I used to have an old aiwa minisystem and thought that sounded fine for years. It wasn't until I got a decent pair of bookshelves and integred that I realized what was missing. It's the soundstage and image, the sense of space in the sound. You loose that sense of spaciousness when listening to a cheap minisystem or radio. You don't need a megabucks system to get some descent imaging and soundstage.
In regards to the original post, I've found that high end audio is alot more then just buying components and plugging them in and pressing play. From speaker placement, to toe in, to room treatments, there is so much that goes into it and if you don't get it right, you can end up unsatisfied.
In regards to the original post, I've found that high end audio is alot more then just buying components and plugging them in and pressing play. From speaker placement, to toe in, to room treatments, there is so much that goes into it and if you don't get it right, you can end up unsatisfied.