Quote Originally Posted by tube fan
You can't get much for $2,000. You can get near SOTA sound for $15,000-$20,000. My current system cost about $15,000 and can compete with ANYTHING I have heard either at shows or at audio stores. System: Fulton J speakers, Mystere CA 21 preamp, Fosgate phono unit (NOS tubes), VPI Scoutmaster, Ruby 3 cartridge, AR D 70 Amp.
Even with a budget of $15K, you won't get SOTA... So what benefit is there in listening to a SOTA system? Why not just look for the best you can get for $15K?