Who ever said that?
If you can't hear the difference between a bottom-of-the-line CD player and one of the more expensive ones you need to get your hearing checked.
Amen.
I think it's also safe to say that an ARC preamp, or other similarily well designed pre amplifiers, can voice a system quite "differently" than a lesser unit. In fact, IMO a pre amp of this stature is quite often the secret door, which once discovered and walked through, most hobbyists will slam it shut and padlock it several times, never to return.
Bad analogy? Maybe, but it's early and I haven't had my coffee yet. My point is simply that a well made preamp makes differences that are flat out audible and evident.
I just got back my EICO HF-85. I had it fully restored, and the low gain modded to the Lipschitz RIAA curve, one of the most accurate available. In the meantime, I had my Bozak 919 in it's place. The 919 is solid state, and an absolute marvel, it's internal design is still relevant, all of these years later.
So...let me say firstly that the 919 absolutely squashed my old Kenwood Basic C1 in any area you may want to compare. From that point, I would say that between the Bozak and the EICO there is a HUGE sonic difference. Neither is particularily better, just a simple matter of taste.
I do however agree with room treatment being of the utmost importance. I don't need A/B testing...instead to each their own. We all hear what we hear, for whatever reasons. :yes: