For those of you who had spent over hundred thousand dollars for your sound system.

Almost all of the people I know who have ultra high end systems do not at all try to impress anyone, if anything, they hide their addiction.  If anyone, aside from audio friends, knew how much I spent on the gear, that would totally confirm their suspicions that I am nuts.  

How would I explain that a 4-meter interconnect cost $18,000?  How would I explain that the midrange drivers in my system were made around 1949 and currently cost around $30,000 for a matched pair?  This is only discussed among other audio crazies.

The core of my system is almost 20 years old, with only power treatment and my music server being added in the last five years.  The speakers, linestage and amp are probably worth more now than when they were purchased because they are made with very collectible parts (the amp and linestage are essentially built with Western Electric parts, the midrange driver/horn are very rare Western Electric components).  I really don't intend to change any component out.  I might upgrade the crossover of my speaker or add better internal wiring to the speakers, but, I don't do much in the way of swapping out components.  

When one is deeply into something, acceptable prices can become crazy.  An audio buddy is currently in the process of remodeling his summer place.  He mentioned that the refrigerator he ordered will not be delivered till February 2023.  I asked him about what model can be so back ordered and he said it’s a Subzero.  When I asked about the price, he said it’s $14,000.  My reaction:  $14,000 dollars!! That’s almost as much as a good interconnect!!

There are several ways to play the wife game.  There is the "sneak": I know someone who bought the cheapest Naim linestage, and when his wife was not home, he then snuck in the top-of-the-line model which looks almost identical to their cheapest model.  There is flat out lying:  I know someone who told his wife he paid $250 for Avantgarde Duo speakers on Craigslist (he got caught when he was updating his insurance information and left the page open on his computer).  And then, there is the most expensive approach of all: the bribe--I know someone whose habit cost well more than twice the price of his gear, because he has to buy some jewelry or other expensive items in exchange for indulging his habit.