Is it possible to get Hi-end sound ??

I listened to a system recently that consisted of Magico Q5s, Boulder amps, and wire that cost more than a car. It sounded REAL GOOD...I got home and listened to my cobbled together budget system and it sounded REAL GOOD too. I can only assume that my taste in carefully selected used items has paid off. That, or I'm an idiot.

Elizabeth,

What is "bloom" anyway? Distortion, right?

Lynne

Depends on the time of year ...

Hi all,
I am impressed with your answers. You all are awesome. Ok, This is what I already have, Paradigm Studio 100 V2 speakers, Monitor Audio Silver S2 speakers, and B&W DM 602 S2 large bookshelves. My cd player is an NAD 521, amplifiers are vintage Sansui AU-517 and G-5700 receiver. Speaker cables are Straight Wire Stage. I owned an Nad C-370 integrated and a Rotel 1070. Both were sold because they couldn't sound better than the vintage Sansui gear. (IMO) I also have a Monster Cable power supply with 3 step of filter. I listen to light rock and pop mainly. Styx, Supertramp, Phil Collins, Genesis, Elton John, Billy Joel, etc.
I am not totally happy with the sound yet and have $ 1000 to spend to get an improve. I was thinking to find something such as an used McIntosch, Rogue Audio or any other tube preamp or integrated to feed the B&W DM 602 S2. I will need another cd player and was thinking in Cambridge Audio or Arcam. The fact is my best music system ( the Studio 100 are in my HT system for movies ) is the Sansui 517, NAD 521, and the Monitor Audio Silver S2 bookshelves. For some reason, I don't find the B&W matching good with the old Sansui. The reason because I have old Sansui amplifiers is because I haven't found any thing new that compare to them with the price I can pay. Sansui was the best japanese made during 1970/80. Even the Rotel and Nad I have owned couldn't sound better than the vintage Sansui.
Thanks,
Jorge.

vintage.....