Who's the Cadillac of Hi-End Audio?

Cadillac has long been more image than substance, so MacIntosh would seem to fit.

Nissan would be a good comparison to Sony. Lots of money, can build good products but prefers to stay 'mass market.'

Audi matches up well with Krell, in my mind. I refer to the German use models, not the go karts they import. I rented an A4 TDI about a year ago and took it out on the Autobahn. My 13 year old son and I got the little A4 up to 131 mph. It went pretty good for a little car. The better Krell is more like a TT Coupe, lots of muscle, with just enough comfort to make the driver happy.

Pbb, you can like anything you want, but Japanese cars are well engineered but made of poor quality parts. Thus they are not good cars. They will never compare to the average European car, but you probably drive a Lada or Yugo anyway.

PBB I have had several VW/Audi's over the last twenty years and reliability has never been an issue. I currently have a Passat and have never had a problem with it. I have owned and driven several German cars including Audi and Mercedes that rode like a dream at any speed and I tested their ability to go fast! They did everything I demanded with aplomb. As long as ride and speed are not an issue, buy all the Japanese cars you want. Quality is obviously not an issue to you, in automobiles or stereo equipment.

German iron and steel has been known for generations to be the best available. Other countries try to emulate it's quality by adding to, or subtracting from what they are able to mine.

Japan does not have a good source for high quality iron or steel.

I spent a week driving a Jaguar last spring and was quite impressed with the quality of the ride and the construction. It is far and away better than my Passat which is better than any Japanese car I have ever driven. I must admit that I gave up on Japanese cars many years ago. I would never consider owning one when all the German/British/Swedish/Italian cars are better made and more reliable. I doubt though that you would be able to recognize the qualitative differences, based on what you have already said, so what' the point...

They are American designed and made. I have a short list of speakers which I would like to replace them including Sony SS-M9ED; B&W Signature 30's; Kharma Ceramique 1.0; or Wilson Watt/Puppies. So no Pbb I am very happy with the American Sony speakers I have.

You are probably one of the people who buy based on Consumer Reports recommendations, even though experts in the individual areas always disagree with their findings. If you are happy driving you honda or whatever, keep it. I will stick to better made German, Swedish, British, and American cars. I hope your knowledge of HiFi is better than that of cars or it must be ugly in your listening room.