Did a satisfaction threshold exist under 1000 bucks ?

IT's only getting harder these days for most folks in the USA to merely make ends meet.  That bodes even less well for the future of high end audio as we know it in these parts.  PEople are going to have to suck it up and make a lot of adjustments moving forward if they are to maintain the somewhat luxurious quality of life I suspect most of us here have come to expect.

@waytoomuchstuff “…I can recall many highly emotional and satisfying moments with "lesser systems." As my knowledge and awareness of "better sound" pursued an upward trajectory, each time a layer was peeled back revealing the complexity and nuance (and, yes, bone-jarring impact) of the performance my appreciation for the music, and those boxes and cables that made it happen grew exponentially. …”

👍 +1

Confession: I recently bought a $150 amp (with beefed up power supply, less otherwise) and am using in a desktop system while working from home. This is my second Fosi amp. It is very well reviewed and is documented independently as measuring very well and it sounds it at least for this application which is granted less challenging than running a full range traditional full size system in most rooms.

My other older Fosi amp that cost even less does an exceptional job driving a pair of KEF ls50s in a fairly large room, a task I have seen other "high end" amps fail at miserably.

These are my third and fourth systems. Number 1 and 2 are still much more costly, but I have been successful downsizing all around in recent years accordingly as a result of not being afraid to first try less expensive and easily returnable things that have received good press but do not necessarily have the high end audio industry "blessing". Meaning I am less prone to simply throw money at the problem than in past years, which is a positive development.

I modified my small speakers M-Audio AV40 so much well they are completely transformed...

I add cardboard cylinder around the tweeter to make easier imaging and directionality toward my listening position... Impressive results...

Then i increased the Internal volume of the small box with the right bundle of 20 tubes( straws for one dollar) i put them in the rear porthole... Results as astonishingly good no drawbacks...It is simple Helmholtz design applied... Now i have more bass depth , more extension too... The explanation is to be look for in any basic acoustic book...

New speakers completely... They were very well reviewed but now they beat or rival most headphones in near listening save my AKG K340 for sure...

Audiophile results dont equate only with "price tag" ... It is acoustics basic for me....

Think twice before qualifying my acoustic experiments by "tin foil hat"... What i did is based on acoustics not foolishness... 😊

No designer can sell a small box with tubes going out at the rear and tube going out in front... I can....

These are my third and fourth systems. Number 1 and 2 are still much more costly, but I have been successful downsizing all around in recent years accordingly as a result of not being afraid to first try less expensive and easily returnable things that do not necessarily have the high end audio industry "blessing". Meaning I am less prone to simply throw money at the problem than in past years, which is a positive development.

I can forget sound easily and focus on music because my basic acoustic needs are satisfied:  Imaging , sound staging, holography,  timbre, etc

You have arrived a totally blessed place!

Hopefully everyone else can join you, there!