Do sound characteristics matter when moving from midfi to hifi?
Like many, i'm waiting and researching while waiting until I can afford my next upgrades. As I read the pluses/minuses of each piece, I wonder if it only matters once you reach a certain level. Hypothetically, if going from Sony, Marantz, Schiit am I going to find something that I don't like about Pass Labs, Conrad Johnson, Coda? Everything I have, I bought online so I din't audition anything prior. Back in the 80s, when I bought my 1st system, (Yamaha, Infiniti) I bought what I could afford again without much auditioning. Just curious on the point of view from the more seasoned crowd.
Personal experience is to begin with a 'practical' Integrated as the 1st course; a receiver if you must. Try to use it to listen to as many types of speakers you accept as better than your current.... Good luck and Have Fun @ It. |
Great discussion! Everyone's audio journey is different---I started getting into hifi in the 80s (and still have the equipment). But I've also built 2 other systems along the way. One is my reference system and one is an 'experimental' system. Some pieces I bought just on reviews alone--others pieces I auditioned. Thankfully, a new hifi store recently opened up in town and the owner is very generous about letting me take pieces home to audition. I've bought a few things from him so far. Somethings that I thought were going to blow me away (based on reviews online) did nothing for me. I'm even more surprised when something lets me down sometimes vs blowing me away. Good luck and keep us posted. |
@bluorion I also have this kind of 2-system setup now, and it's extremely helpful for evaluating components. |
1. I see the separation between mid-fi and high end as being more about philosophy & voicing than price. Companies like Schiit & First Watt make cosmetic & economic compromises to produce gear with more than a whiff of high end performance. 2. There is actually MORE variation in system sound in the high end. Mid fi systems tend to use the same tried-and-true cost-effective designs, whereas high end companies will go to extreme lengths to achieve their voicing standards. Horns, electrostats, planars, ribbons, field coils, tubes, GAN FETs, R2R, FGA, etc. are all capable of making significant differences in your system. 3. I also highly recommend listening to live music, for its own merits. If you love the sound of unamplified instruments, they will set the standard you seek with your sound system. 4. Many of the responses here are from those who have made a long journey. Don't be intimidated by their stories! Go listen to as many systems as you can. Buy the speakers you like best & can afford. Build your system around them and enjoy! If you like them enough, you might not need to go through another full system upgrade for decades. Of course, you probably will need to do the occasional technology upgrade. |
