What defines mid-fi versus high-end?


I’m in my mid fifties and I recall 30 years back mid-fi to me fell into the NAD, Adcom, B&K…. For high-end I considered Mac, some of the Counterpoint offerings, Cary…. so forth.  I had another post going where I mentioned I acquired an Onkyo  home theater receiver that retailed new for $1,100.   Yet another agoner responded that it does not rate as mid-fi.   We all have our opinions of course.   So right or wrong here.
How do you define the parameters of high-end versus mid-if?  By money range, by brand…?

 

pdspecl

Showing 4 responses by pdspecl

Lg1 made a good point.   I recall going to various audio stores in CT.  There would be the ‘high’ end room having all separate components, exotic brands that were out of my price range.  Then there would be one or more mid-fi rooms with NAD, Adcom…. separate components and receivers……. So the dealers certainly had a hand in planting this mindset by segregating brands and price points.

I recently jumped back into audio and put a system together for under 1k.  Tekton Lore speakers,  Rega Brio integrated amp,  Schiit Modi dac via and older NAD dvd/cd player I already had.  Definitely not high-end but the combination works well and I’m not wanting for more.   Mid-fi fits me fine I guess.