Playing beyond it's price point

Kingrex

Kingrex

Active member
Joined
Dec 17, 2017
Messages
1,187
Location
Seattle Washington USA
Does any piece of equipment really play beyond its price point. I feel like it's become an overused phrase for every review or personal validation of a purchase. Would it be more accurate to say everything is playing to its price point and a few pieces are playing under their value?
 
Chord Hugo M Scaler -takes the DAVE to a whole new level
ISOAcoustics GAIA
AudioQuest Hurricane PC. This power cord pounds the Ansuz DTC at 1/10 the price.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Kingrex said:
Does any piece of equipment really play beyond its price point. I feel like it's become an overused phrase for every review or personal validation of a purchase. Would it be more accurate to say everything is playing to its price point and a few pieces are playing under their value?
Click to expand...

No
 
Rex.......You pay, you play, you pray. Whether a component is noteworthy with respect to price versus performance ultimately comes down to personal opinion. It's the same way with complete systems, too. If an audio component truly stands toe to toe with performance that equals similar components costing multiples more, wonderful. I call that real value. Ultimately, I only care how it sounds in my sound system, not how it stands up to X,Y, or Z. One thing is certain, we all have opinions. Fortunately for me, mine is the only one that matters. . :cool:
 
Well the Denafrips Terminator DAC is the best sub $5,000 DAC I have heard in my system. If presented through a dealer network it would probably cost in the neighborhood of $9,000. Great bargain to me.
 
almarro a318b

this point-to-point, hand wired integrated amp has responded brilliantly to every system improvement thrown at it, and i still don't think i have yet to reveal its full potential. don't think i could replicate it for 5x or maybe even 10x the price.

this amp was the gateway-drug into this hobby.
 
It starts with interest, review then decision and yes there are going to be contenders and sometimes the truth does hurt.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
The concept of value, a ratio of price and performance, is subjective and different for everyone. If I were to name one company whose value surpasses most people’s expectations it would be Oppo. Too bad they are no longer selling the products that made them famous.
 
So were seeing a list of parts and a few taste is subjective comments. It sounds like people really feel some gear plays better than other similar equipment at the same price.
 
I am going to throw a component into the ring.

Odyssey Stratos Amplifiers

I think the value is better than the price between performance and warranty.
 
If you take just about any receiver it will play well beyond its price point when compared to the crazy prices we pay for "high-end" audio.

In one way or another we all justify paying X more for often infinitesimal improvement in SQ and industrial design.
 
I would say that some of the best bang for the bucks may very well come from companies that we have never heard of. Take for example, I had never heard of Audio Mirror. I saw one and it looked interesting and did some research. Decided, what the heck, lets give it a go. Best sounding amplifiers I have ever heard. And then an actual review came out in The Absolute Sound and the reviewer agreed. Raving about the amplifiers and saying he would give them his top recommendation even at twice their price. That is a value to me...

I actually had Vlad build me one of his pre-amps because I was so impressed with the quality of sound, parts used, and construction. It will be arriving this week. I believe I should be equally impressed; he is a true audiophile and all his equipment has to pass his listening tests at each design stage.

But each person has their own needs and desires. What one person considers an amazing deal others may say not worth the money... so I guess that is all personal.
 
Kingrex said:
... everything is playing to its price point and a few pieces are playing under their value?
Click to expand...

It´s hard to answer. You must put time in the equation.
At 10 years ago you paid 10.000 €/$ to get some quality level you can achieve today for, let´s say... half of that money?
Saying that, i think you find more easily over priced gear, especially when it cames from the leader brands on the market.
In some cases you are paying the discovery, the design, the novelty. There´s nothing wrong with that if you have the money :scholar:and you know what you are paying for.
 
I agree there was a much bigger difference between high end gear and consumer grade electronics and speakers thirty years ago. I am amazing at the performance for so few dollars you can get today. That gap has narrowed.
 
I find high grade pricing staggering today. Consumer grade is dirt cheap. IMO.

It's that in-between getting the beyond its price point praise. All the $3k to $5k DAC that make anything $15k and less a waste of money. Have to step up to a $30k DAC to do better. I think I hear a lot of the talk in digital. But, most magazine issues have 1 product per issue that get special praise. Maybe a Hana phono cartridge, some cable, maybe a speaker. I just feel I hear the phrase uses a lot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top