I realize many audiophiles like the latest and greatest and lust for the more expensive gear, but I’ve gotta say that nowadays, a modest priced system can literally kick some serious musical ass!
I own a low cost system (1,000 bucks) but well optimized with filter,buffer, linear power supply, anti vibration and resonance mechanisms (homemade) with tweaks of my own (Schumann generators at critical spot) and an acoustically controlled small room . My speakers are modified but low cost edifier...
I am proud of my system... The ratio cost/S.Q. beat almost anything...( Take notice that it is not my system which beat anything but the ratio between his low price and high S.Q.)
And when i listen others system at any price even through youtube i am proud of mine...
The only system/room that makes me jealous are totally dedicated acoustic room which cost near 250,000 bucks...
I called "the minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold" the state i reach with a 1000 bucks system/room..
There is 5 factors:
---gear modification (my speakers vent hole and tweeter guide are modified)
---- Tweaks as the Schumann generators and others homemade one
---- the three optimization process of the mechanical (vibrations/resonance controls) , electrical (EMI shielding, buffer & filtering control, linear power supply) and acoustical (not only panels for reflections,absorptions or diffusions but Helmholtz resonators grid ) working dimensions are very important