Here's a challenge:a class A sound system for less

"most 50k systems don't sound much different than 10k systems"

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmm, NOT! If such observations are being made at trade shows, this is hardly a place to make such judgements. And if this is happening at a dealer showroom, it does not say much about that dealer's competence; I'd look for another dealer.

I think Nsgarch is onto something to cut down on the cost of the system and shift the focus to max'ing out the front end. As I have recently learned from a local audiophile friend, sitting nearfield is actually quite a cool experience. You do indeed hear some details that were not so clear before and I have to assume much of this is room interactions.

John

It can't be done, but...a stunning sounding system at $10,000 used is still very good... if you play your cards right.

Here goes:

Apogee Duetta Signatures.................$2,000
Rogue Audio 150 tubed monos..............$2,500
Audioprism Mantissa tube preamp..........$1,500
Counterpoint Dac 10A, UltraAnalog card...$500
Good transport of your choice............$600

Comes to $7,100....leaves $2,900 for cables and tweaks of your choice.

Well that was easy...oh thats right, I own most of that stuff already!...well no wonder I'm so happy, I'm a hell of a card player.

Dave

hey thanks to all, I'm here to learn and I welcome the advice and experience of other goners.
AND HEREEEEEEEEEEE 's my system!!!!! tada
Merlin vsm speakers.........$1500. used
Sim audio w-5 amplifier....$2500. used
Sim audio p-5 preamp......$1600. used
E.A.R. phono stage(silver)$ 900. used
Clearaudio satisfy arm.......$ 000.------ won at Home Entertainment
...............................value..$ 500. used------- show in n.y.c.
Grado satin? cartidge........$ 000. gift
value.................................$100 used
vpi TNTI with 5 Motor lead platter(mark I bearing I believe)
........................................$1300. used
For a total of $7900 used of course!!!! not so bad and all my interconnect wires made by me!
I am in heaven,,,, my advice to all -------GO VINYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We seem to have drifted from the original question a bit but in a positive direction. I found the benefits of nearfield listening by accident when we moved into an apartment temporarily. I still have a dedicated listening room but man is it tiny. Speakers are 5.5 ft apart, ears are 6.5 feet from speakers. This sounds wonderful.
My only disagreement with previous posts is the need for monitor speakers. I tried Von Schweikert, Totem and Acoustic Energy. None of these gave me the sound I was hopong for so I got out the trusty Meadowlark Kestrel Hot Rods and am enjoying the sound. Of course if you lolumook at the Kestrels they are a two way monitor on a column.
We're moving into a new home in a few weeks and my wife is wondering why I'm choosing a small room for my system when others are available.

I agree with Jaybo all the way
I've heard a pretty good array of $$...$$$....$$$$ systems, ie "the $50K" kind you are talking about and was disappointed.
I mean I couldn't wait to exit my friends house/show room.
It was like gawddd aweful. Wouldn't pay half what they are asking.

Here's mine
New Jadis Orch Refer......... $2100
New Cayin 17 cdp ......... $1K(includes ship from china)
New Thor's kit......... $2K(includes ship)
Used Zen interconnects........$300(my $5 rat shaks sounded just as good, so was not necessary)
Thick speaker wire from home Depot ...$20 ($1.00/ft)

Total......duh............$5500/+/-

Savings of $45K
But I have my eye on a few expensive upgrades in the future...
Amp $3500
Speakers $2800
still under your bloated $50K "system".