Anyone found more satisfaction in less expensive system than their high priced ?

schw06 · « **on:** 24 Jul 2012, 01:03 pm »

Obviously, synergy is key with audio systems and there isn't necessarily a clear correlation between price and performance but lately I have been enamored with some inexpensive (relatively speaking) components in my system leaving some very expensive things collecting dust. From simply a performance perspective, the higher priced equipment may be "better" but I have a tendency to be more unforgiving of it because of it's price. My attitude is more of amazement of my lower priced gear that it can provide so much satisfaction at a fraction of the price. I am much more tolerant of the inexpensive equipment's imperfections and I mentally relax much more easily and simply enjoy music.
For me, I am coming to the conclusion that achieving perfection is impossible and finding equipment that offers off the charts value seems to provide me more ultimate happiness (not to mention a whole lot more money to purchase music with)...Am I crazy?
David

oskar · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 01:38 pm »

The other day I was having breakfast at a greasy spoon and they were playin Ziggy Stardust over an old dilapidated stereo hangin off the wall. I hadn't heard the album for years and I was just groovin to it. Later that night I put on the sacd and sat back expecting a thrill ride. But it just didn't do it for me so I took it off.

rollo · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 01:38 pm »

There is no perefction. Live sound as good as the system is not a reality. Emotional impact is the key. No matter how expensive or inexpensive the system it is moot.
However we get more emotionally involved in the music with a higher end system. Not mega buck but more than the average receiver.
The key here is to put together a system for little money that rivals the mega system. I belive that can be achieved by a seasoned vet in our hobby. One that has heard most of whats out there. Knowing tonality of live acoustic music goes a long way as well.
Our hobby though is to subjective for one size to fit all. One person's likes may not be anothers. Some like Carnegie Hall over Lincoln Center. Same Orchestra differnt acoustic outcome. HMMM.
Ther are no rights or wrongs. Budget restraints, room restrictions, Da Wife and so on. If one gets hit in the heart , starts singing or dancing to the music. STOP in the name of love and be done. Eh eh , easy to say just hard to do. It's a hobby and drawing a line in the sand is so difficult.

charles

lokie · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 02:02 pm »

Listening to old school rock in my car is a pleasure. It has a simple equalizer that I can fiddle with and get the pressurization just right and then.... turn it up and rock out. The last thing I'm thinking about is the sound stage.

And there is nothing better than listening to the Allman Brothers on a jam box while camping and playing cards late into the night. Now that's serious listening.

tomytoons · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 02:50 pm »

Yup, if components chosen carefully and some luck too you can get more for less. Oh, I never buy new.
What I have now sounds better than what I have had in the past for lots more dollars. I have downsized the last 2-3 years and have not looked back.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 03:09 pm »

Can't say so. I've reviewed and assembled a lot of great budget systems over the years - and many very satisfying, but when I go back to the main reference I realize instantly what I was missing everywhere else.

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 03:17 pm »

DaveC113 · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 03:33 pm »

Yes, I do. Mostly because the more expensive gear isn't a financial possibility, lol!

I have put together a system for a few thousand by DIY'ing my preamp and (SET) amp, Omega single driver speakers, used DAC... It's a great system for the price. And unless I can spend at least 5x that much on a different system I don't think it can be touched. My amp and pre perform well beyond their price points bring DIY though... I spend about $1800 just in parts. Most $1k preamps don't have $200 worth of coupling caps under the hood...

IMO there's no way you're going to equal a really good 5-6 figure system spending 4 figures. However, you might decide it's close enough and be satisfied with a less expensive system even if you can afford a better system. The price vs. performance gets pretty hard to justify after a point.

medium jim · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 04:25 pm »

No....and I would hazzard to guess that if one takes the time to build their main system that it will be a cummulation of upgraded, trial & error. Whereas, the 2nd system usually is the cast offs or was bought to facilitate a different purpose.

This is not to say that a specific component of one's main system may actually cost less than the counterpart in their lesser system.

With all of that said, I rarely buy new to save and penny pinch to buy to begin with and don't have the luxury of making high priced mistakes.

Jim

Ericus Rex · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 04:33 pm »

I went to the Montreal show a few years back and found that after a certain, fairly affordable, price point I enjoyed the systems less and less as the price went higher and higher. One of my favorite rooms was the DSpeaker powered monitors with a Resolution Audio CD player. That's it for the system and it was more musically satisfying to me than the other rooms with $30K plus speakers fed by uber-expensive electronics. YMMV.

sebrof · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 04:58 pm »

Quote from: schw06 on 24 Jul 2012, 01:03 pm

I am much more tolerant of the inexpensive equipment's imperfections and I mentally relax much more easily and simply enjoy music.

