Garbage in, garbage out...
Why do folks spend more on electronics than on speakers?
Hello, just curious on this subject. I have seen threads where folks ask for advice on how to allocate their budget and this topic comes up. I also see systems posted on various forums where folks have $10K-$20K in gear driving $2K-$5K in speakers and wonder why. I have traditionally been a speakers first person as that is where I have noticed the greatest differences. For those that allocate more on gear vs speakers what are your reasons? No judgement, I am just interested in hearing another point of view.
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- 94 posts total
@jpan, I should have clarified. In my original post when I say electronics I meant preamp and power amp or integrated as this is the forum for those things. I should have been more clear. I totally get if one added up source, pre/power, cables, etc it’s not too crazy that they could rival or exceed speakers in cost. Espeically if one is using vinyl as the main media. I guess what I was thinking is when I see a McIntosh stack driving something like a pair Q Acoustics 3050i or Kef R7s. No disrespect to these speakers. |
Some believe source matters most (Linn), others say it’s the speakers where the money should be spent. I spent the most on my speakers, about $5500 (also own 2 other pairs @ $449 & $899, both sound terrific for the price), next came the integrated amps, from $1699 to $3250 (I own 3), my turntables cost from $999 to $2100 (I own 5). Cd transport $1299, Sacd player $900, dac $1200. I won’t mention brands to bore anyone. |
After fifty years, in retrospect. One of my first and best sounding sets of speakers were Acoustat 2 + 2… loved them in the showroom. Brought them home… my system couldn’t even remotely power these things to sound good. So I brought home a 75 pound Yamaha behemoth amp… maxed the needles … could not power them. So I got rid of them and bought a brand new Threshold s500… took out a loan… $18,500 in today’s dollars. Then I couldn’t afford the speakers. After that, speakers first, then optimize the electronics to support them. For a decade or so my speakers were down to 18% the total value when I had ribbon speakers (including subwoofers). But overall it has hit at 30% and the most expensive piece. They set the capability… I can’t imagine having a bunch of electronics and swapping speakers to get the right sound. Besides the technology of the boxes changes much faster.. so a set of speakers tend to stay in my system longer.
I now have Sonus Faber Amati Traditional and can’t image upgrading for at least ten years. |
- 94 posts total