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The High End for Under a Grand?


I love the way Doug Schneider (an experienced hard bitten high end reviewer) seems genuinely shocked about the high sound quality of a system coming in for under $1000.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1213-a-feature-rich-fully-modern-hi-fi-system-you-c...

Here’s a quick taster of Doug article or you can simply use the link above to read it in its entirety.

"In the last few years I’ve reviewed some very expensive hi-fi gear (all prices in USD): Constellation Audio’s Revelation Taurus Mono amps ($40,000/pair) and Revelation Pictor preamplifier with optional DC filter ($23,000); EMM Labs’ DA2 Reference digital-to-analog converter ($25,000); Muraudio’s SP1 speakers ($14,700/pair) -- and, still to come EMM Labs’ Pre preamplifier ($25,000) and MTRX2 monoblock ($85,000/pair).

--

In short, no audiophile of average income is going to spend $25,000 on a preamp -- but they’re happy to be entertained by reading a review of that preamp. More likely, they’ll be looking for something that costs a lot less -- something for way under $10,000, and perhaps under $2000 or even $1000. It’s reviews of affordable products like these that get read much more often than reviews of most expensive items, as is seen in our statistics. And the average music lover would rather go even lower -- say, an entire system for less than $1000. This is what “normal” folks can actually afford and are willing to spend on hi-fi gear.

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But you might be wondering if it’s even possible, in this era of accelerating price increases for high-end audio, to assemble a good hi-fi system for under a grand.

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I was able to assemble a surprisingly complete, feature-rich, expandable, shockingly good-sounding hi-fi rig with a total US retail price of only $926.95. Its sound is good enough that I think many people would enjoy it -- not only plain ol’ music lovers who just want something that sounds great, but budget-conscious audiophiles as well"


My only concern with this system would be that it’s not full bandwith. As Doug says, it only goes down to about 50Hz.

For me it goes without saying that its almost crying out for better loudspeakers but this article certainly does make me question the relationship between high priced and high end audio.

For music lovers it’s just got to be a great thing to know that high end (near state of the art) sound is well within the reach of almost anyone!

cd318
uberwaltz's avatar
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uberwaltz
4,946 posts
 
Whaaaat?

It is a well known fact my 1987 Geo Metro can leave any Porsche in a cloud of rust!
wtf's avatar
wtf
306 posts
 
I rather enjoy articles like this .. thanks for the link. About 5 years ago I wanted to put together a cheap but listenable system for work and ended up with this system for the whopping price of $745:

  • $100 - Pioneer SP-BS22-LR
  • $100 - Dayton Audio DTA-120
  • $300 - Musical Fidelity VDAC
  • $100 - Apple TV2
  • $120 - Dell monitor
  • $ 25 - Monoprice cables

The DAC, ATV2, and monitor were in storage and the prices are what I paid at the time. This little system sounds a whole lot better than I expected. Is it "audiophile approved"? Of course not, but you can’t imagine how many people (non-audiophiles) have commented about the sound quality. In fact, some have asked me to help them put together a similar system. Makes me smile.
jfuquay
15 posts
 
wtf, I’ve got the Musical Fidelity V90 DAC in my listening room setup (Rogue Sphinx and Magnepan 0.7s). I like it but assumed it was the weakest link in the group and just auditioned it against a Simaudio Moon 230 HAD, using the same amp and speakers at my dealer. A little better, but not for $1,500 vs. $300 for the MF. I think the source is gaining in importance with digital streaming.

which is kind of the OP’s point. You can always fine some piece of kit that does something a little better, but at what price? I’ll keep auditioning DACs.
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chaskelljr2001
458 posts
 

Speaker System: Boston Acoustics A-150 (Used) -- $150.00

Integrated Amplifier: NAD 3140 (Used) -- $150.00

Turntable: Technics SL-1800 MkII (Used) -- $250.00

Phono Cartridge: Nagaoka MP-110 (New) -- $125.00

Compact Disc Player: Emotiva CD-100 (New) -- $300.00

System Price: $975.00 Plus Cables


Now, I grant you that you’re not going to get anything exotic as far as this system goes, as far bona-fide high-end goes, but this will probably be better than a Crosley All-In-One Record Player (which is why would you consider buying one of those in the first place).

Nothing fancy, and kept it completely simple. And notice, no automation on the turntable either -- completely manual (a Technics SL-1800 MkII is really nothing more than a Technics SL-1200 MkII, but with a prettier shell, and a more attractive top face plate).

And the Phono Cartridge/Stylus and CD Player are brand new too.

This is not a pure high-end system by any means, and is considered mid-fi at best, but definitely better than ANY "all in one" rack you can buy right now.

And check this out, you will have a three-way speaker system you can place directly near a rear wall, a reasonably powerful amplifier to drive them with, with a very good phono stage, and is Dual Mono as well, a wickedly good phono cartridge that has a reputation of showing up phono carts that are up to three times it price tag, and a brand new in the box CD Player (which you can upgrade later on by adding an DAC’s and you can then turn your CD Player into a High-End/High Performance Transport), all for less than $1,000.00.

Take some time out, visit some stores/salons that specialize in high quality, but well cared for vintage gear, shop here at Audiogon (if you still can), and you’ll always be surprised at what you can find at e-Bay.


Happy Listening...


--Charles--

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