different music and different music.   

Enjoy  your journey!

inna
7,354 posts
 

We've been here before so many times. How well you can hear means a lot, just as how important this audiophilia nervosa is to you. I personally would not spend on audio too much even if I easily could, but it would still be tens of thousands dollars. Many components in the chain, so the cost is high for excellent sounding system.

However, after a certain level major limiting factors are recordings and room acoustics. Hard to change the former, right ?

 

 

bigkidz
3,404 posts
 

First of all, system are different. What makes one system sound better may not produce the same results in another system.  We have a listening room and I cannot tell you how many times a person has brought something over to put in the system with not the same results.  Many times that is because the components we manufacturer have such great power supplies that power cables, etc., don't have the same impact in our system.  That is why you need to hear something in your own system to see if that change is worth it to your ears only.

 

Happy Listening.

deep_333
1,566 posts
 

It is a very useful skill....learning how to fix recordings...

You're outta luck if you are spinning vinyl. But, it's doable on the digital end if you learn some software and a few tricks.

If some mastering technician got a lil too high before he worked on it, it shouldn't be the reason an artist got doomed forever.

However, after a certain level major limiting factors are recordings and room acoustics. Hard to change the former, right ?

asvjerry's avatar
asvjerry
4,757 posts
 

@yesiam_a_pirate .....*G*

After all the above....feel free to indulge oneself into that which interests you.

The only one you need to please is you. regardless of room and the selections that make it work for you.  That search is frustrating, given the variables....

One's local Nirvana will likely conflict with others; pay no mind.

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