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budget component in high-end system?

Does anyone use a budget component in an otherwise high-end system? You always see reviews of budget components where the reviewers says the piece comes very close to things costing much, much more money. Does anyone use any of these so called "budget" components by choice? ex. $500 cd player with $10,000 amplification.
fruff1976
rello
311 posts
 
I consider headphones a budget component when used within a high end system. The level of performance is great with relatively little money. I use a pair of Ultrasone 2500s with a Grado RA-1 battery unit with really high end results within a high end system.
mikeyc8
174 posts
 
I see a lot of Sony Playstations being used as CDPs in fairly high end systems.
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
I keep many pairs of real world priced interconnects, speaker cables, and power cords for demonstration to prove that components, not wires, are the backbone of a good system.

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roxy54's avatar
roxy54
8,016 posts
 
I would have to say the Morrison Elad Preamp. I have gone through several amps and speakers in the last 6 years, but I am still impressed with it's lack of identifiable "sound". Having said that, I would still give it up for a McIntosh C200.
musicman07
126 posts
 
Not really a highend system, but in the home office/bedroom I'm using a Technics 5-disc changer as a transport, which cost $150 almost eight years ago. $3000 amp, $5k speakers, etc. The interconnects cost a few hundred more than the CD changer did. I do use the computer as the source more often though.
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