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What Does 80 Grand Get You Nowadays?

A system was playing in a shop. I sat down and pretty soon I thought gosh, I’m glad my system sounds better than this.

That system - just preamp, amp, and speakers - cost about $80,000 new.

I didn’t make the speakers at first, because Sabrinas look far better than the usual Wilson house look. They were driven by one of those new high-end Marantz amps, and I don’t think that was a match made in heaven. The Marantz was driven by a Dan D’Agostino pre that looked like a Minion had been crushed in a hydraulic press. Audiophile music was streaming, but I did not catch whence issued those dulcet ones and zeroes.

I suppose that system constitutes high-end for some. Now, it certainly sounded competent, but it also sounded boring. I thought, this is the Audi SUV of audio: competent and boring.

Conversely, I was impressed and pleased to no end that the end sound of my modest system from the last century could play in the same league as an almost-six figure modern system, and do so in a more engaging and fun fashion - to my ears, at least.

I’m biased, of course; and I am certain many high-priced systems out there leave mine in the dust. Still, I would have thought $80,000 guaranteed a better baseline sound.

How about you, have you heard a lot of gear whose sound was way out of whack with its price?

 

devinplombier
devinplombier OP
1,664 posts
 

I started reading your post and recognized the shop right away, made me smile. It’s under new ownership, we lost a treasure.

@bslon 

Well, I hope not! I’ve been keeping an eye on their used gear, the offering seems well-curated like under K’s ownership. That said, I haven’t yet been there in person since the reopening.

To be honest, when I learned about the new ownership I was afraid the shop might veer into high-end home theater, custom whole-house installations, you know, that sort of thing; but it doesn’t seem to be going that way. At least not yet. I’m hopeful it will be a smooth continuation with incremental improvements over time.

But maybe you know things I don’t 😉

 

devinplombier OP
1,664 posts
 

@deep_333 

I was really liking your post until you said the T word 😂

I'm with you on DIY, or even custom one-off commissions if a person doesn't want to become a tech.

 

devinplombier OP
1,664 posts
 

Now be informed : high IQ or low IQ are the new divide between audiophiles...

@mahgister sometimes it seems as if you're on to something there 😃

 

mark200mph
843 posts
 

That shop will do fine i do miss k.they have great backing in another huge town just a few hours away.enjoy the music. I did hear that setup after the remodel music has a personal taste and they rotate product through. I think most of that sold.as far s Asian electronic my accuphase m 1000 is a classic. Doubt mcintosh copies much.enjoy the music

invalid
1,376 posts
 

@deep_333 

I wonder how McIntosh was copying marantz and pioneer when they started producing amplifiers before either of those two manufacturers.

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