High-end amplifier clarification?

Adcom and early Parasound amps I don't consider high end. A high-end amp will provide a spacious soundstage, float the airiest highs, deliver a full but sparkling midrange, and has excellent dynamics/bass without sounding boomy. It should do all this and still sound musically involving & refined. Given that & without an equally high-end preamp you will fall short of your goals.

Figuring out what makes any product a 'high end audio' product has long been a vexxing subject. In thinking about this over the last 20 years, the best answer I have ever been able to come up with is 'intention'. So in this regard I think I agree with Phaelon the most, although most everyone here has made points that I consider valid.

But even with the idea of intention, products occasionally appear in the mainstream that are so good they qualify despite their humble origins. Radio Shack has produced a few of these, for example their Linaeum speakers from about 10-15 years ago. They were inexpensive but got good reviews. But for the most part, the intention of the designer will be the primary aspect we are looking for.

Hello ,

In regards to amplifiers: If you can't drive a 2 ohm load, you are mid-fi IMO .

regards,

Adcom and early Parasound amps I don't consider high end. A high-end amp will provide a spacious soundstage, float the airiest highs, deliver a full but sparkling midrange, and has excellent dynamics/bass without sounding boomy. It should do all this and still sound musically involving & refined. Given that & without an equally high-end preamp you will fall short of your goals - 02-28-11: Phd

I have seen them send off many a so called hi-end amps, the magic is in the load ..

regards,

Weseixas, so if an amplifier that can't drive 2 ohms but otherwise sounds better than one that can, its still mid-fi? So sound has nothing to do with high end or mid fi?