Really expensive systems that sounded great?


I often laugh at megabucks systems ($100K and above) I hear because so often they are just OK, or the presentation is so off in one dimension or another I can barely listen to them for long.

What I’d like to ask now is what megabucks systems have you heard which you felt actually were worth the asking price? I don’t mean incrementally better than your $20k system. I mean leaps and bounds. Anyone?

The best system close to that I ever heard was the top of the line Vandersteen speakers and Vandersteen monoblock amps driven by VTL preamp (I believe) at a show in Oakland. Nothing else I heard in that price range or above sounded worth it to my poor ears.

Lets try to stay wealth-positive here and stick to things we actually LIKED. 😁

erik_squires

I have heard a few expensive systems that sounded great. One with Auditorium 23 speakers, and a couple with Wilson Benesch speakers and Nagra electronics,

Best system I’ve heard to date...

  • Avangarde Speakers
  • Audio Research amps

But then - I do like a very fast dynamic presentation together with exceptional imaging.

Some people find horns too analytical, but the Avangarde’s were just the right mix of dynamic speed and musicality i.e. to my ears.

I did hear the Audio Research with the TOTL Focal speakers, but I prefered the Avantgarde’s

Other than that I do like Gershman Acoustics very much - much more affordable than many speakers out there and they sound great with pretty much any quality amp

Regards - Steve

 

They have horrible measurements look at all those peaks and dips. you couldn't get any more ragged. 

MBL Master Reference System.

I have never heard anything better. Close to 3/4 of million dollars, but WOW!!