armyscout41 is spot-on IMHO. I've used Carver products off and on since the 70's and enjoyed them immensely. It's great to have different end-user audio processing options to make up for whatever we perceive as disappointments in our listening experience. Audio is very subjective and what sounds great to one person may sound uninteresting or even disturbing to another. Many people don't consider any difference in sound between a $300 and a $2,000 turntable something that merits the difference in price, and for them that is the right decision. No judgement here. And it's not silly to buy a $35,000 turntable if it makes your listening experience more satisfying and you can afford it. It's not always about the sound, but it is always about perception and enjoying the experience.
Carver sonic holography
My wife was at a thrift store and found a Carver CT-seven preamp (she said she could tell it was good because it had handles :)in perfect condition for $20 dollars(I've never thought much of Carver equipment, even when i sold it 15 years ago) - I hooked it into my system (musical fidelity studio t amp, mac mini with behringer DAC) and all I can say is WOW! I'm not one usually for gimmics but when the sonic holography is on the sound stage is as wide as the room (20ft) and instruments are razor sharp in placement(I'm a big sound stage guy) what gives? - I've tried it with mg12's,AR m5's, Vandersteen 2ces and a pair of cheap Polk monitor 40's -the sound stage on all these speakers improves dramatically and I really dig the sound i'm hearing(on most songs) - has anyone else had this experience with the sonic holography?