I wouldn't go that far Lloydc.
To continue the car analogy:
I'd consider something like the VPI Traveler or a comparably priced Rega to be analogous to a Civic.
A good $3k table would be more like a Golf GTI, a Mazdaspeed, or a high performance Subaru, or a Mini Cooper S.
Not the ultimate in performance, but surprisingly high performance for the buck. And can be tweaked to up the performance even more if you get the itch (though this applies less to the Amadeus, for better for worse).
To continue the car analogy:
I'd consider something like the VPI Traveler or a comparably priced Rega to be analogous to a Civic.
A good $3k table would be more like a Golf GTI, a Mazdaspeed, or a high performance Subaru, or a Mini Cooper S.
Not the ultimate in performance, but surprisingly high performance for the buck. And can be tweaked to up the performance even more if you get the itch (though this applies less to the Amadeus, for better for worse).