2. amps-preamps
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Has anyone made the jump to $uper High end and were disappointed?

I'm talking $50,000 and higher amps, speakers, cablesetc. I know there is excellent sounding gear from $100 to infinity (much is system dependent, room, etc). However, just curious if someone made the leap and deep down realize the "expected" sound quality jump was not as much as the price jump. Unfortunately, I'm not in a position to make that jump. However, looking at another forum's thread about price point of diminishing returns got me wondering if anyone had buyers remorse. It's not easy to just "flip" a super high priced component. 
aberyclark
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yes, trust your ears and have a common sense. But also, especially when considering a big upgrade, try to get another pair of good ears.
That person might have different preferences so it may complicate the audition but in the end would probably help more than not.
My friend musician prefers electrostatic sound, I don’t. We can argue but what we hear is very close, only his hearing is better. But I am no punk b-tch either.
bigkidz
3,388 posts
 
Have to agree with Stingreen.  Depends on what you want to hear your system reproduce.

Terry9 - why use a resistor volume control at all?  Try a transformer volume control as all resistors have a sound.

My preamp has no capacitors in the signal path with a TVC and DHT tubes.  Sounds amazing.

Now go build a pair of field coil speakers and see what happens!

Happy listening.
goose
696 posts
 
I have listened to multiple $500K systems.  My usual reaction is ho hum.  They sound good but my "ah ha" moment is how little you need to spend to get excellent sound!  Careful matching can create great results in the $10k - $50k range.
stevizzy's avatar
stevizzy
114 posts
 
I’ve got 3 audio systems to listen and compare, ranging from my car (Acura 2004 TL) to a Bose Computer setup and my home “Audiophile” System....around $40,000+/- and growing rapidly.

I enjoy all 3 of them, almost equally.
Music 🎶 moves me when it’s really good and well recorded so I can enjoy it regardless of the quality or the sophistication of whatever I happen to be listening on at the time.
Its the music, not the equipment we should be enjoying. 👍
inna
7,296 posts
 
Audiophiles enjoy the sound as much as music.
$10k new will not get you anywhere close to great sound even in a small room and one source. $50k new is possible in small and medium size room but tough. That said, $10k system with one source can sound pretty good in smaller room. Great means great in my vocabulary.
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