What do you think about this statement

It's ALL taste at this level. The great thing about Audiogon is that you can by used or at least depreciated components, try them out, and sell what you don't like.

David

"So, if I said I prefer an all JVC/Bose system to an VAC/Von Schweikert system, y'all would just chalk that up to personal preferences?" In some/most cases - yup. If I wore hearing appliances that still could not produce something where I can differentiate between the two (and 'specially if someone was giving me the JVC/Bose combo as opposed to my buying the other for that case) then that would be a personal (and valid) preference. At least that combo produced something I could still experience and potentially enjoy. It's not always a tin ear - it might be a plastic & semiconductor ear, etc. Or, it really could be a personal preference and y'all know there's just no accounting for taste - either yours or theirs.

I have to say the best system I ever heard was a Naim system. It was about $60k but in my experience I've never heard anything better.

regards, David

Uru- great idea!
Ask the guy over, have a brew, then go check his system out.
I'm certain both systems have good attributes.
Enjoy the music.

Beware, once you go Naim you may never come back.
You will spook out all your friends by becoming a member of that cult :-)
Naim has an addictive sound for sure.