Great to hear audio enthusiasts talking about value audio systems and room correction. Here's was what my road to value looked like.
When my receiver performing preamp duties for my 2 channel died, I switched to a used W4S dac-2 (doubling as pre-amp) fed with a home built pc with Live Dirac, Roon/Tidal,HQPlayer and Jriver. I stayed with 2 channel since I couldn't find quality surround dacs with room correction at affordable prices. I briefly entertained the idea of a Marantz 8802 pre/pro purchase, but realized I was more interested in hifi music - not spreading money over a dozen speakers. If I wanted to spend more money, that would be in the mains.
Basically, the dac and correction cost $1000 plus computer costs (everyone has one of those right?). The sound quality improvements with the dac were thrilling, but the once room correction was in place, my jaw dropped. Not sure how I ever thought my system sounded good before that.
One thing I've learned (personal preference) is that audio system enjoyment is proportional to the quality and selection of your source material. A lossless music streaming computer based audio/video system that allows me to watch 2.0 DTS-MA blu-ray through Jriver, rip blu-rays, surf the net and play video games (super quiet PC build) is satisfying indeed.
That was value to me. $1000 + power amps which allows me to integrate tube sound (not offered by the Lyngdorf - just sayin'). The only drawback is that it takes a wee bit of tinkering on a computer, or a bit more for building a computer with the ideal quiet/gaming pc at reasonable cost trade.
So glad I didn't punch the "easy button".
