Where do you draw the line???

Shubertmaniac, I agree that it will certainly sound different, but it could also sound better depending on the definition of better. My American Heritage dictionary includes in its definition "2. More useful, suitable, or desirable". In this instance this definition would apply to the purpose of the user. If the user finds the system more suitable for his purpose then, for him, it IS better.

If a $75,000 system doesn't sound better than a $15,000 system the person who bought it is stupid, as are the people who designed and manufactured it.

Using this logic does that mean that a $75,000 car is not better than a $15,000, or a $75,000 house is not better than a $15,000 house. These statements are simply unreasonable.

If a $6,000 amp did not sound better than a $2,000 it would not sell! I had a $2,000 Aragon 8008st amp which I replaced with a $6,000 Krell FPB 200. Both amps are very close on paper. In my listening room there was no comparison. The Krell is better in EVERY respect. At a $4,000 price difference it should be. Why is it that some people here are so quick to deny that differences in sound quality exist?

The Krell was not better because it cost more, it cost more because it is better. The parts which went into the Krell were better than those in the Aragon. I am not suggesting that the Aragon is a bad amp. It isn't, it a very good amp. I have suggested it to many people over the last few years. The Krell is just better.

My $15,000 system sounded good, my $30,000 system sounds A LOT better, not just different.

Where is the cut off line between better and more expensive??? Is a $2000 integrated amp better than a $500 receiver? Is a $5000 speaker better than a $1,000 speaker? Were is the line?

Nrchy,

I guess just to be a smart-ass, i gotta point something out about the "House" anology.

A $250,000.00 house in denver will get you about 1,800Sf house, probably not a basement, a puny backyard, and cheap carpet.

In Wyoming, a 200,000 house will get you about 3,000Sqft, probably an acre of land, hardwood floors throughout, and a pool.

Car anology,
A 2003 Honda Civic has a very reliable engine, 30+ miles to the gallon, is decently stylish, and comfortable and is about 15,000.

A Mustang Saleen, about 50,000 (being generous) will get you about 19 miles to the gallon, a hell of alot faster, less room.

WHich is better? one is quicker but guzzles gas. one is slower but will not breakdown as soon. How can anybody say which car is better? they do the same thing. They get you from point A to point B, and unless you are talking about on a speedway, the Saleen will not get you anywhere quicker than the Civic, because by the time the saleen reaches speeds the civic cannot, it will already be pulled over on the side of the road!
It boils down to personal preference. I prefer the saleen just for the record. >:)
It all depends on somebody's needs.

I do agree with something though, If i spend 75,000 on a system, it better sound better than my 8,000 system. And im sure it would.

I flew into Houston a couple of months ago. The reason for the flight was a wedding in Nacogdoches. Since there is a significant distance between the two cities I arranged for a rental car. I have an American made motorcycle and an American made truck, but I don't particularly care for American cars. My wife drives a 2000 VW Passat. With this in mind i rented a Volvo S60.

Upon arrival at George Bush International I pushed and shoved my way to the rental counter. Sorry Grandma! It was one of those good news/bad news deals. They had no Volvo's. They did have, and agreed to rent for the same price, a Jaguar. I jumped at the prospect since it would be a good oppertunity to compare it to the Passat. Guess what, it got me all the way to Nacogdoches and back to Houston! What more could I want?

Oh yeah, how did it ride? It was much better than my Passat. More solid, smoother riding, better amenities, everything one would expect in a luxury car. This car cost about $30,000 More than my Passat! When I bought the Passat, I traded a Pontiac Grand Prix in on it. The difference between the Grand 'Piece o' Crap' and the Passat was as BIG as the difference between the Passat and the Jaguar. Was the Jaguar worth $30,000 more? Yes! Will I be buying one? NO!!! I can't afford it. BUT is still much better, not just different.

Onhwy's system with Harbeth Monitor 40 will go pretty deep, enough to satisfy almost anyone, and with an inexpensive but powerful amplifer, will play louder than anyone can stand. Add a good subwoofer for not a lot of money anyway, and you get you 20-25 hz bass. Really no reason to spend more money, (or nearly as much on cables). The reason people spend more for speakers is they prefer a different flavor to their sound. Some pretty knowledgeable people consider the Harbeth M40 to be sota, yet it doesn't please everyone. It does go extremely loud, however.

I have no idea why anyone would spend a fortune on amps, etc., but if that's their idea of fun, who cares.