Where does one draw the line between Mid-fi and Hi-fi?
I live 10 miles due north of T.H.E. Show and you are welcome to come by and hear how good a 14 year old Oppo BDP-95 through 23 year old Yamaha RX-Z9 and "home made" 30-40+ year old JBL/AMT speakers can sound. I designed the speakers for the room over countless years and iterations of crossover development and can put the band right in the room with you. Total investment was <$6,000 and I purchased the Yamaha new back in 2002 ($4,500 less 10% back then). Receiver now has over 30,000 hours on it and still functions as new.
Both the RECEIVER and Oppo are run in "Pure Direct" mode and there is no eq or room compensation, electronic or physical used for music.
Would any of this be considered as Hi-end"??? I doubt it!
BUT!!! I attended T.H.E. Show last year and this puts most of what I heard at 10 times the cost to shame. Talk about a "disappearing act"...
You are certainly welcome to come by for a listen.