You might be surprised at just how far you can go.
If you have been scrolling through the SONE series wondering where to start, or if you are looking for an example of the industry at its current peak, SONE166 is the title to watch. It proves that sometimes, the "better" option is simply the one that pays attention to the details.
The IMD (Intermodulation Distortion) figure is crucial. The fact that the Sone166 is nearly -10dB cleaner than the ESS flagship at high frequencies means complex orchestral passages don't turn into mush. That is undeniable proof that .
This is why audio engineers are saying isn't a preference—it's a measurable fact.