What improvements did you hear in going from entry level to high end Audio?

Of course $20k is not essential for enjoyment. I'd say $100k minimum. I mean seriously, why would someone spend $100k or $200k on a system if it wasn't worth it?

calvinj, I think to suggest that people STFU in a forum discussing high end audio, or anything, for that matter is a little ironic. We're here to share opinions after all. I agree with you that if someone wants to spend large amounts of money for incremental differences that this their option and if it makes them happy then that is fantastic.

But we all probably have that point in which the skeptic lurking inside all of us comes out. The guy who has spent $100k on a system is going to be a tad suspicious that the guy who spent $485K on used speakers (they were listed on this site not long ago) is probably a little daft.

I also think the two ends of the spectrum are about the same: People who spend less thinking that people who spend more are doing it for reasons that don't warrant the expenditure verses people who spend more assuming that people who spend less are either settling for poor quality or just don't know the difference.

Finally, I do not believe that it is true that every additional dollar buys you a subjective or objective benefit. I think it is true up to large sums but there comes a point in most hobbies at which that extra dollar does not buy a dollars worth of benefit and in some cases will buy you less.

N80 great observation. I will tell you I have heard probably 20 systems that cost over 200k.  They systems I heard was about 700k the second best 200k. However the third best came in about 35k. The guy who put it together was really experienced at matching cables and components and he cheaply soundproofed his room. I really enjoyed his system. I would go by and listen to hours on end. I enjoyed it because had managed to get the supersystem sound at a fraction. He researched each component and took some advice from a few industry vets and hit an enjoyable home run! As far as STFU is concerned I see the same trolls on a lot of threads that say the same comments and in their minds and mouths they think they are geniuses. That was for them. Lol.  You can have a great enjoyable for less money and I admire those who are smart enough to spend less and still build a great kit!

Pipebro is that what the tapping sound is ? I always thought it was Stills tapping time on the body of his guitar. Not sure I would use that as a reference for a high end system, I can hear it on my samsung tablet and I'm over 60 with high freq hearing loss. 

I am glad that you enjoy your system Calvin.  That’s all that matters.  
I am in a good place as well.  I have had more expensive demo stuff in my system, and it didn’t work.  Not in it for “my stuff costs more than yours” factor.
And I truly believe that I am at the asymptotic part of the curve, where shelling out a lot of extra cash will only marginally improve things.
  For a long time my base system was my College dorm system—Advent 3 bookshelf speakers, an entry level Pioneer receiver, entry level turntables, cassette recorders, and then a Sony 14 bit CDP.  When I finally started upgrading, each successive change was huge.  Now, not so much

Mahler I agree.  Now I am where I am if I spent more the system would only probably get small fractions better.  I’m going to pretty much keep what I got and be happy. I guess some people have approached my threads like I’m bragging on how much I spent.  I’m actually not and to be honest my system costs a fraction of the other guys I know.  Their systems cost 2,3,4 times what I paid.  I’m at a good spot in the hobby.  I think I have good enough stuff to pull a great sound that can surpass the way more expensive stuff