i'm still trying to figure out the logic behind spending $40,000 for a system to reproduce the sound of a $200 guitar through a $400 amp with a $100 microphone and some cheap cords, into a $1000 console and onto an $8 dat tape that is recorded on a $300 player (total cost of around $2100) "as it was heard in the studio".
Jeeze man, not everyone listens to demo-cd's from start-up bands! Where are you coming up with those figures? So are you suggesting the poster should limit their listening to an 8-track player in a 72 Gremlin, and save themselves the $40K for a one-time appearance by their favorite one-man band...Although I'm quite sure $40K isn't enough to be enticing an established performer to come out to East Jesus, as you suggest, to play a single private gig for one person's shits and giggles. And do you really think the one-time thrill would be THAT exciting? I think it may be a bit awkward to say the least, having your favorite performer in your living room playing just for you. Talk about overloading your room too!
I don't think it does necessarily "take astronomical amounts of money to hear the instruments as if they were in the room". That's kind of the attraction of this hobby. You can get pretty impressive reproduction for not allot of coin. Obviously that's a relative amount. You are not ever going to get a system to truly reproduce the sound of a live performance in your room. The fact that you can even come close is the carrot on the stick that folks who love music are willing to throw money at. The more money you have to spare, the more you'll be able to spend if you so desire. Pretty simple if you ask me. The reason a person would want to have their system sound close to what it may sound like if, say, you were able to raise the dead and get John Lee Hooker to come play in your living room, is that, well, that is a pretty damn amazing experience. Moving to say the least, especially if you like his music. Scary if you were actually able to get John Lee back from the dead...even more so if you could do it any time of the day or night at the push of a few buttons and the turn of a knob or two. Hey, wait a minute, you can! You can also bring the "sound" of a full orchestra in a world-class hall into a 13X20 foot room, or even between your ears with a pair of headphones. Pretty cool stuff!
Marco