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High Performance & Low Cost

As you know a high quality stereo system is expensive, But if your system was say 90% of high quality you would certainly enjoy it. Listed are a few items that way outperform their price point. I list these so you can get quality without breaking the bank. It is much better today vs 10 years ago for a deal.

AMPLIFIER

Everyone believes tube amp are the best and they are. But vintage are not that good in the under $1K category and I owned a lot. Rebuilt them as well so heard about everything. A Nobsound 300Wx2 amp that is $189 new will outperform up to $1K vintage tube amps. .It has tone controls and phono input. About 40 watts RMS per channel. It does not need an op-amp upgrade either.

TURNTABLE

I owned a few Turntables. Best was Garrard 401. A good TT is a Project Debut Carbon. New is $1K and used $750. I compared to a Pioneer PL-30-K and I did not hear much difference. I was using an AT VM-95ML. The Pioneer is under $300.

CARTRIDGE

I compared an Audio Technica VM-95ML to a lowly AT3600L at $20 new. Not a lot of difference but treble was smoother with the VM-95ML. However,  you can live with the cheap cartridge. It is lively.

 

jimbennet
audphile1's avatar
audphile1
8,204 posts
 

 

 

lewm

14,698 posts

 

When we no longer have a Toxicator in Chief running our country, civility may return. I look forward to it.
 

Winner of the dumbest post of the day award. You can’t maintain decency because of who’s in a White House? 

 

lewm
14,749 posts
 

I can and do act decently regardless. Do you?

limomangus's avatar
limomangus
2,064 posts
 

We all love buyinh audio equipment. OVER and Over again.We hear that new amp the chesp one is good....So what the heck it's cheap...but an amp foe 89 bucks...where is it made .Theres,great chinese stuff and some lousy stuff....89 bucks.

kennyc
3,101 posts
 

OP-No more posts here, Audiogon is too nasty. I am gone.

Seems strange, maybe the Twilight Zone…that the OP fled his own thread.

pindac's avatar
pindac
4,082 posts
 

I have recently bought my first audio device from a modern era production, which, even though purchased as a used item. Is from a production era from very recent times.

As a New Purchase Item, the price suggests that robotics is included in the production process. I would like to assume that hands-on labour is limited during production, as this being the case could suggest that there are not very attractive conditions present for the labour being used.

From certain production regions throughout the World in all countries, there does seem to be the idea that when a product is very affordable as a production, there are children hidden somewhere and are included in being a hands-on labour.

Affordable has its downsides, as do goods with uber markups to create a retail price, and goods with a much more attractive retail price. When cleverly investigated, have discovered that children are included in the production process.

Regarding audio purchases, robotics used for production processes is the norm. A broad range of markups added to create a retail price for similar-priced basic designs for products is the norm.

Do audio purchases made in the mainstream markets bypass this well-known aspect of reality, regarding the usage of hands-on labour, unfavourable conditions for labour and even the use of children? 

High Performance & Low Cost, as per the Thread's Title - Does put a spotlight on how Ethics are very much attached and do need to be considered when making a decision to purchase.     

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