Much to be said for this post I think.... "
Myself, I collect and use the best vintage gear from the Golden Age of
High End - 1965 - 85! That was when the most innovative (and
affordable!) stuff was made! Since then prices have only risen for NO
real advances in sound quality!
"
Recently auditioned a $5K and $7500 preamps by Audio Research to possibly replace my 25 year old AR LS2B MKII R. the store was using a $100K + 4 box CD player and probably $40K in cables, very expensive amps and speakers and full room treatments, playing CD's I brought and am familiar with. My first comment was what happened to the sound stage, it's all constricted size wise and well off in the distance. Then they changed the speakers to a $35K set on stands. .. which were not the equal of my 25 year old acoustats. All my gear is 25+ years old and stands up superiorly to direct comparison.
Recently auditioned a $5K and $7500 preamps by Audio Research to possibly replace my 25 year old AR LS2B MKII R. the store was using a $100K + 4 box CD player and probably $40K in cables, very expensive amps and speakers and full room treatments, playing CD's I brought and am familiar with. My first comment was what happened to the sound stage, it's all constricted size wise and well off in the distance. Then they changed the speakers to a $35K set on stands. .. which were not the equal of my 25 year old acoustats. All my gear is 25+ years old and stands up superiorly to direct comparison.