I'm new to this whole "audiophile" discussion, but not new to music in general. After purchasing an SVSubwoofer two months ago, I realized that the rest of my gear (Sony et al) that I had been happy with for the past 7 years was weak. Since then, I've gone outlaw, axiom, and onix.

I am a critic and skeptic about most things, especially overpriced things. But I'm also a learner and researcher, which is how I found this place, as well as the others.

I can't comment on differences I did NOT hear (i.e., cables, break in, etc) but on the differences I DID hear...

RE: The $1000 Receiver vs. the $99 - I promise you will hear a difference. I had the blind willing person nearby, and then we reversed roles.

I picked the Outlaw over Sony 100% of the time.
So did she.

Why? All-in-one-power vs. separates, better DACS, nicer remote, who knows - but the difference was obvious as can be.

I WANTED to NOT hear a difference. I wanted to SAVE my money and NOT buy this overpriced stuff (not realizing at the time what a value outlaw is).

RE: The CD player...Onix XCD88 ($299 - and like Outlaw, a great value) versus Kmart Special ($39) - Again, sorry, the difference was there. Again I picked it 100% of the time. Better D/A? Some other "jitter" BS I don't understand? Beats me...but there is no doubt one is better than the other.

(Ok, I admit "better" is subjective, so we can just agree on "different." I like my music clear, smooth, without distortion, and as the performer intended. That's "better" to me.)

I didn't pay that much expecting to HEAR it, though. I expected to get ripped off. But what I did get is something that is a MUCH better build quality, is not going to die from over use, has features I never dreamed of, and, in the case of the CD player - a motor whose spinning I cannot hear. (Before ya comment - I left BOTH run while doing the test, lest I be fooled by THAT racket...)

Anyway - between $1000 and $5000 - I doubt the difference is there - the weaknesses were tackled when you jumped to $1000. Between $99 and $1000 -there is a difference, believe it.