What Does 80 Grand Get You Nowadays?

It sounds crazy to say that 80k US $ might not buy you top tier sound today, at least if you still believe the legacy audio press that promotes 1/2 million dollar components, but I keep it simple: I built my systems incrementally over years based on hearing the gear in my room. I had a state of the art system in 1975 when I was around 20 years old--I still run that system (refurbished with some variants) but it has always had limitations in dynamics, sheer dbs and bass. 

I came up when HP first started TAS and though he was a gifted writer and seemed to drift from one favorite to another, I'm not sure there are "absolutes"- sure, unamplified acoustic instruments can sound great (or horrible depending on the room), but that's not a musical diet most of us survive on.

I tend to like small combo jazz recorded in the early '70s-kind of the nadir for LP manufacture in the US--but an awful lot depends on your priorities, doesn't it? As well as size of room, whether you are committing to vinyl (with all the associated gear needed to exploit it effectively), and ultimately, your taste. I can play some records here on the main system that will stun with their sonics (with music I like, not "stereo spectacular" schlock. However, it takes time and effort, including a lot of seat time to get there. That's where the "savings" is- exposure, and if possible in home evaluation for more than a "drive-by."

As to the system the OP described, I haven't a clue what that would sound like without hearing it for myself. 

Dude, I am sure all these Rogue and D'oggistino guys tinkering in their garages learnt how to build amps by opening up old school amps from the likes of Technics, Pioneer or even some old school Marantz probably at some point

I have opened up Boseintosh crap with the meters n all from days past and noted that they were copied right over from old school Pioneer. Guess they had to learn.

Marantz HDAM circuitry has a sound. But, it isn't some rolled off crap. You probably had a broken amp. Did you plug it straight into the wall for "dynamics" n all? (Didn't protect it with a conditioner or something?). It's a common audiophile thing...plugging it straight into the wall for "dynamics" and sitting around with a half broken clunker soon enough... things don't break all the way don't turn on, they are usually half broken and will make some sound.....hope the wall "dynamics" was good while it lasted..

Rogue is awesome stuff. I had RP-1 and RP-5 paired with ST100. Great sound. 

@devinplombier Class D amps do sound fine with vinyl if the phono section and the line amp section are carefully selected.  Vinyl sound is all about the details.  Probably the least important of which is the amp.  I am not saying that the amp is not important, everything is important, but what I am saying is that to achieve excellent sound from your vinyl records is a complex mix of a lot of things.  Even if you throw a lot of money at it, buying top level cartridge, tonearm, turntable, wire, phono stage etc., even then there is no guarantee that the outcome will be a first class result.  It requires finesse in set up, experience, patience, good vinyl and on and on.  I think that is why a lot of people throw their hands up in despair and say the hell with it.  Also, even if you get it all right, in my experience, and I am a vinyl guy going back almost 60 years, I have digital sources that very often sound just as good or better that cost a whole lot less.  But back to your question, yes Class D amps can sound just fine for vinyl if everything else is right first. 

 

parkergetdean

137 posts

11-05-2025 at 11:58am 

I took a screenshot. It was such a low blow, I had to. I usually take the high road, but you can’t have it both ways and rely on the grace of civilized people with empathy. 

Subject-wise: if I had to spend 80K, I would give 79K to AOC and from 1K I'd buy a second sub.

Ah. I was off slightly. So it’s AOC, not Karl. I apologize.

unfortunately I don’t have $80,000 to donate at the moment but when I donate what I can, I send it to St. Jude Children with Cancer, and Wounded Warrior Project, as well as other organizations with similar missions. 
 

@audphile1 what you said was absolutely disgusting, punching down, of bullying nature. Stuff at a level that a level that these days is not uncommon but it does not make it OK. You are not compensating by listing what you donate to/intend to. 

You are making it a whole lot worse by implying masturbating to AOC. 

I rather die a poor person than be filthy rich and ever be like you even for a day.