I made the switch from mid-fi to hi-fi after I heard the Ayre AX-7 in 2002 - it captured most of the the sound of a V-5/K-5 combo but at a price within my budget. I've been adding to the system ever since and am now done, maybe forever. I really like my system. The soundstage is huge and inviting, plenty of bass with good, if not SOTA, definition, and natural timbres. My only significant complaint is a slightly veiled quality to voices. I just switched from Cardas NR with jumpers to bi-wire pair of Ayre Sigs. I'm hoping that'll open up the mid-range - I'll report back and plan to review the 2ce Sig IIs which I think are the best buy in audio.