You've got it bang on. For over 20 years now i am preaching synergy, synergy, synergy.
Yes, a 2 k system can beat the crap out of a 20 k system in terms of musicality, sound staging, and emotional connection to the music. Easy. However, I also have to concede that there are a few areas, especially the nth degree of true retrieval and super natural bass extension, for example, where money buys you a lot. Never mind that the "a lot" is mostly noticeable in the sweet, sweet upgrades towards realism and naturalness, but that's the cost of diminishing returns in this hobby. For the most part, it is extremely costly to bring the Magicos, for example, to the level they are in these respects. Whether you like the speakers or not for other reasons such as heavy metal-ness, full blast SPL's, etc. is a different story. What they are supposed to do they do magnificently. That's why for people whose taste cover the Magico's strengths, it is pretty much without peer at this point. And, of course, for those who can afford it.
I guess the whole point of the Khartago review, and especially by somebody like JV, (and love him or hate him, agree or not, but he has his act together, let me tell you) is the level of that nth degree of refinement in the sound quality that the amp gives you, especially with a speaker as revealing in these areas as the Magicos. Will the Khartago boogie with sub 1 k speakers ??? Of course, and obviously, with the majority of any speakers out there, the amp will also absolutely get the speakers to their 100 % sonic limits, making the system and the experience that much better with the speakers xyz.
Now, within most more budget oriented systems, however, you will have a host of other amps that can sound nice. Obviously qualitatively, differences between amps will be evident no matter what, but they can sound nice nevertheless. Especially if you put in a few of the- made in China under slave labor conditions for people who don't care about local economies or human abuses- amps that are available cheap here in the US. They are a far cry from the actual parts and production and sound quality of our amps, but they can sound kickass in some 2, 3, or even 5 k system. Yep.
BUT when you get to a level of the Magicos, then all of the strengths and shortcomings are BRUTALLY revealed. That's where we can shine. And while indeed very close, I don't think that you can say that we are the equal of the Soulutions, which are probably the hottest amps right now in the world market. Then again, 95 % for 1 / 120th of the cost ain't bad.
Late,
Klaus
And no, I never said that our amps are great with all speakers or / and in all systems. There are also negative synergies IMO, as is with all products. And, of course, the taste of the listener. For heaven's sake, that's why there are tubes and digital amps in the same market.