Seems that if you just relax when you listen to you're main rig you'd enjoy it, too. And probably a lot more 'cause it's a lot better.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 05:08 pm »

I'd have to agree with that.

Now that I know what it's capable of, it's tough to go back. It's very unsettling, because I'm just waiting for things to happen in the music that don't anymore.

jackman · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 05:32 pm »

I've tried this over the years and when I come back to my main system, the budget system sounds bad by comparison. The only exception is with poor recordings. On poor recordings, the "budget" system sounds pretty good. It doesn't image like the main system and it is missing a lot of detail but these aren't a big deal with poor recordings or MP3's.

Also, I think our expectations are much lower on the moderate systems so we are surprised when it sounds better than we expect. I'd love to put together a budget system that sounds very good, but I don't listen to my main system enough to warrant a "spare".

When I am not listening to my main system, I usually listen to Pandora on a Bluetooth Sony player. It sounds okay for background but that's about it.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 05:38 pm »

That's also an excellent point and why I get so excited when I hear a budget component with truly incredible performance for the money.

jackman · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 05:44 pm »

I've never heard a budget system disappear like the main system does. It takes a lot of work but it's worth it. The budget system doesn't have the "magic".

reddmadder · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 06:11 pm »

Hi,
I recently put together a small budget system which is
exceeding my expectations in some very dramatic ways.
I bought a LM Mini 218 EL84 SET amp and paired it with
a beautiful pair of Blumenstein Bamboo Single Driver speakers.
In a nutshell: detailed,nuanced,surprisingly satisfying bass,excellent tonality.
I have it set-up on a desk in a small bedroom and in a less than optimal configuration.
My source is a classic iPod with an ALO cyro'd cable.
The system is very musical,truthful(not ruthless)to the recording.
the speakers need about another 100 hours to fully optimize and the amp is one little kick ass well built sound machine.
Both products are worth looking into.
Best

DaveC113 · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 06:18 pm »

Quote from: jackman on 24 Jul 2012, 05:44 pm

I've never heard a budget system disappear like the main system does. It takes a lot of work but it's worth it. The budget system doesn't have the "magic".

I agree, which is why I accept the compromise of a SET/single driver. You can get the "magic" for a much smaller price, and as far as imaging/soundstage there are very few speakers at any price that will compete with a 5" diameter single driver. For my preferences and what I listen to, the compromise isn't bad, sure I can't listen to Led Zeppelin at full concert volume, but even if I had the equipment to do so I would rarely use it.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jul 2012, 06:23 pm »

Quote from: reddmadder on 24 Jul 2012, 06:11 pm

Hi,
I recently put together a small budget system which is
exceeding my expectations in some very dramatic ways.
I bought a LM Mini 218 EL84 SET amp and paired it with
a beautiful pair of Blumenstein Bamboo Single Driver speakers.
In a nutshell: detailed,nuanced,surprisingly satisfying bass,excellent tonality.
I have it set-up on a desk in a small bedroom and in a less than optimal configuration.
My source is a classic iPod with an ALO cyro'd cable.
The system is very musical,truthful(not ruthless)to the recording.
the speakers need about another 100 hours to fully optimize and the amp is one little kick ass well built sound machine.
Both products are worth looking into.
Best

Cool speakers, I haven't heard them yet. Maybe they will be at RMAF this year... Good job finding the best bang-for-buck, I really think this kind of system blows away anything you can find near it's price point. Also, single drivers will typically need hundreds of hours to break in...

reddmadder · « **Reply #18 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 12:24 am »

Hi,
I took a somewhat educated guess and lucked out on the combo,thanks.
In response to TONEPUB's comment about lower expectations for budget systems I
have to respectfully disagree.
I use the same set of critical evaluations when I listen to any system,so the fact that
it sounds as good as it does is ,to my thinking,is indicative of a synergistic pairing
that just happens to be cost friendly.It's so good that my previous set-up, which was
a Leben CSX300 and Galante Symphonies is not missed.
Best
p.s.
It really shines on the usual:vocals,jazz but also trance and some well
recorded rock...Led Zep,Stones etc.

Rclark · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Jul 2012, 12:39 am »

Quote from: jackman on 24 Jul 2012, 05:44 pm

I've never heard a budget system disappear like the main system does. It takes a lot of work but it's worth it. The budget system doesn't have the "magic".

How much did your system cost. You seem to allude that it's rather pricey, calling the other system "your budget system," which apparently sucks.

Tell us more about your expensive system.