2. misc-audio
  3. 168358-1635

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. 
chayro

Showing 1 response by hshifi

hshifi
572 posts
 
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. 
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