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At the top of the line is it really all that different?

I'm writing about my experience with the top of the line bespoke gear. Not the insane one-of a kind that I'll never own but the really good stuff that say $50K each will buy.

I have listened to my personal favorite ARC vs. D'Agistino, vs. Bryston vs. Pass vs. the top Macs (no love lost there).  Wilson vs. Sonus, vs. Magico vs. Bryston T-10  vs. Maggies (!) vs. Perlisten. 

So many cables that I can't recall the names. 

I can tell a difference between the voicing of the products at my dealer but the difference is so subtle that in my home they are "nearly" identical. ( I know, I know but I said "nearly") 

I read reviews with all the silly superlatives that make the reviewed item sound heavenly and the "other guys" sound like the AM radio in my '67 Mustang.

I have had my ears checked and my audio sensitivity is "age appropriate" I'm 62.

I have 2 listening rooms- one is a dedicated properly treated room and one is a barn sized great room with anterooms on 3 sides. In my dedicated room I'm all alone with my music which can be really lovely but not often visited vs. the great room with my dogs, kids, and wife. I don't do critical listening there but I love full beautiful sound when the ones I love most are near. 

So, I would really appreciate thoughtful guidance to my quandary- is top end gear crowding at the top of the pyramid with very little difference? Are the glowing reviews colored or even deceptively presented?   Or maybe I'm growing weary of very little cost/benefit improvements as I climb the audio ladder .....please advise. 

 

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jastralfu's avatar
jastralfu
447 posts
 

Some very thoughtful answers here, but imho I think you likely already know the answer to your question.  You’ve listened to some outstanding and expensive gear and in your room and to your ears you hear very little difference.  I say trust your ears.  I realize there are levels above even the $50k component cost and some like chasing that last small percentage difference, but it seems like even though you can identify the modest change it may not be worth it to you.  I entertain upgrading sometimes and go listen to components at the next level from where I am and usually end up at they sound wonderful but not enough to justify the 3-4x price over what I already have.  I always come back to that I really love my modest system and the way it sounds.  I know I’m leaving some things on the table but I guess I’ve just decided to enjoy it and the music for now.

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richardbrand's avatar
richardbrand
279 posts
 

@deep_333

Or better yet, expand into object based multichannel audio/atmos, etc.

Yes, especially when you consider multi-channel SACDs have been around for 25 years!  The Atmos recordings from www.2L,no are stunningly good.  As is DSOTM in Atmos

nonamesleft4me
13 posts
 

seems the high end is mostly about being able to fully hear the charms of equally high end recordings of the utmost purity and quality, whose charms would not be noticed on mid-fi equipment.  I experienced that in 1982 at a definitive hifi store in North Seattle, a pair of Maggie tympani III speakers driving by class A all the way, playing a direct to disc recording of a cathedral pipe organ. unparalleled extraction of recording hall ambience, and the surface noise of the record was like a cloud of particulate matter that was about 3-6 feet in front of the speakers, that was the only flaw in the sound which was like I stuck my head through a wall into the original recording venue. utter purity of sound. no distortion whatsoever. 

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jji666
543 posts
 

I'm sure there are different reasons for different folks. For some, going high end is a matter of self-expression and is not really about the audio quality. For others, they have scrimped and saved to achieve their audio dreams and every note is a blessing.

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