I find that an interesting post, especially about the improvement in the dollar to sound ratio. I am playing with a new iPOD, I will buy a Wadia dock, demo or used, in a few months. I am wondering of the existing DAC in the IPOD is likely to be better than the decade old outboard DAC and separate jitter reduction box I already own. It will be interesting to find out.

It also addresses my other issue, misuse of the language. If today's $500 gear outperforms $5K gear of a decade ago, was that gear ever 'moderately priced'?

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It also addresses my other issue, misuse of the language. If today's $500 gear outperforms $5K gear of a decade ago, was that gear ever 'moderately priced'?

For it's time, maybe.

What's your time worth?

If people buying ultra high end digital are getting anything, it's a head start on the performance you and I will not get for 5-10 years. It could be worth it to them.

Also, I do think there is some trickle down (voodoo conservative economic term) that leads to advances more quickly becoming available in my 40 dollar unit that may otherwaise have never occurred. Those people trying to push the envelope today are advancing the quality of my sound tomorrow.

Doesn't seem to be any trickle down in the cable industry.

What's up with that?

Digital, speakers and integrated amps have really advanced.

So what's Nordosts problem?

Is Canare 4S11 the Blue Heaven of yesteryear?

Hmmm...

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Doesn't seem to be any trickle down in the cable industry.

What's up with that?

Digital, speakers and integrated amps have really advanced.

So what's Nordosts problem?

Is Canare 4S11 the Blue Heaven of yesteryear?

Hmmm...

Well, there has to be some actual technology to trickle down.

Or, maybe we should just be thankful for the trickle down that allows them to charge so little for their product!

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It also addresses my other issue, misuse of the language. If today's $500 gear outperforms $5K gear of a decade ago, was that gear ever 'moderately priced'?

For it's time, maybe.

What's your time worth?

If people buying ultra high end digital are getting anything, it's a head start on the performance you and I will not get for 5-10 years. It could be worth it to them.

Also, I do think there is some trickle down (voodoo conservative economic term) that leads to advances more quickly becoming available in my 40 dollar unit that may otherwaise have never occurred. Those people trying to push the envelope today are advancing the quality of my sound tomorrow.

Different issue....If your 40 dollar unit outperforms the $4K unit of 10 years ago, was the use of the words 'moderately priced' really useful a decade ago? After all, the performance of the thing has reached a level now matched by something 100 times less expensive..