Do folks on WBF care about budget priced audio gear, tweaks, etc.?

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2011
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Just curious. To clarify what I mean by budget, speaker systems, amps, preamps, int. amps, source gear under $5K; cables, cartridges, iso platforms, audio racks under $1K.

If so, how many folks have this gear in their main system?

Trying to determine forum consensus of what the "B" means in WBF. :cool:
 

WLVCA

Member Sponsor
Nov 2, 2012
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I have gear in that price range in my systems and have interest in reading about it.

However, I look elsewhere for that information as WBF is oriented towards higher end gear.

No problem with that orientation, it is that way by design / intent.

Lots of other places to look for information on lower priced equipment although I have to admit I haven't been buying much audio gear of late.
 

Al M.

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Sep 10, 2013
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Just curious. To clarify what I mean by budget, speaker systems, amps, preamps, int. amps, source gear under $5K; cables, cartridges, iso platforms, audio racks under $1K.

If so, how many folks have this gear in their main system?

Trying to determine forum consensus of what the "B" means in WBF. :cool:

In my system:
Simaudio Moon 260 DT CD transport, $ 1,800
Schiit Yggdrasil DAC $ 2,300
ZenWave Audio D4 cables, $ 975 (0.5 m between DAC and pre, other lengths more expensive)
Pass B1 buffered preamp (no gain), $ 1,000
Amp stand $ 800

However, I look elsewhere for that information as WBF is oriented towards higher end gear.

Make that "pricier gear". The above are very high end, even though probably not the very best (that would be WVBF ;)).. They are good enough to allow my amp (Octave RE 320 + Super Black Box, $ 13,000) and speaker system (Reference3A Reflector, $ 12,000, JL Audio Fathom 112v2 subs, 2 x $ 3,700) to shine.
 

NorthStar

Member
Feb 8, 2011
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Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
I look @ here for what's best in everything in life, even the inexpensive stuff, the value for the buck stuff, the best of the best.

The "B" for me means price is no "oBject".

Yes I have audiophile interconnect for less than $200
Yes I have audio sources for less than $2,000
Yes I have music on CDs from between $15 and $45 a piece.
Yes I still have a vintage music collection of LPs.

What's Best is the Music that moves me Best. ...And it's vast like from an ocean to another.

* This, is usually the type of threads Caesar likes to start; just slightly on the higher caliber end of the equation.

I love expensive stuff; cars, hi-fi stereos, state-of-the-art turntables, the best jazz music, the best classical music, the best blues music, the best looking everything.
...Inside and out.
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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Absolutely. I have really enjoyed reading from those who've spent time with:

OLD
- the old Celestion SL600 and the matching dipole 6000 sub system
- the old Forte 4 Class A 50-watt amp which was an absolute gem
- the Celestion SL6si which retailed for $600 back in its day
- the Apogee Stages which i nearly bought years ago demo for $1500 and would have been a steal then and today by almost any measure that matters to me
- The old Audioquest Emerald and Diamond Interconnnects from the '90s which were amazing and i still keep a couple of pairs of Emeralds for video/extra hook ups

NEW
- the new Funk Audio and Rhythmic Subs which are supposedly amazing
- The Sennheiser 650HD headphones
- Would LOVE to hear about 'mid-budget' amps for these 'phones...currently using a $250 Arcam rHead which is great but frankly seems to max out before the headphones do
 

LL21

Well-Known Member
Dec 26, 2010
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I love the smell of a huge discount and massive depreciation on SOTA for sale. ;)
 

jeff1225

Well-Known Member
Jan 29, 2012
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I think if the entire SME 3012R thread has taught us anything, its the B is What's Best stands for what sounds the best and not what's most expensive.
 

Folsom

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Oct 25, 2015
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I think if the entire SME 3012R thread has taught us anything, its the B is What's Best stands for what sounds the best and not what's most expensive.

This.

But I think we can fool ourselves at times by flashier stuff. However, a lot of stuff that sounds amazing does cost more - but not always as much as a nice car.
 

cjfrbw

Well-Known Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Hey, Dudeabides, you trying to wreck the reps of the audio oligarchs or something?
 

Gregadd

WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Yes! Everyone wants to win "Best in Show" but "Best in Breed" is not bad either.
 

thedudeabides

Well-Known Member
Jan 16, 2011
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Hey, Dudeabides, you trying to wreck the reps of the audio oligarchs or something?

Nope, my sense is that many forum members have upscale, pricey gear and that's fine with me because they are passionate about music listening and spend frequent quality, one on one time with their systems.

As I said, I'm just curious and not out to start a food fight. Lack of posts will be an indicator.

Most of my gear was store demos (I like full warranties) so i was able to pick up at what i consider budget / value pricing and most satisfy the price criteria I stated in my initial post except for my Shunyata wire and my recently purchased JA Pulsar speakers.
 

spiritofmusic

Well-Known Member
Jun 13, 2013
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Do we include £700 spent on Terminator air bearing linear tracking arm, that people who've previously owner 5x pricier Kuzma Airline and Airtangent have swapped for?
I still consider the Terminator close to the biggest bargain in the high end.
 

NorthStar

Member
Feb 8, 2011
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Does this count for someone to care?
https://www.businessinsider.com/trntbl-wireless-turntable-review-2018-3

 

Mosin

[Industry Expert]
Mar 11, 2012
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Bob,

I don't believe anyone here really cares about your example. This is What's Best Forum after all. Still, price in and of itself does not tell us what is best. Neither does the time of a product's issue, in my opinion.

One day, someone will start a thread with a general title that aims to address what is really best. I will probably go out on a suicidal limb when that happens. LOL

For now, I have had my say.
 

Bruce B

WBF Founding Member, Pro Audio Production Member
Apr 25, 2010
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www.pugetsoundstudios.com
There are a couple here that think the latest/greatest/most expensive gear is the best. They are chasing their tails. It may sound different, but not any "better".

Running a studio, I have to make good business decisions. Because I cater to the audiophile, I do have to have the best sounding, but as we have all learned, the best sounding is not the most $$$.

I use my 2nd and 3rd system to check masters on other equipment. Those systems are are less than $5k.
 

Mosin

[Industry Expert]
Mar 11, 2012
895
13
930
There are a couple here that think the latest/greatest/most expensive gear is the best. They are chasing their tails. It may sound different, but not any "better".

Running a studio, I have to make good business decisions. Because I cater to the audiophile, I do have to have the best sounding, but as we have all learned, the best sounding is not the most $$$.

I use my 2nd and 3rd system to check masters on other equipment. Those systems are are less than $5k.

Bingo.
 

NorthStar

Member
Feb 8, 2011
24,305
1,323
435
Vancouver Island, B.C. Canada
Bob,

I don't believe anyone here really cares about your example. This is What's Best Forum after all. Still, price in and of itself does not tell us what is best. Neither does the time of a product's issue, in my opinion.

One day, someone will start a thread with a general title that aims to address what is really best. I will probably go out on a suicidal limb when that happens. LOL

For now, I have had my say.

Win, it was just humor, nothing else, simple human humor.
We care more about people than our gear, we care more about visiting the beautiful places and people of our planet than listening music in our listening rooms, we care more about being there in real life in front of the musicians than trying to replicate them in our rooms. ...No matter how much money we spend, no matter how much money we save, no matter what, we care about people, about musicians.
Music matters, but less than the players playing it, and less than the gear it's playing on.
 

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