I usually set my budget based on what I have available to spend at the time. Once the research and shopping begins, sometimes it's prudent to save a while longer and increase my budget if warranted. Sometimes I find I can spend less than budget and be satisfied....each circumstance is different.
And My Budget Is...
Almost always, when someone asks for a component recommendation, they always finish with "and my budget is $X". And I'm wondering how they arrived at that figure. Now I'm not encouraging frivolous spending by any means and I would never make a purchase that is not financially responsible, so stop right there. But maybe setting an arbitrary budget is not the way to do it. Back in 2004 when I re-entered high-end audio after a hiatus from the 80's, I went to audition a Naim CD player at a dealer in NYC. At that time "and my budget is" was $1500, which to me was a lot of money for a CD player. So I listened to the $1500 player and it was good, but nothing to get excited about. When I expressed this to the dealer, he smiled and installed the $3000 model. Well, I could not believe the difference. I had never heard a CD sound that way. The realism of the whole experience just transported me to another level and I purchased it on the spot. Yes, I did think it was expensive, but I shifted my priorities around after listening and said that the extra money was worth it to me and that I would restructure my budget in other areas to make up the difference. So what I am saying is - rather than just setting a budget of X, maybe the better way is to listen to something you really love, that is not ridiculously out of your price range and then decide whether the difference is worth it to you. I would think that most everyone here spends more on audio than the average person would believe possible and many could stretch from that $1000 dac they say they want to that $5000 dac they love if they really wanted to. When my wife passed almost 7 years ago, I thought my life was over, but as I pulled myself out of the pit and built my life back up, I started living by this principle: Treat yourself responsibly well. Responsibly well. And I think you should too. Be healthy.
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I agree with getting what you like off the bat instead of incremental increases in price and quality. If the op had purchased that $1500 CD player, then sold it for 1000 to buy a 2200 cd player, then sold that for 1800 or who knows 1000 dollars, then ultimately purchased the 3000 player, he would have spent a lot more money than just doing it in the beginning. Of course, if you don't have the money, then all bets are off, but if you just have to rebudget a couple if things, imo it's worth it. It's also a hassle for lazy people like me to sell stuff. You still need a budget, then go up or down from there. OP was shown a 3000 player but not a 20,000 player. Let's not waste everyone's time and start somewhere in the ballpark. |
@chayro Your advice makes a lot of sense because of the way you set up the solution you provide. In your example, there are two options, (a) being open to spend more if the quality is there or, (b) "But maybe setting an arbitrary budget is not the way to do it." There could be other ways people set their budget -- e.g. with some information and reasonable reflection. In your CD example, you went in with a $1500 expectation and left the store spending double. On the face of it, that seems ill advised, especially for someone who might also want to buy other components. It will, however, make dealers smile. |
Honestly can't say that I ever set a budget and then went looking. From the time I was a little kid with a paper route I would save my money all the while looking around at all the ways the other kids were spending theirs. Which seeing what they got encouraged me to keep saving and looking. This was way before the internet and so my "looking" involved hours and hours hands on touching twisting knobs moving speakers around listening and asking questions. By the time I was satisfied I knew enough to make a purchase there was way more money set aside for it than needed. Back then, 1974, it was something like $168 at Radio Shack. In all that time nothing really has ever changed. When my listening room remodel was done nearly 30 years ago I "thought" it would be for a home theater. Because of my incessant research however it wound up being stereo with video, an infinitely better solution than home theater. All because of my budget that is not a budget but is more a question, "What is the best use of my limited resources?" |
The most captivating speakers I ever heard were Linaeum Model 10 with the one dipole Linaeum tweeter on top. Radio Shack had a cheaper version of this tweeter. The Model 10 had its flaws but captivating 3D imaging was not among them. I have mentioned Linaeum half a dozen times now. Finally someone knows what I'm talking about. Even if only the Radio Shack version. Thanks! |
Chayro- Great post. My wife has terminal cancer and I have cried bucketfuls of tears - I am not sure how i can face her death without coming apart. In any event, since I find solace in music, I have been responsible, but I have not punished myself through denial of things that I enjoy, because otherwise the bleakness creeps in...Thank you for sharing! |
