Less Expensive Gear That Replaced Pricier Kit

I think he's so far gone, that he probably couldn't tell a TV from a turntable anyway, so it hardly matters.

Sad. At one time he had a great system.
Oh, I’ve had the privilege of owning many exquisite systems throughout my lifetime and hope to own many more, but for now this one just sounds right...... 🎶
 
Have had many of these situations but the most recent would have to be the Kenwood KD 990 being outdone in this house by the Pioneer PL 570. Great thing was that I had both here at the same time so could go back and forth to make my decision! Had very high expectations re the Kenny from things I read, however, just not my cup of tea!!
Same cart/pre/system for each TT when you tested them (apples to apples).
 
Same cart/pre/system for each TT when you tested them (apples to apples).
Not the right question. Its more like having the right cartridge and preamp to maximize each one performance. Put something like a Shure on the Kenwood, and it will likely sound crappy. Put a good quality medium mass MC, and it comes alive.
 
Same cart/pre/system for each TT when you tested them (apples to apples).
Yup, both tables set up with terrible cartridge choices for each table but both the same... not really a big deal, hell it’s the reason that there’s sooooooo many choices of gear for us to pick from!!! I mean, do we really want all gear to sound or be the same? Hell no!! I have respect for a plethora of different systems, I may not want to own them but I can still respect them!!
 
Yup, both tables set up with terrible cartridge choices for each table but both the same... not really a big deal, hell it’s the reason that there’s sooooooo many choices of gear for us to pick from!!! I mean, do we really want all gear to sound or be the same? Hell no!! I have respect for a plethora of different systems, I may not want to own them but I can still respect them!!
Which cartridges?
 
Hey, bring it with you when you come. I'll set up my phono preamp to work perfectly with it. If the Kenwood doesn't decimate it, I'll pay your gas for the drive down (in the beast) and buy the lobster.
Mmmmmmm, how I miss East coast lobster!!!!! As a side note, mama and I were looking at properties on Second Eel lake, beautiful!!!!!
 
Took us 18 last time we did it, really hoping restrictions are lifted cuz if they are you better bet ur ass we’ll be comin for a visit!!! Miss the east coast sooooo much, hell I even miss you ya grumpy ole coot!!!
 
The only time I remember having this happen was when I directly A/B'ed my PSE studio V amps vs my Classe' CA2200. I could NOT tell the difference between the two. This is honestly high praise for both. The CA2200 was worth about triple or quadruple (used) so the answer was obvious as to what I would keep. It also made a lot more power but I really didn't need it.

I have had situations though, where any minor improvement was far outweighed by cost so I just decided the other piece of gear was a better "value". Yes I understand this is a subjective term!
 
some years ago i picked up one of the correct early sony "playstation one," after reading that they make good cd players. disconnected my then satisfactory seeming jolida cd player, connected the sony, liked what i heard. reconnected the jolida and it was harsh and glaring in comparison. after about 15 seconds, disconnected the jolida forever and went with the sony for a a few years (til i got tired of the top loading and the goofy control handset). it was the most dramatic A/B comparison that i have done. form factor aside, the playstation ones are amazing cd players for few $.
 
One problem with discussions like this is, "Compared to what?".

Is it just two items of the same vintage? And old one vs a new one? All electronics have gotten better or cheaper. Do we make the comparison between legitimate manufacturers, who do real engineering, or include those who steal design and engineering from others. Do we include companies that offer real warranties and service, or include those who just sell through eBay, and you take your own chances if it fails or burns your house down. For that matter, do we include kits in this comparison too? Hard to compare apples to apples.

"Is it just two items of the same vintage? " Great point. Take my Yamaha receiver for example. I paid $488 for it in 1987 ($1,119.20 in today's money) . Should I use the adjusted for inflation price? In that case I'm pretty sure I could get something cheaper than $1100 that sounds better.
Some would argue that Class A/B amplifier technology has been mature for a long time, and not much improvement has been gained in some time. But even if that was entirely true (which I doubt), advances in manufacturing and engineering design of components has made what was once expensive, a lot more affordable. So even if I compared my receiver with another new one that was less than the $488 I spent, I bet I would still find many new receivers around the $500 price range to sound better.
 
"Some would argue that Class A/B amplifier technology has been mature for a long time, and not much improvement has been gained in some time. But even if that was entirely true (which I doubt), advances in manufacturing and engineering design of components has made what was once expensive, a lot more affordable."
while technology has certainly advanced, so has cost-cutting, cheap manufacturing, and a general disregard for great sound (vs price points, looks, convenience, etc etc). i dont think that its safe to assume that a piece of gear made today and adjusted for inflation will better a vintage piece of comparable price. it may. or it may not. cant really generalize. imho, of course.
 
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