The main reason I go to audio shows is so I can have a reference to compare my system to. You get to listen to expensive and professionally tuned systems and determine where your system stands. If you don't listen to other systems how could you possibly know? Highly recommended.
One other point... In many cases there seems to be a belief that "if it costs more it must be better". This is completely false. This is where the imagination takes over and people will swear they hear great "jaw dropping" improvements just because it's expensive.Â
The best example of this is a blind test in Spain where they had 30 audiophiles do a blind listening test of a $500 front end. A dirt cheap $200 Crown, class D amp, using the cheapest cables vs. a $12,000 front end.
Conclusion of the test: 1/3 picked the cheap system...1/3 picked the expensive system ...1/3 couldn't tell a difference.
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