Many Phonostages share similar Topologies and when Demonstrations are carried out where a comparison is available, even if for a limititation of the time allocated for each Demonstration.
It can soon become quite evident that a selection of Phonostages sound very Similar, especially in SS to SS and Valve/Hybrid to Valve Hybrid Comparisons.
At Bake Off's I have attended, a £300 - £600 SS DIY Build, where a large proportion of the costings is seen in the casing and casing attachments, and where a Builder will inform the audience that they had discarded a large selection of components for matching purposes, that has added to the cost, have been witnessed to fit comfortably into the SS Category of up to £4000.
My own experience is that I have preferred the DIY Models over
Branded Models Demonstrations costing upto £3000ish, as well as think that some are almost parity in their performances.
Branded Phonostages I have heard that are approaching the Higher £3000's can usually be seen to deliver a much improved performance and separate themselves from the Line Up.
I would think this has got quite a bit to do with the Designers 'Know How'.
How these Perceptions would unraval, if extended listening was carried out in the Home System will also produce different assessments of the comparisons.
As said it is all about the ears as the tool to discover a preferential presentation.
It can soon become quite evident that a selection of Phonostages sound very Similar, especially in SS to SS and Valve/Hybrid to Valve Hybrid Comparisons.
At Bake Off's I have attended, a £300 - £600 SS DIY Build, where a large proportion of the costings is seen in the casing and casing attachments, and where a Builder will inform the audience that they had discarded a large selection of components for matching purposes, that has added to the cost, have been witnessed to fit comfortably into the SS Category of up to £4000.
My own experience is that I have preferred the DIY Models over
Branded Models Demonstrations costing upto £3000ish, as well as think that some are almost parity in their performances.
Branded Phonostages I have heard that are approaching the Higher £3000's can usually be seen to deliver a much improved performance and separate themselves from the Line Up.
I would think this has got quite a bit to do with the Designers 'Know How'.
How these Perceptions would unraval, if extended listening was carried out in the Home System will also produce different assessments of the comparisons.
As said it is all about the ears as the tool to discover a preferential presentation.