Quote:

but common, a $500 receiver with “new” technology can not compete with a $12,000 Lexicon Pre/Pro.


Can't it, though? You may not be able to easily lift the Lexicon Pre/Pro with one hand, but I'm willing to bet you'd have a hard time distinguishing between the two in a double-blind listening test. You just gave us a perfect example of how seeing a piece of equipment affects your opinion of it.