Yes indeed if its a familiar name which also happens to produce mass market gear it can't be high end. That being said some people will allow the best Sony front ends into High end because they cost so much. But that is mainly past tense for Sony. Its mid -fi at best now all the current CDP have multi disc capability. Where do Modded Universals fit in?
To NRCHY I recognize the that Hi-fi did start all this, but no one uses Mid-end- only Mid -fi in this era of High-end. What are we going to do if there is a sudden explosion of super high quality pieces which are inexpensive they may be Hi-fi but never High-end.
Personally I have scraped together a collection of audio gear which would qualify as high end or near it, but I still love my Hifi vintage pieces most of us wouldn't even call -mid fi. I don't know if they can be called high end. fodder for another thread.
To NRCHY I recognize the that Hi-fi did start all this, but no one uses Mid-end- only Mid -fi in this era of High-end. What are we going to do if there is a sudden explosion of super high quality pieces which are inexpensive they may be Hi-fi but never High-end.
Personally I have scraped together a collection of audio gear which would qualify as high end or near it, but I still love my Hifi vintage pieces most of us wouldn't even call -mid fi. I don't know if they can be called high end. fodder for another thread.