A lot of people spend $50K on a system that sounds like crap. but they have all the names mentioned in stereophile. And some fine looking crap. If you’re only looking at sound, not name or looks, I could put together a 90+% system for $10K.
What does 90% of the Absolute Best Sound Cost?
Like many things, I have come to believe that the cost of incremental improvements in audio come at exponentially increasing costs - e.g., big improvement from $5K to $10K, less so from $10 to $15K, etc. All of us have our limits regarding what we can/will spend to achieve our best possible/practical audio experience. So, a couple of questions that I am sure are at least somewhat subjective.
A. What does it cost, in terms of components, interconnects, and direct furnishings (e.g., racks, isolation pads, surface room treatments, etc.) to achieve 90% of the absolute best sound possible?
B. What % does $50,000 get you?
FWIW, my setup is at about $21,000 actual cost ($32,000 original retail) and I am really happy with it right now. All of my incremental spend for the next couple of years is going to be working the room itself. Looking forward to your perspectives!
- ...
- 41 posts total
@mapman The room is 90% of the deal. I've proven it to myself many times over. No matter what I spend in my living room it will never sound like my loft. A more modest system but definitely sounds better. |
I’m thinking it would be around $70k or so... $50K used. I would guess my system is at 95% and is about $150K... I’d have to double the cost to get to 98%. I just helped a friend get a system a step down... maybe 90%... it’s very subjective, obviously. $10K streamer, $10K DAC, $12K preamp, $12K amp, and $22K speakers. |
I guess it's all relative. I am pretty sure that if I had 50k to start a new system with I could reproduce a sound that would blow me away. But members talk about speakers that cost 50k all by themselves and I cannot even begin to imagine how good those must sound. So, as I typed, I guess it's all relative. |
- 41 posts total