Is ASR for real, or is it only for those sub $1k or even sub $2K?

@newton_john Someone once said to me that the problem with hifi forums is that most people have never heard what a really good system can do. Clearly, that is particularly true for ASR.

That makes sense.  Those who haven’t experienced top Sonics do not have proper references to make comparisons of worth.

I went out to demo at many stores and audio shows to find the sound I like, then tried to replicate at home within budget.  I realize that some may not have the time and budget to travel to demo, but I find the experience very valuable in choosing the right direction to build my audio chains.  I purchased the demoed speakers at AXPONA.  

I trust my ears to send neural impulses to my brain when sound waves make the hair cells wiggle. What happens after that is very mysterious, but somehow this magical thing called a perception arises. That's the real hearing, and it's been demonstrated to me that it is a process that is highly influenced by suggestions from the other senses. For this reason I cannot trust my perceptions to tell me what I'm hearing in technical terms. They're too easily swayed to be counted on for objective measurements. But I can trust my subjective evaluation of my perceptions. If I like something, I know I like it. So if I need to see the equipment, and know how much it costs, and have some ideas expressed to me about why it should sound superior in order to get the perception I'm after, it's all good so long as I actually get the perception. If double blind listening tests destroy  the perception, that tells me something interesting, something to ponder. But so long as I get the perception back when I can once again see what I'm listening to, then I'm good to go and will buy what I can afford to make it happen.

I trust my ears to send neural impulses …..

Exactly!  I’ve demoed Wilson on many occasions, but never resonated with me unlike Magico and YG.

@dynacohum  Agree.