Wow I am spoiled by my new (budget) stereo. How spoiled could I get?

[reynolds532]

This week I received my new NAD 316BEE integrated amp and 525BEE cd player and hooked them up to a pristine pair of JBL L100T speakers (lucky garage sale find)

I am blown away. I can hear each instrument with clarity and location--jazz, rock, country, classical. I'm replaying all my CDs and enjoying them like never before.

I had been listening to CDs on a Phillips DVD player, Sony AV Receiver and old Sansui SP 2500 speakers.

The downside is that I am spoiled. Car radio, xm, mp3 all sound like garbled crap now.

This is a budget system with circa 1987 "California sound" speakers. Would a really nice system spoil me to the point that my budget stereo would sound terrible?

[JoeE SP9]

Sound terrible, probably not. Sound not as good as the high priced "spread", maybe, leaning to probably. The only way to find out is to audition a serious high end system. Just remember that for most of us (that have budget restraints) there is always something better. You just have to balance your wants and desires with your budget.

[Feanor]

This week I received my new NAD 316BEE integrated amp and 525BEE cd player and hooked them up to a pristine pair of JBL L100T speakers (lucky garage sale find)

I am blown away. I can hear each instrument with clarity and location--jazz, rock, country, classical. I'm replaying all my CDs and enjoying them like never before.

I had been listening to CDs on a Phillips DVD player, Sony AV Receiver and old Sansui SP 2500 speakers.

The downside is that I am spoiled. Car radio, xm, mp3 all sound like garbled crap now.

This is a budget system with circa 1987 "California sound" speakers. Would a really nice system spoil me to the point that my budget stereo would sound terrible?

Hmmm ... let me think ... YES!!

So let's say you compared you nice budget vintage system with mikel's music system -- see HERE. Your "budget stereo would sound terrible" by comparison.

But to reinforce Joe's point, there is always something better. mikel's system cost well north of $1,000,000, so there's something to aspire to.

[JohnMichael]

Enjoy your stereo. There will always be something newer, larger, more expensive and more powerful. I like the times I am not thinking about my stereo and enjoying the music. Music is the goal and equipment is what is needed to have it in your home.

[StevenSurprenant]

I'm with John on this one. Have fun with what you have. Like many here I went crazy and went down the upgrade path looking for that holy grail of sound. A lot of money disappeared and all the stuff I bought is gone. I was never happy.

There is always better. Joe has the right idea and that is to go out and listen to the best you can find. That will give you an idea to set your goals to. Don't focus on the equipment, but rather the sound.

For me, I went with DIY speakers, tubes and vinyl. I have never been happier. The really cool thing is that it cost very little in comparison to highend gear. Sure, it's not perfect, but even in the $100,000 range, I could find fault. Besides, I'm sure Mike spent more on his speaker cables than I paid for my entire system (and my car), probably a lot more.

On the other hand, my girlfriends system which consists of low end Magnepans with a subwoofer sounds very nice too. Sure it doesn't soundstage or have the clarity of my system, but it stills is very enjoyable to listen to. It looks cool too.

I'm sure that if I listened to Mike's system, I would be VERY impressed, but in all probability, I couldn't wait to get home to listen to my system, which sounds just the way I want it to.

The point is that there is no perfect system and all "good" systems have their strengths and faults.

Just to put things in perspective, read the reviews of some of the audio shows. Much of this equipment is the best that companies have to offer, but people who review them rarely agree with what's best.

To answer your question about would a better system spoil you... The answer is definitely YES, like Feanor said.

Myself, I quit going to audio stores, which used to be one of my favorite things to do, because I like what I have and while there will always be things about really good systems that I like better, all together I like my system more. Other people will feel the same about their systems.

BTW, congratulations on your find. I'm sure it gives you great joy.

[reynolds532]

Interesting comments. Thanks. I appreciate both the music and the equipment. In many ways I have greater appreciation for the art and engineering in a $1000 system that sounds really good than for systems trying to define the state of the art. And if all I had was a cheap boom box I would still enjoy music and listen nearly everyday.

[StevenSurprenant]

In many ways I have greater appreciation for the art and engineering in a $1000 system that sounds really good than for systems trying to define the state of the art.

That's exactly how I feel about it. Bravo!

You might want to try a little DIY, the rewards can be great for the money.