Making sure there is a perceived difference in value between product ranges is pretty important to manufacturers.
Why should you pay $10K for the top of the line if it sounds just like the $100 version?
Yes, manufacturers often have a certain sound, but the integration between electronics and speakers and room determines what you finally hear. If you have only focused on gear so far, I'd encourage you to work on room acoustics. You'll find that will really open up your speakers and future speaker choices.
Sometimes signatures change a lot. Like modern Audio Research sounds less sterile to my ears, and much more enjoyable.
Above all, to your ears be true, and not to reviews or price tags. High End Audio can be very trendy or faddish. What is touted as the absolute best today, may not be tomorrow.
Why should you pay $10K for the top of the line if it sounds just like the $100 version?
Yes, manufacturers often have a certain sound, but the integration between electronics and speakers and room determines what you finally hear. If you have only focused on gear so far, I'd encourage you to work on room acoustics. You'll find that will really open up your speakers and future speaker choices.
Sometimes signatures change a lot. Like modern Audio Research sounds less sterile to my ears, and much more enjoyable.
Above all, to your ears be true, and not to reviews or price tags. High End Audio can be very trendy or faddish. What is touted as the absolute best today, may not be tomorrow.