the ARC Ref5SE is a very fine pre-amp indeed. Nothing wrong w/ being a smart shopper. Happy Listening!
What's your investment threshold?
This question only goes out to those like myself who enjoy the system gains running better cables bring. Non-believers can save their money and comments for another thread.
Do you impose on yourself a percentage range for cable spending relative to other components?
Speaking for myself, I do consider cables to be a component decision worthy of budget, but I seem to have stayed in the 10-30% range of what I've spent on other components. I can't see spending $1k for a cable on a $1k component for example. I have spent $1,500 for speaker cables for a $6k amp. That seems nearer the high end of my range but it still fits.
I realized I haven't planned this as a hard rule, but that's kind of how this has worked out for me over time. Anyone out there think a much higher percentage is justified? I won't argue because these improvements are worth all the enjoyment you can get, so more power to you.
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sdj888 - thank you, glad my comments resonated with you. Secondhand equipment is indeed a great option to consider when building a system. Besides being very cost effective, it also helps keep the high-end audio industry going because it helps fund another person's upgrades. My system is a mix of new and used. |
The basic premise of these being “investments” is wrong. these are all expenses, not invest,ents I disagree. Per Wikipedia: In general, to invest is to allocate money (or sometimes another resource, such as time) in the expectation of some benefit in the future. The expected benefit for a financial investment is money. The expected benefit for an audio investment is improved sound. I invest both money and time toward getting better sound. |
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