If you end up using the gear, you will not regret the bit extra you paid for
it. Just forego a couple of golf games or a couple of pedicures and that
covers the extra you paid.

Speaking of audio, there was a ham on 10 meters. When I first spoke with
him, he had a KWS-1 and it was the best audio I had ever heard. Apparently
he had some money, because I worked him with different rigs. Next, he had a
Hallicrafters HT-32A. It was also some of the best audio I heard. Not much
later, he got on 10 meters with a Central Electronics CE-100V. It too had
outstanding audio. I was impressed - this guy had selected the three best
rigs I had ever heard. I wanted one, although I could not afford any.

A while later, I was down at the local radio shop and I heard "the voice".
There he was in person and I realized instantly it was not the rigs, but the
voice that was so wonderful. I turned and saw a short, skilly and bald guy,
in a suit and tie belonged to that voice. We chatted and I asked him if he
was a radio announcer. No, he wasn't. What he told me was not impressive
for me to remember, but it was something like an accountant.

As for me, when I change from my Collins KWM-380 and Heil mike to my old TCS
12 and carbon mike, people say my voice has improved. Even got one of these
W2IHY voice equalizers and after long tests the listener likes it best when
I restrict audio as much as possible. But, it gets through the pile-ups.
And, I need not waste money on expensive mikes.

So, whether or not you get compliments on the 5100, may depend upon your
voice.

73, Colin K7FM