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

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.

Depending what you believe your time is worth, investing in stereo equipment can seem like very little gain for lots of money.  ghdprentice may have $150 grand in his current system but how much was the total expenditure over the last 50 years?  How many hours at the going rate were spent analyzing comparing  and even  growing as a listener?   If you add up all the equipment you went through and the time spent to get to your current system isn't that really the cost?

To me the real  difference in just throwing money at the stuff the hi end shop tells you to buy and really understanding the relationship of how the components work together comes down to appreciation.  50 years of experience is beyond value.  To bad that experience can't be bottled and passed on to the newbies with only 20 years of experience.

 

@jjss49 

 

I have my K&E bamboo in my desk drawer… would you like to borrow it? I haven’t been using it much since 1974.