My wife and I heard the finest, most engrossing music reproduction system which involved Von Schweikert Ultra 11 (and Ultra 9 later) speakers in a $1 million to $1.5 million system. Nationally, maybe two or three dozen reviewers were astonished and also considered this speaker and it's set-up as the finest they have heard or one of them. I've heard several 100 $100,000+ systems and most were huge disappointments. Some were very good indeed but not at this level (using my own LPs and CD). Out of my price range though although someday I will purchase one of their lower cost speakers, new or used (best for my custom listening room would be the Ultra 7).
Really expensive systems that sounded great?
I often laugh at megabucks systems ($100K and above) I hear because so often they are just OK, or the presentation is so off in one dimension or another I can barely listen to them for long.
What I’d like to ask now is what megabucks systems have you heard which you felt actually were worth the asking price? I don’t mean incrementally better than your $20k system. I mean leaps and bounds. Anyone?
The best system close to that I ever heard was the top of the line Vandersteen speakers and Vandersteen monoblock amps driven by VTL preamp (I believe) at a show in Oakland. Nothing else I heard in that price range or above sounded worth it to my poor ears.
Lets try to stay wealth-positive here and stick to things we actually LIKED. 😁
Showing 2 responses by fleschler
@kota1 I've heard several 100 $100,000+ systems and most were huge disappointments. Yes, at over 15 high end stereo shows and at least a dozen SoCal audio showrooms in the past. The worst was the Chrisopher Hansen showroom in Beverly Hills (30 years ago?) with Wilson's first speaker (5 boxes stacked) and Audio Research gear. It sounded like five boxes shouting at me. Totally incoherent. I can understand why I was disappointed at show sound because of rooms and setups. As to needing to spend $100,000 to obtain SOTA sound, well, yes, some of the best speakers I've heard are quite expensive. Sure, a Maggie sounds great but to obtain great dynamics and bass requires their largest speakers, subs and ample power and associated equipment (cables, pre-amp and sources). That can approach $30-100k easily. To obtain really fine sound, even high end sound does not require an expenditure of $100K+. That's why I am usually disappointed above that price point as it better represent an SOTA system sound or else. |