I've heard many $100K+ (just table) setups, and they did sound every dollar invested.
"freshly wet cleaned & vacuumed
heavy pressing of "Kind of Blue" "
Not exactly the "best" representation.
Perhaps a pristine 59 press would have been closer to the "truth."?
The thump is operator error- volume knob/mute should be engaged when dropping the needle.
If one doesn’t hear the difference, then your CD/digital setup is proper.
A "premium" setup LP setup deserves an A1 period press to fully experience the WOW!
Just my take.
I get reasonably close with a $10K setup, and of course, the best period press LP’s available. More convincing the typical "great" digital/CD playback.
Original press is the only way to play with LP’s if you listen to music pre 1980 or so.
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I had a revelatory experience with a ~$1 million dollar Wilson / Roland system many years ago. The system was carefully set up… in fact the sweet spot was on a chair on a custom built raised platform. It was a permanent setup in an audio store.
I could fill pages on the incredible three dimensional holographic imagery and micro detail. Individual sounds were holographic with a very distinct width and depth in space… like 2’ spherical… with a detailed and nuanced micro detailed spherical edge. There was lots of space between the sounds… imagine floor to ceiling and nearly wall to wall… and in a big room. It was a religious experience. It was just so over the top. My mouth was just hanging open. I listened to it for a couple hours. every tone was perfectly crafted and even a kick drum would be so accurately located that I could visualize the kit in an incredibly distinct and solid space. It was so far beyond anything I could imagine I was changed forever.
I simply had no idea this was possible. Coming away with shivers and emotional exhaustion I realized how amazing it was but that I didn’t want that. I did realize that if I could have a second system off in a separate room I would love it as my secondary system. But my main system needed to sound like real music (I use that word now, at the time I wasn’t sure how to describe the sound I wanted).
Experiences like this are crucial in developing a deep foundation of understanding of high end audio so ultimately you can create the perfect system for yourself. I can’t thank Wilson and Rowland and the retailer for that experience.
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I’ve heard a lot of expensive systems at shows and most of them left me feeling meh. Among them the original, snail shell B&W Nautiulus driven by stacks of Krell amplifiers and crossovers.
In terms of exceptionally good sounding and too rich for my blood was the top of the line Vandersteen speakers driven by their own amplifier and a CAT preamp.
I’ve heard the CAT in a different environment at Magico and was also really impressed by it. I wish I could have one for a long term review.
Also, and not necessarily very expensive was the Snell A/III driven by Tandberg amps. Wow. Among the very best systems designed for a living room. The Tandberg amps may not be as smooth by today's standards but they did justice to the Snell's bass cabinet in a way few other amps could do then.
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Most expensive probably close to 7 digits. No thanks. Too big and too expensive to ever work in my house. Bigger but not necessary better. Maybe if I lived in a mansion…….
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Big difference between hearing a big expensive system in a hotel ballroom at a show versus a well designed dedicated room. I’ve been in some nice rooms at dealers, but they are rarely optimal as they are often moving different pieces through or having multiple combinations of speakers, amps, sources, etc.
A modestly priced system in a good room can sound better than components costing twice as much or more and a great system in a great room can be an incredible experience that leaves you breathless. It all matters.
I didn't ask how much the most expensive system I've heard cost, it was probably over $1 million, including the custom built room. I've never heard anything close to it before or since.
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The best system I ever heard was all mbl and the cost was not horrible by high end standards. But the thing that helped make it the best was the showroom set up just right for those. Would take a lot of custom work to do that at home.
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Other than in dealer showrooms or audio shows, the most expensive system I've heard was a bit north of $500k. It was in the living room of a wealthy scion, and I spent a couple hours listening. The only specific I remember is Ypsilon Hyperion monos. The imaging, details, soundstage were all remarkable. But I found the whole thing distracting, including his well-intentioned enthusiasm, and I have to admit that I'm very slow to figure out whether I like the sound of a system. It takes me days and sometimes weeks to know how I like something -- even in my own room. Anyway, I didn't leave envious of his system ... but I did covet his art collection...
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Several.
MBL
Van Schweikert
Magico
Acora
Wilson
Estelon
All sounded great and provided what was described above. These systems are not intended for background music or casual listening. They offer an experience of a home concert for 1-2 hours. Then a break is needed. Most of the people able to afford this don’t have time to sit in front of it for 5 hours anyways.
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+1 @tom2015 - demoed many systems at audio shows and showrooms.
MBL consistently sounds great, especially the 101 and above. I’m thinking the 120/126 might be good for a shared space like a family room.
The Gryphon Commander+Apex combo sounded like an end game destination, if it was within budget..
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I will never forget Austin Acoustic 750K set up. It has liveness and musicality. Everyone in the room are shaking their head how good the system is. This is at I believe CES or axpona Westin Hotel ground floor.
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Top of the line MBL. You could walk into the soundstage and the location of the instruments was stable. I’ve heard a few others but none even came close.
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I had the good fortunate to spend an entire day at the old World of McIntosh Townhouse that used to be in SoHo, NYC. The Townhouse was closed, it was the day after an album release event, but the Director gave me total control of all 5 floors and every room, which all had specially designed systems utilizing the McIntosh family at that time (February 2020 -- McIntosh, Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Pro-Ject, Sumiko).
The Main Room (a 2 story living room/reception area) had their famous $1 Million System -- Four XRT2.1K Floor Standing Loudspeakers, 3 amps driving each speaker, multiple Subs, surround speakers, highest end preamps, processors, turntables, CD Players, Streamers...just an insane setup. The gear took up an entire room behind the 2 story bookshelf that you sat in front of to listen.
It was just surreal. An original Banksy was on one wall, and a Klimt was on the other wall. I've never heard sound systems like I heard that day. Every room was mind blowing, but the showcase system was a bucket list item for me. I still contact Franz (the Director) to this day thanking him over and over.
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Convergent Audio Technology is about 15 miles from me, and I get to hear the latest and greatest of the CAT amps and SL-1 occasionally... always very impressive. Usually in the $100K to $200K range, depending on the gear. I’ve heard the Magico S5 MkII a few times, some modified Hales, Avalon and Merlins with CAT amps. I missed out on the MBL speakers when he had them there. Looking forward to hearing his new Clarysis Audio Studio + soon. 
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under $500k mine is very nice, over that price the system at quintessence is Chicago is stunning, the system that burmester did at axpona few years ago, stunning
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$1.5M. Sounded thin to me.
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I stopped over to Legacy to pick up mu last 2 sub. (Foundations). While waiting to be loaded the owner throwed me the keys to his showroom where a pair of Legacy speakers worth 80 grand were set up. My son and I spent 20 minutes alone in there to do whatever we wanted. I can't describe what I heard. Just unbelievable.
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Forget about listening to megabuck system at shows. It's not representative of what those systems can achieve in a more controlled environment.
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