Has the cost of HiFi gotten a bit too much?

You’re on the money @artemus_5.    

When I bought an ARC SP-3, D51, and D75 in 1973, they were priced at $595, $695, and $995. Not that much more than the price of mass-market mid-fi components. Sure, the price of ARC products has over the ensuing years risen far more than has inflation, but many would argue so has their sound quality. But $25,000 for a pre-amp?! I lay the blame for the absurd price of ultra high end products at the feet of Mark Levinson, who started the whole high end (I hate the term) "snob appear" movement. He, and Harry Pearson and his accomplices at TAS.

On the other hand, do Schitt products (and Rega, and others) sound better per dollar than did budget components of the 70’s and 80’s? IMO, based on sound quality vs. cost, there are current products which are a better value than at any time in the past. I would now much rather own a pair of Magnepan LRS than a pair of AR-3a’s, which in 1968 cost $500/pr. The same can be said of Vandersteen’s Model 2 loudspeaker, or any number of other beer-budget products.

For those who don’t mind buying used (as with other above, imo THE way to go), one can pick up a Music Reference RM-10 for $1500, an RM-9 for $2000, and an RM-200 for $3000. Better than comparably priced ARC amps, but then no bragging rights. Except to those who value design genius, build quality, reliability, sound quality, and value. The RM-9 is a far, far better amp than is a used $2000 ARC. IMO.

When it comes to value, I will once again point ya’ll to the Eminent Technology LFT-8b, imo the absolute best deal in all of audiophiliadom (an opinion shared VPI’s Harry Weisfeld, who proclaimed the LFT-8b to provide the best midrange reproduction he has ever heard, regardless of price. As the owner of the QUAD ESL, I wouldn’t go THAT far ;-). I expect that advice will be, as usual, ignored. Suit yourself.

Go to a high end outlet. Cruise a few mail-order websites. See what you can get for the total amount you want to spend. Read equipment reviews. Read Audiogon.. Chances are decent you'll be able to put together a system that'll please your ears and not completely decimate your wallet.

The sky high prices are sweet music to the ears of the Chinese manufacturers. They are offering great value at excellent prices. The other hifi manufacturers are just accelerating the process of digging their own graves.

chinese manufacturers  Chinese communist party