How many different really exotic (high-end / $50k+) home stereo systems have you heard?
(pictured: Wilson Audio speakers that can be yours for $300k+)
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I used to work in the music industry and had the luxury of visiting many music studios and mastering studios, so I’m not sure if my vote is cheating.
Nope totally legit experiences. Playback reference systems are VERY similar to high-end home audio. Many brands like Shunyata and Wilson are popular in both circles.
A place I used to work manufactures PA systems. The system they had in the aerobics room sounded like a Rock Concert. I expect that one qualifies.
This is a tough one for me, I used to work next to an amazing audiophile level stereo shop that catered to the wealthy of SoCal. If I remember correctly I think they had 6 or 7 listening rooms and an theatre room with an amazing projector/SS setup. I don’t know if I could say I listened to 125 different systems but definitely that many variations and most were worth far more than 50k. I think I was lucky enough to be well thought of by their employees and due to my respectfulness, reading and taste in music I got to listen to stuff I will likely never be able to afford. I think I was also lucky in that they knew where I worked and that I couldn’t even afford their least expensive rig so I would get left in the room with some records and 200k worth of gear to simply listen my lunch breaks away. It taught me a lot and even though I cannot afford that grade of gear it very much cemented that it’s worth it if you can afford it. Those were good times.
If you’ve been to any hi-fi audio shows, you are in the one of highest 2 categories.
The teacher for the audio engineering class in my highschool had an expensive system. He also owns a full stage speakers setup.
Most expensive I’ve heard was Focal Sopra 2’s, Naim Solstice turntable, and a stack of Naim pre and power amps.
i’ve listened to grande utopias and thought the diablos sounded better lol
When I want to upgrade a component and want to find out more information, I visit audio shops and shows. Was at AXPONA 2 times besides certain high end shops.
Here is the reason I do this:
I visited a dealership when I was new to the hobby and there was this older gentleman there. I told him by budget for the speakers. He asked me to come in and listen to a system that consisted of Sonus Faber Stradivari with Nagra Amps and sources. I am guessing the entire setup was $75k. Seeing the surprise on my face he said that he is NOT expecting me to buy anything in that room. But when you listen to this setup and then go and listen to the speakers in your budget, it will (kind of) give you and idea of which of the speakers you feel compromises the least from what I heard in that $$$$ system.
“The world is full of compromise and infinite red tape. But the music’s got the magic, it’s your one chance for escape.”
Oddly enough, it was the electronics that pushed the system over that limit, not the speakers. I had the chance to hear an entire top-end Levinson backend playing through a set of Aerial 10Ts. Probably $75k worth of electronics, driving $7k worth of speaker.
That being said, I’d love to hear a set of Wilsons someday.
I answered no, I didn’t figure concerts/public systems like IMAX counted. Also, don’t know the cost of those systems.
The question says “home stereo” because Pro Audio is primarily made to be rugged, portable, and able to blare at jet engine sound pressure levels. Most audiophiles find it to be fatiguing and harsh sounding, lacking detail.
Same. Have heard countless live shows. But unfortunately have not sat in front of anything north of about $40k.
I’ve heard several systems in this price range but only two that really stood out.
The first was focal utopias power by some crazy high powered tube Monoblocks. It was the first time I heard speakers that didn’t sound like the singer was in the room with me but rather I had been transported to the very room where the track was recorded.
The second was a Sonus Fabre system that just floored me. Crazy bass without a subwoofer in site. I do think part of the reason this system impressed me so much was how dynamic it was. My main system consists of magnepan 1.7is and while I absolutely love my systems, those Sonus fabers showed my just how much more dynamic traditional speakers can be.
Honorable mention goes to a system with Klipsch lascalas I heard awhile back. Probably came in around 25k. It may not have gone down as low as many other speaker’s can go but their sound was down right hypnotic. I didn’t get to spend nearly as much time with them as I would have liked and the memory has faded but I suspect given another chance, I might like them best of all.
I’ve never experienced a $50k+ stereo “REDDIT AUDIOPHILE” aka total noob. Probably downvotes more experienced audiophiles who actually know what they are talking about and lectures people.
I’ve heard one that was over $50k+ “POPPED CHERRY - WFT DID I JUST EXPERIENCE?” aka you have taken your first real step towards learning about high-quality playback. You’ve risen over the 99% of audio nerds and you have now “heard the light” and you know what is possible. You are more open-minded to talk about audio things you do not understand. Far less ego. Teachable.
I’ve heard between 1 - 5 $50k+ stereos. “SERIOUSLY EXPOSED TO HIGH END- NO GOING BACK!” aka you are probably in trouble, and are going to end up losing a lost of money buying gear you don’t need now.
I’ve heard between 5 - 25 stereos in the $50k+ range. “DISCERNING AUDIOPHILE” aka its too late for you. You have a hard time fitting in socially with other Reddit Audiophiles (see above).
I’ve heard between 25 - 125 stereos in the $50k+ range. “SERIOUS CRITICAL LISTENER AUDIOPHILE” aka you have drank the Kool-Aid and you chuckle at all of the people lecturing about how cables don’t matter, etc. (who are incidentally mostly in the "I’ve never experienced a $50k+ stereo crowd). You also can’t get along socially with other Reddit Audiophiles… you probably have a lot of odd and peculiar components and are highly opinionated but you know what you are talking about and don’t care what others say anyways.
I’ve listened to more than 125 exotic stereos that were $50k+. “PRO LEVEL” aka, What do you do for a living? Dang brother. I’d love to learn from you what is your favorite sounding 5 systems of all time. Would love to get some tips from you.My brother has a $50K + set up. His audiophile club members have some too. I’ve been along with him to some of the listening parties.
Genuine question. Do people not go to Hi-Fi convention? Each one of them probably have at least 10 of this setups.
Every audiophile hifi shop I’ve ever seen has at least one $50k+ system. I think that the vast majority of people in this particular crowd have never even been inside a legit audiophile shop — let alone an audiophile convention. To me, this explains why so many valid posts tend to get downvoted, and why this group in general seems not to relate well to descriptive terminology that audiophiles use.
I think instead of just reading about what people should hear and like, people need to pop their audiophile cherries and actually hear first-hand what a properly set up system is capable of, and then get advice from the shops they like best because they are all different.
These conventions are like wine or Scotch tasting sessions for audiophiles. Every serious audiophile should make it a goal to at least visit several audiophile shops.
Yeah, I can definitely notice the difference between this community and the community I’ve met at convention and shops.
Though, I would add that Hi-FI convention setups tend to not have as good of a setup as a dedicated setup on an audiophile shop. Most of Hi-Fi convention setups are limited to the room that they are given. Hence, lots of them have mediocre acoustic treatment.
Absolutely, it’s a bit of an echo chamber in here. Amps make no difference. DACs make no difference. Cables make no difference. Only speakers make a difference. Said no one who’s been around hi-fi much, but half the people in here shout it from every available rooftop.
Went to the hifi show in bristol and listened to a load, but the thing is each room was different and some of them were at a massive disadvantage with the rooms they had, with room modes and all that jazz that they couldn’t fix easily. Some brought acoustic treatment in, but it really was not a fair test. My favourites on the whole show were not the sonos faber or focal with the big stands it was actually a pair of £5000 speaker by Qualiio (https://www.hifipig.com/qualio-iq-loudspeakers-review/) so I am pretty sure the whole set up was probably below £50k.