gofar99 Messages: 1947 Registered: May 2010 Location: Southern Arizona
Illuminati (5th Degree)
Hi, I have encountered a number of similar thought, both pro and con. I find there is some merit to each. If you go the really cheap route and get big box store stuff it is almost always unsatisfactory in some manner. Frequently it will not last well. But it is inexpensive. At the other end buying extremely expensive gear may also prove unsatisfactory, particularly from the cost aspect. There is a huge middle ground however that can often provide nearly the same level of audio performance at modest cost. What constitutes modes cost is up to the individual. While these are rather general statements, I find there are areas that to my thinking are high priced snake oil. I can not even begin to justify $1000 power cords, weird looking wooden do dads that are supposed to harmonize the room, costly wooden blocks to raise my wires off the floor and so on. I guess in the long run, I don't believe that high cost equates to high performance. Careful selection of components above the big box level will in all likelihood be quite suitable for audio reproduction. Gold plated gizmos are just like chrome on cars...a sales gimmick designed to lure you away from your hard earned dollars.