Comparing a Yamaha s301bl to a rega elicit mk5 - a/b on some paradigm 800fs and they sound the exact same. Looking at the specs it makes sense - I don’t know why I’d ever use the full wattage of even the Yamaha without getting hearing damage and the THD being 0.019% vs 0.004% makes no functional difference. Are high end amps the new snake oil? What exactly are you getting for 10x the price here (besides the rega having less features and the rega brand name?)
It’s the lack of a dedicated listening room! Mine is the den which has a giant sectional on one wall and full of toddler toys. Those really help with the resonances.
This.
The room make a lot of difference to the sound and how you experience it.
At home. The difference between the Argon Audio SA1 and the Cambridge Audio CXA81 are small.
In a dedicated listening room in a hifi store. The difference between the Cambridge Audio CXA81 and the Hegel H95 are much bigger and more noticeable.