2. misc-audio
  3. 124756-13625

If a gear is dirt cheap, do you think it is no good?

High-end stuff is usually pricey. I have purchased both expensive and cheaper gear and usually expensive stuff sounded better. It really did. I had an Arcam amp which was good but Pass Labs Aleph 3 kicked its butt by a huge margin (at least IMO).

However, now most stuff (usually electronics such as amps), although cheap I mean dirt cheap sound really good. I do not want to make this comparison because I have so much respect for Nelson Pass but his Aleph 3 which I owned and still to me the best sounding amp ever, does not sound 100 times better than my new finding Texas Instruments' TPA3116 Digital amp. I mean this thing runs cool, it is small, and dirt cheap! It sounds awesome. ALMOST close to Aleph 3 but no, it is NOT Aleph 3. I do not know if it is worth for me to spend that much money when I can get almost same sound for $25! 

Do you feel better when you pay $2500 for an amp/DAC which is little better than a $100 DAC or $25 amp? I mean after hearing new CHEAP audio products, I kinda feel no need to spend that much for small improvement. 

What do you think?
celo

Showing 1 response by gdnrbob

gdnrbob
4,409 posts
 
I like to try 'giant killers' in my system. I never had the financial means to afford pricey equipment, so I gravitate to smaller, lower priced manufacturers- though the internet now allow me greater access, thanks  Audiogon.
I agree with mofimadness, if it sounds good, it is good. ( A Duke Ellington quote). Though there may be some compromises, I never feel dissapointed just because I don't have the most expensive component. 
Maybe it is because I followed that route when I was younger. Hindsight, and time taught me that the quest for perfection was foolish.
More to discover