HiFi vs MidFi


I’m a relative noob to the audiophile scene, having just invested in an integrated amp and upscale (for me) speakers.  From time to time, I hear the term “MidFi” for some components.  Is there an objective or just largely accepted definition for this term?  I’d be curious to hear feedback on what constitutes HiFi vs. MidFi across various components.  
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Seems the consensus is big audio budget does not equate to **far superior* sound.
Got it. But we all have to at least admist,
there are
*Nuances* to gain in one component vs another. Although I did state all tube amps pretty much sound the same, well I said **pretty much** I never said equal.
Some tube amps voice ever so slightly dif from the next.
My Shanling CD300 was indeed a nuance superior to my cayin CD player,, The Jadis DAC with Mundorf caps and high tgech Class A JFET opamps/Tele AU’s, is a nuance superior to the Shanling.
Point is
I could be very well happy witha 1960;s Dynaco ST70 stock original caps (no botique Mundorf caps) vs my Jadis Defy7/Mundorf/Takman resistos/Teles, as the 2 sounded pretty much the same in my
..here’s the clinger..
’classiacl music.
As we all know classical muisc engineers were hit and miss, Sure some DG engineers had great success, Some Philips/EMI and most other labels have issues in the recording quality.
The one musical genre where I do feel, if you can afford Jadis’ line, is in jazz music.
Jazz recordings will pick up the nuances quite well.
But for classical , nah, it makes no sense spending big cash on hi fidelity components.
I did say *high fidelity* , nuances all add up.
When you pilea bunch of nuances all together in one big pile,, now you really got something going,, For jazz.
In classical, really a Sony CD player, Dynaco ST70 1960s/stock caps BUT with Teles,, and a hifi WBer,, now thats as about all the hifi you are going to get.
But IF I can afford the Jadis CD player at $12K,,yeah I’m going to get it. Is it 12K better than the Sony in classical music,, most likely just a nuance, nada mas.
I could be wrong as I’ve not tested a Sony vs Jadis’ 12K player.
Just know I had bought ( My Cayin was having Mundorf caps installed, need a temmp player) a used Yamaha 6 cd player with the rotating plate thing and was surprised it sound **almost** as good as the Cayin CD17 with some Mundorf Caps.
Its the chase of high price speakers that puzzels me most.
Most have issues and this disqualifies them for being taged *High Fidelity*.

Here are the following amps I heard that brought me to the conclusion all tube amps sound **pretty much** the same
Dynaco ST70 modded
SET DIY with Colbalt trans/ uses a 50 tube
Allen Organ amps with KT120;s
Cayin 35 amp , the lillte guy with EL34’s($800)
Jadis Defy7.

Any of these amplifiers would work just fine in my classical **NOT hifi* recordings.
If we are considering jazz,  again,, any one would work just fine.
Its the speakers that make jazz music either 
 hifi,
 mid fi
low fi,
or just plain muddy/colored/fatiguing. 



























@mozartfan
I concur. Classical is not drastically improved by hi-fi as some other genres. I am not a jazz afficionado so I have to few records of the genre to really speak of that. BUT, I do love any kind of prog music, alt-prog, prog rock, prog metal and with hundreds of records in the genre, there is no doubt that hi-fi can be a huge plus for it. For electronic music too. Long live diversity :)
Mindset of the both buyer and manufacturer are at the heart of the matter. 

Hifi usually has most of the energy focused on the best sound quality at the price point at the expense of fancy looks and bells & whistle features. Marketing by small companies often started in garages/basements is often an afterthought or minimal. Customers who identify as early adopters are attracted, and yes some go too far pushing snobbery and "insider knowledge" vibes that alienate others who are "hifi-curious".

Big Midfi brands marketing budgets contribute to their cost. Casual recognition of those brands by non-enthusiasts and big box distribution helps close the deal with the low-engagement customer. Manufs. compensate partially with large scale savings, but design decisions driven by committee, often result in sonic tradeoffs.   

IMHO, price contributes but isn't the key. Their are tons of lower cost items designed and sold with noble sonic goals and achievement; DIY and kits included! At the more limited end of the financial spectrum themes of "punching above their weight class" and "diminishing returns" are common and relevant. 

Years ago, I sold Sony, Bose and Onkyo at retail to pay for college. Many low engagement customers were happy. Then I went home and listened to music on my ugly green NAD amp and my tiny Mission monitors with grills removed and blu-tacked to cinderblock stands...and I was happy. 
Cheers,

Spencer
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Allow me make it simple. Same knuckle dragging liberal that try to create all division in family and steal all money make these terms. The devil has these people and my wish they wake up and see humanity trying to live higher aspiration not create so much division. Enjoy music the..............yea that made it real simple?