Perhaps we should stick with midfi...

I don't even think these systems are in the same house. One is thrown together, things piled on it, crappy cords and wires. The other is perfectly arranged, speakers are towed in, good cords, well dusted, etc. I've been in many homes, and if the common rooms look lived in the whole house looks lived in. If the common areas are immaculate, then the rest of the house will look immaculate. I think that picture of the high end system was taken in a dealers show room or someone else home.

Prpixel,

Being the trained observer that you are is it a mere coincidence the carpet and walls in both photos are identical?

I suppose my place is an exception to your house cleanliness rule for my listening room is well organized, the rest of the house, ummm not so much. Oh but could it be that the area of his midfi gear appears that way because of the type of gear it is? Well, it's just a thought...

The carpet is not the same in both rooms. One room has a light grey carpet and the other has a off white throw carpet over soltio tiles. If you zoom, the profile of the baseboards is different. The room with the B&W speakers has a "show room" vibe to it. Having been in thousands of homes over my life time and quite a few Hi-Fi show rooms, this is my opinion.

Your listening room is well kept because you have a lot of respect and care for your hobby. I imaging you dust and vacuum on a regular basis in your listening room. Also, you have great respect for your equipment no matter what room it's in.

I can tell by the thread count of the carpet that it is likely Mowhawk brand. The paint on the walls of the two rooms is Lowes brand Valspar Ultra Premium Eggshell Finish Standard paint.

Genetic testing could not be done. ;)

Seriously, this is ridiculous! If I were to get analytical, I'd say the color of the wall plates for the switches and outlets seem consistent which would indicate to me that the pics are not of two different locations. Increasing magnification of the second pic with the newer system, it seems the color of the carpet and paint are consistent with the first. It could even be that the dark protruding edge off to the right in the second pic may be the same tile seen in the first. Please also note that there is a diminutive white molding along the floor, which is detectable in both pics. The odds that these characteristics converge in two different locations is extremely small. I'd say the man is telling the truth. If I'm wrong, then at least I've had a good time playing detective.

But really, what a joke how this whole thread has gone. :(

Gonglee, I would be interested in having you update here how your testing with other components goes.