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??? Where Does "High End" Start ???

 There are terms we in this hobby use to describe certain characteristics of the components or sound evoked...Without fail,the terms entry level,mid-fi & high end will show up in component reviews or conversations regarding equipment components...
 So exactly how do we define these terms in absolutes?I understand there are components that,in this day & age,outperform their asking price in orders of magnitude but even if they do,they will invariably be tagged as entry level,mid-fi or high end simply based on their asking price..
 Assuming entry level starts at say $500.00 per component,where does that end & mid-fi start,$2500.00 per component,$3500.00,$4500.00,$5000.00?
 How far does that pricing structure go until you consider a component to be "high end"?
What are YOUR PERSONAL thoughts on this subject?

freediver
devinplombier
856 posts
 

To me High End has the look, the feel, & the sound. Beautiful pieces..you know what I mean. You open them & every part down to the screws & resistors are top shelf. Cables, connectors, knobs, whatever is in eye's sight looks & feels like a million bucks. Match that with beautiful sound & I'll say that's some High End equipment right thar'. 

Precisely. And if your insecurities compel you to relate that to a price tag, then you're not an audiophile.

pennpencil
128 posts
 

How does the label “Hugh end” matter? If I spent $20,000 and you’ve spent $80,000 but I like the sound of my system better, does the label “high end” matter? I heard a million dollar system and didn’t like it as much as mine. It was higher end, meaning more expensive but so what? That said, I’ve spent more than I ever expected to create the sound I want but creating the sound you want, I think is what matters.

jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,400 posts
 

To be honest, I started my high end hobby  from circuit city , Best Buy , then to our local high end stores here. Until I met 2 audiophiles who own mark levinsons, audio research, theta , and saw their expensive Audioquest , Kimber , and nice looking cables . The sound and music really is amazing.Then they told it’s high end stuff. 

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,470 posts
 

@goldenways + 1

sns
4,056 posts
 

Intention and sound quality are the arbiters of high end, not name brand or price. I've heard many systems over many decades, high price and brand name don't necessarily result in high engagement factor. Many boutique manufacturers out there, intention off the charts and they have the chops to pull off the execution. 

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