Does hearing the best in high end audio make your opinions more valid?

I don't believe that hearing the best high end audio equipment makes one's opinion more valid. it is good for comparison of systems and the ability to reproduce recorded music.

 I will say that for people that actually listen to music as opposed to background music (nothing wrong with that), it is important to know what instruments actually sound like to know what is real and what is a characteristic of bad recordings or bad equipment or both.

Then, when you hear reproduced music, especially recorded music that is suppose to have background dimensionality, space, depth, proper sounding instruments, etc. and you don't hear that, or the sound drives you out of the room, you know.

I like to go to my favorite store and sit and listen in their stupidly expensive room to my favorite music or theirs.  Just to get an idea of what the recorded music is suppose to sound like, or a good impression.

Then, when I hear the music on other systems, and don't hear certain things, I know why. 

However, I can tell you that many times it is the room also.  This is why so many people get so frustrated or angry when they spend quality time listening to store equipment, buy something, take it home and it sounds completely different in their home with their equipment.

I know that there is equipment that is seriously overpriced.  However, quality high end equipment is simply that, and, there is a reason why there exist low fi, mid fi and high end (low high end, mid high end, and top high end) equipment.

Same with cars.  A Nissan Versa will get you to the same place as a Mercedes S560.  However, the S560 is a better designed and built car.  Same with audio equipment.  There are levels.

Your opinion may not be more valid listening to ultra high end equipment, especially if you are happy with where you are with your system.  You might just be "there".  doesn't mean the ultra high end equipment isn't better that your stuff.  It probably is.  But, if in your system, compared to the ultra high end stuff, you are "there" and your system reproduces the music accurately, then okay.

You can always get better. 

In track and field we say that there is always someone faster, stronger, can jump higher or faster. It is just on a particular day in a particular track meet that you may win.  But don't get the "big head".  There is always someone out there that is better.

Same with audio equipment.  There is always something better.  But, is it worth it to you to spend ungodly amounts to "upgrade" to that level?

I've listened to some amazing systems.  I feel that I'm "there" with my system.  Can I get better?  absolutely.

When one gets to a certain level with "high end" equipment, in my opinion and based on my experience, there really isn't jaw dropping differences.

But to have a valid "opinion" you better know what music and instruments actually are suppose to sound like first.

enjoy

Hearing ability changes over time and not everyone hears music the same.  If you take on of those detailed hearing examinations in an enclosed soundproof room you will see that your hearing has gaps.

it is scary.  This is a good reason why equalizers are needed.  not only for room correction, but more importantly, for personal hearing.

The problem comes when the equalizer is installed and set up for your hearing preferences or gaps and someone else comes over and listens and to them it doesn't sound quite right.

I'm pretty sure that I don't hear the highs quite as well as I once did.  My Krell KBX crossover has adjustments for that.  But, not quite as good as a decent equalizer.

I remember ages ago when I was interested in a pair of Martin Logan Sequel II speakers, I set up an appointment at Christopher Hansen in LA .  Naturally they had to set up the system so I and my friend waited in another room.  Well, that room had top of the line Goldmund Apologue (I believe) speakers, Mark Levinson 23.5 amps, Goldmund top turntable, etc.  I brought my own music and just had to hear this system.  Well the salesperson told me that it would ruin my ear for the speakers I wanted to demo.  I didn't care,

This was the first time I heard the artist step out of the speakers.  I closed my eyes and could see where artist was on the stage, the piano, the bass player, etc.  It was amazing. 

it didn't ruin my ear at all. In fact it actually helped me obtain a reference point for what reproduced music should sound like.  That was my first venture from mid fi to real high end and I've not looked back.

Glubson:  I saw the Mercedes S560 at the LA auto show.  What a car!!!  Definitely not a Versa.

enjoy