Does upgrading you system have to be on a logarithmic curve?


Has anyone else noticed that the higher you go in sonic quality the more it cost to get an incremental increase in sonic quality. For example if you buy a 300 stereo from Walmart it sounds ok then you go a spend 3000 on one and the jump in sound quality is huge. Now to get the same percentage jump in sound quality you need to spend 9000 then 30000. So I am at the 30k+ threshold what do you have to spend to get the same incremental jump. This is more of a rhetorical question has anyone else experienced this.   

128x128wmorrow

Most of my equipment I've bought at deep discount, either new or ex-demo.

I built my first real hi-end system during the 1998 crash then built another during the 2008 crash.

EUR,GBP and JPY are at very low discounts to the USD now and anything you buy in Europe and the UK will have an additional 20% VAT deducted for export. Most gear can be easily re-configured for different voltages.

Cables don't wear out and popular brand names provide excellent value, even though they are expensive.

Find a dealer who'll treat you well and appreciate your repeat business and upgrades, they've always got demo gear they want to sell.

Great sounding audio gear was built in past decades. That's what I buy and use! Present day stuff has little appeal.

I experienced only incremental changes for around twenty years building a number of systems. At one point I assumed this was how things would be far into future. Then things suddenly changed with the addition of some rather peripheral equipment, its like I passed this THRESHOLD of mere audio reproduction to performers in room sound quality. This happened perhaps three years ago, additions since then have only increased sensation of living breathing performers in room.

 

So, only incremental improvements for vast majority of time, passing this threshold has been of inestimable value. It goes beyond a logical analysis into realm of the emotional. A deeper connection to the music and performers has great, great value.