AUDIO PRICE INSANITY PRICE VS. PERFORMANCE WORTH IT?

I think there can be a direct relationship between price and SQ, although it is neither absolute nor linear. Synergistic factors seem to exist and appear to be more important than the total spent. After reading many, many Agon posts I note that there are some folks who inhabit two opposite ends of the spectrum; the folks who think the people spending big money are crazy and the folks who think spending smaller sums is not truly "hi-fi." I find both of these extremes unreasonable positions. How another person legally spends their money, less or more, in pursuit of their passion does not concern me.       

erik_squires - I've long ago given up on the idea that price is always related to performance. If you are true to your ears and heart, you can spend a lot less than others to be happy.

+1

As astewart8944 already stated, there is no correlation between price and sound. I have a Lafayette KT-550 power amp and it competes with new amps today and in some ways is much better. Just because an item has a high price tag also does not mean that someone paid that price either. All that being said, most people actually do not know why a specific unit sounds good meaning parts, design and implementation. Once you learn how a part or combination of parts work, then you can learn from there. There are many higher priced components that use basic parts and others that use higher priced parts. There are many variables to what makes something sound "better". From repairing gear, I have got a good understanding of what really changes the sound or a component and what I need to improve the sound. Funny thing is that anyone can do it once they have learned. From what I remember, most of the rooms I head at different shows use similar front ends to various degrees. So in my opinion, they seem to sound the same and does not allow the consumer to hear the differences or how a component can really sound. In building components, I also know how much time it takes to really build something that is special and also the cost to get there. So while higher prices do not guarantee better sound, understanding what makes something sound better is what I am all about.

Happy Listening.

I think we start at a certain place finanacially and sometimes the chase presents opportunities to spend more.  Sometimes you get better gear when you do. However, better gear and the RIGHT gear for your system can be two different things.  You have to play the matching game extremely well. 

If you hear something that really rocks your boat and you can afford it, or may someday save up for it, then get it, no problem.  If you haven't heard "the magic" but just have to have a new shiny object, then you're not interested in music.  I heard someone's stereo with a pair of Spica Angelus speakers and he swore by them.  I went home and put music on a pair of Sonus Fabers I had (bought used but still over $4k), and they KILLED those Spicas DEAD.  I am NOT a snob- anyone could have heard what I heard that day.  I was not rude to my friend, but SERIOUSLY, this guy refused to buy a more refined system even though he could easily afford it.  I saved up and bided my time, and got what I HEARD was very very good gear over 25 some odd years.  I am not an expert- a few select dealers are, but "you can hear" a superb piece of gear 9 times out of 10 and it's not difficult. The rule about huge speaker systems does hold though.  Buy a quality system that can pressurize your room, and call it a day.  But if you have to have a great tube amp for your string-quartet collection, be my guest.  Just beware of irrational-crazy people who are hobbyists with a vast collection of disco.