Thf, I believe the best value system has far less to do with costs, components, and/or room acoustics than anyone (except perhaps me) would care to admit.
To qualify that statement I'll jump right in stating there are six requirements that I believe will make most any well-heeled system's sonics pale in significance. They are:
1. Properly executed AC power treatment that includes dedicated circuits/lines, cryo-treated outlets, plugs, connectors, and proper line conditioning.
2. Properly executed vibration control for components and speakers.
3. A magical amplifier. This may be the single most important ingredient. IMO, the amp is by far the most under-rated component and finding the right amp is like finding a needle in a haystack.
4. Decent quality or better full-range speakers.
5. Proper speaker placement. Proper placement can cover a multitude of sins in a room with less than desirable acoustics.
6. Proper ics and speaker cables should take any system with the first 4 ingredients over the top.
In my opinion, if a system falls short in just one of these 6 foundational categories, it probably ain't worth listening to.
On the other hand, if each of these categories has been properly addressed, there's probably but a few systems that could approach it's sonic pleasure.
-IMO
To qualify that statement I'll jump right in stating there are six requirements that I believe will make most any well-heeled system's sonics pale in significance. They are:
1. Properly executed AC power treatment that includes dedicated circuits/lines, cryo-treated outlets, plugs, connectors, and proper line conditioning.
2. Properly executed vibration control for components and speakers.
3. A magical amplifier. This may be the single most important ingredient. IMO, the amp is by far the most under-rated component and finding the right amp is like finding a needle in a haystack.
4. Decent quality or better full-range speakers.
5. Proper speaker placement. Proper placement can cover a multitude of sins in a room with less than desirable acoustics.
6. Proper ics and speaker cables should take any system with the first 4 ingredients over the top.
In my opinion, if a system falls short in just one of these 6 foundational categories, it probably ain't worth listening to.
On the other hand, if each of these categories has been properly addressed, there's probably but a few systems that could approach it's sonic pleasure.
-IMO