Alex Butcher wrote:

I can see the thinking regarding computers - two components that can
be bought for a reasonable price/performance trade-off are CPU and
hard disk. But what parts of an audio system quickly become
obsolete, such that the same thinking can be applied?

Digital components such as CD/DVD players for a start, it would seem.

Obsolete?


An example of the sort of systems I'm proposing would be:

~130GBP CD player
~100GBP DVD player
~150GBP HT receiver

Why both CD and DVD players?


~ 50GBP DVD player
~320GBP HT receiver
10GBP digital cable

Same overall price, but I would expect that the DAC in that ~320GBP
receiver is better than either of the DACS in the ~100GBP-range CD/DVD
players, and further, that the amplifier in the ~320GBP device is
better than the ~150GBP device.

I'm tempted to agree. What would be the upgrade candidate in the latter
system?


I wonder whether anyone could tell
which was the cheaper CD/DVD transport...

If they're all going through the DAC in the dearer HT amp, I think it would
be hard to tell.


--
Wally
www.art-gallery.myby.co.uk
On webcam: Black Cat In Coal Cellar