I will be the contrarian here. I like it when people state their budget in posts. How many threads have you read where people ask for help, let’s say for a turntable. In response someone types paragraphs recommending something like Air Force One, at $50 K or whatever, only to have the OP say their budget is $200? I try to tailor my recommendations to the budget stated, but I will frequently recommend something above that budget and say “if you can stretch it, X is really worth the extra cost”. The OP has had quite a loss in his life, and earns my sympathy, and if I had experienced a similar loss, and had only myself to be accountable to, I perhaps would be a bit more free spending. As it is, I frequently go over my initial budget on just about everything I buy, and my wife rarely, if ever, utters a peep, but we are both looking at retirement and analyzing our finances and trying to decide where we want to retire. I would love to trade my excellent DAC for a dcs Stack, and could if I wanted to, but really? If I was a Widower perhaps I would, but no amount of money blown would ever make me get over that loss |
Responsibly well. Excellent phrase, seems like something Marcus Aurelius would think or maybe Seneca or one of the other Stoics. I too don't set budgets, by that I mean I have a reasonable idea of where in the scheme of everything a purchase should fit. Also there is the factor of my own comfort level with possessing ridiculously expensive "things". My impulse is to donate a nice chunk of change to a food bank, makes me ill to think people go hungry in this country and I can eat whatever I want. Regards, barts |
Chayro, I like your style! Last time I went shopping for speakers I set my budget at $2,000. Nothing I listened to made me think it was any better or that much better than my old 20 year old Paradigm Monitor 9 (the originals). So, I started listening to things in the $2,500 range. Still no "WOW" factor or not a big enough one to move me. When all was heard & done, I ended up spending $3,500 to get the "WOW" factor and, mind you, it wasn't that big of a "WOW" over those old Paradigm but enough of one to put a smile on my face and feel it was worth it. Paradigm make some good stuff! I don't know how typical this is for most audiophiles but I invariably end up spending more than I think I will when shopping for stereo toys. My approach is similar to yours, I think. I venture out with an idea in mind, listen to things in an identified price range and, then, always ask the stereo man (it's usually a man - they'd probably move more product if they hired women) to play something demonstrably better at a higher price point. After some jockeying around, my heart, wallet and relative good reason finally decide what I walk away with. Of course, my comptroller (i.e. "She Who Must Be Obeyed") has a lot to do with this, as well. Actually, this is kind of my approach to spending a bunch of money on pretty much anything. |
Chayro, thank you for your post. It smacks of...wisdom! And MC, did you ever get to hear the "full range Linaeum"? I did at the Stereophile show at the Waldorf in NYC in '97...they were the wierdest looking but one of the most sonically transparent speakers ever. This was shortly before they sold their rights to RS, by the way, I think. The inventor was there demonstrating them. |
Hello, I hate having buyers remorse. I am always doing a lot of research on things. Sometimes even years which can be interesting when the models change. Over 20 years ago I bought my second set of audiophile speakers. The Soliloquy 5.3 in curly maple. I loved them even playing on my Sony receiver. The reason I felt comfortable spending a few thousand on a set is the store I bought them from let me try before I bought them. I did not do this with the first pair. I too had a budget of $1500 when I went in. If you notice I said second. My first was the Tannoy ?? (basic towers). I was unhappy with them due to lack of bass. This store not only has a try before you buy but also a trade up program with full credit for your previous purchase. So I was able to participate in the trade up program as long as it was within one year and the upgrade met price requirements. BTW, I still am rocking the Soliloquy speakers. Just the bigger 6.3i’s that play down to 25hz. No buyers remorse. If you are in the Chicagoland area and want no buyers remorse. This store is for you. https://holmaudio.com/ As people have said you can have a budget but listen out of your budget. This way you get what you want. |
I believe our O.P. made some
very excellent points. Being open-minded is helpful and looking outside the
budge range sure gives you additional perspective on what is out there, and
where diminishing returns may set in for your ears. But if the poster is soliciting opinions on gear, knowing a ‘range’ is helpful, as others have stated. That is, if you want the best input that makes sense based on what you can spend. Like others I would guess, I
always try to have an idea on budget and then most always find a reason to go
higher (thank heavens my wife is great about it). The O.P.’s discovery at what
was gained musically from the better player, could not have occurred without open-mindedness;
despite the sales force. And hey, sometimes the dedicated guys are actually
trying to help you musically as well! I have met them. :-) And as for breaking the
budget, fortunately I have never regretted a purchase where I spent more and
bought something better (at least to my ears). That's mostly because I take a long time choosing what I will enjoy most. No impromptu buys. |
@chayro first so sorry for your deep loss. Music is solace, remembrance, celebration - whatever we need it to be.. I always try to research and listen ( test drive, experience, trial ) at the 2x point … and the .5 point. I always ask where do we go North of here ? Great thread and introspection… going thru this process just now for a cartridge… and more music, more music… lastly my gratitude for your contribution to this board |
rather than just setting a budget of X, maybe the better way is to listen to something you really love, that is not ridiculously out of your price range and then decide whether the difference is worth it to you. That is pretty much what I do. Exactly what I did, back in the day. Only difference now being I read in lieu of listening. Let others do my listening for me! Works for me. |
