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.
For those of you who had spent over hundred thousand dollars for your sound system.
Do you think, in retrospect, that you could have gotten better sound quality out of your sound system with much less money spend. Do you have any regrets for spending huge amount of $$$? If you can start all over again, what would be different this time around? Let’s talk about electronics only and not room improvement for now. I know they go together, but the subject becomes very broad - assume your room is near perfect for sound reproduction.
P.S. Mike Levine, please don't shy away from the subject.
97 responses Add your response
I'm always perturbed about inquiries based on how much one spends. If I calculated what I purchased versus sold, I'm well under the floor. Most of the enjoyment out of this isn't ticket prices or bragging about how much the system costs. I believe most of us enjoy the music. To the degree that we share our pleasure it's the enjoyment of the sound and listening. You could ask the same about cars or sports cars. Now that you've spent $100K on a Porsche, do you regret what you spend and do you think you could have gotten the same enjoyment out of a BMW? The answer is no. I've been on forums where people compare numbers and say car x makes the same horsepower and torque as the Porsche GT4. Those who ask why spend the extra on a Porsche haven't experienced it. those who have just nod and get it pretty quickly. We spend what we spend because we can. I assume no one is homeless because they are schlepping a $100k system in a grocery cart living under a bridge. When I started this journey my system budget was $5k. Then I'd hear something that I liked better and I had to spend more to get it. No regrets. BTW - there is no justification for what any of us spend on audio systems. It's a luxury either big or small. but it isn't a necessity that we must have. Could I have gotten better music listening pleasure out of a cheaper system? The proof is in the spending and the answer is no. Could I have settled for less, absolutely. But what's the fun in that? |
My current system consists of: Pass Labs XA-30.8 amp JJ 243 tube preamp Pro-Ject X2 turntable with Hana SL MC cart Gold Note PS-10 and PSU-10 phono preamp Naim CD5SI Bluesound Node 2i with Topping D70S DAC Chapman T7 loudspeakers (recently rebuilt/upgraded by Stuart Chapman Jones himself - it was a special experience hanging out with him listening to music when I picked up my speakers) RAMM Audio OCC speaker cable, interconnects and power cables. Custom audio rack and isolation bases (made by me) |
@inna lol I love my sub zero as well! Speed queen washer and dryers are worth the extra as well. In many ways very similar to hifi you buy things that are ment to last a long time not to be junked after a year or two. |
If you are worth millions then $100k is reachable without any thought. . $$$$$ is in the ears of the beholder. Whatever makes you happy is what matters. There is a different world I cannot imagine. I heard 50k speakers that could not compete with my DYI speakers. No contest. I expected the other way around. Not! $$$$ do not always equal sound accuracy or overall dynamic sound quality. |
I have well over $100K in my main system and many more $$ in my surround systems. I’m not bragging. I’m 68 years old and have been into audio since I was 4 years old. To me, one of the most important components,if you want to call it that, is your room. I can’t stress this enough. You can have a fabulous system, but if the room can’t do it justice, you may as well have a boom box. It took me years to learn this and I’m still working on it, although not as much as I used to. I’ve reached the point where I enjoy listening-not trying to make it better. Good square footage, higher ceilings and absorbers and diffusers are the key. A $5K system can sound better than a $100K system, if your room is not compatible. Do research about proper room dimensions, absorption and diffusion and implement it and you’ll be way ahead of the game. |
Its a psychological effect. People will not feel good on a $300 pre amp or $2000 amplifier. Let alone a $5000 pair of speakers. If people hv the money, $100k means nothing to them. I've enjoyed my system and enjoy the hobby. I always have the conscious of the law of diminishing returns. A $100k system will sound better than a $10k system and we probably could alll agree: but will it sound 10x better? Probably not. |
Everything is relative. $100k to some folks is a significant amount of money and $100k to other folks is less than they pay in taxes, give to charity, etc. I have been into my system since I was 14 - and did I ever regret a purchase? Kinda, once I bought a NAD integrated rated at 85 watts per channel and it didn't sound good to me. It simply wasn't creating a good sound stage. I took it back to the dealer and bought the 150 watt integrated and that solved the problem. Over the years, I've upgraded my system and I've enjoyed the process. And I've enjoyed the process with friends too. I always thought that's true for others too. |
I'd happily wager I've spent less on my current 'system' than many of you have dropped on just one item, be it speakers (likely one of the pair), a pre, or even your DAC..... ...and I'm just as pleased with it as you are with yours. Just shows to go ya' that some will never be satisfied, with the car, the house, the job, the spouse, the kids, your life. Personally, on the latter, my age is overcoming my reach on too many levels. The bulk of my meds keep me alive and functioning enough to be predominately a good-natured pest with the approach of a diplomat....mostly.... Enjoy what you have where you are is my best to offer. You could say I'm crazy; but at minimum I'm not the 'K guy' subject to ridicule or deletions, And I'll thank y'all for that....👍 Your likely audio nightmare, J ;) |
I have spent nearly $300K in purchases and subsequent sales of electronics and speakers over the 40-years that I've been heavily into listening. I evolved from very inefficient to rather inefficient to efficient to soon very efficient speakers over that time and of course the respective HiFi equipment especially amplifiers that go with that evolution. As for regrets, the only ones I have over the past 40-years are in those pieces of equipment that I purchased by reviews and had not auditioned, which thankfully were not many ! Many of my purchases were new (all speakers) and most electronics so re-sale brought me ~1/2+ the original cost. Thankfully, on my evolution to more-efficient speakers, my last 3 amplifier purchases will work great with my soon final set of very-efficient speakers. Most recently, I've incrementally upgraded my exclusively digital front-end to components that have made my digital music enjoyment on equal or surpassing my past vinyl days. So unless things in the digital realm change notably for the better (I would assume they would !), I will be finished with spending for both electronics and speakers. One thing that I've seen in this thread and I completely agree with is investment in room acoustic treatments ! They can certainly make your musical experience better appreciated and tend to be the lowest-cost upgrades for improvement that an audiophile can make... Here's to your intelligent investments ! Happy Listening ! |
Oh... And for those who have to face the Wife Acceptance Factor, my problem is on two fronts ! Factor #1... Shes a spend-thrift ! So anything I buy has to be purchased with, ahem... discretion ! Factor #2... She's an interior designer ! So if it doesn't fit the decor (within reason) it's a non-starter ! When we moved to our retirement home ~2-years ago, we really had to down-size so my listening room went from a 15 X 18 room to a 10 X 12 listening space. I let her have full run of the house in decorating/colors, etc., however, in my listening space, I reserved the right to set-up/ use what I need to improve the listening. She agreed. The only reason that I am able to get my final set of speakers is that it's a retirement present that I'm giving to myself ! Good Luck to all of you out there who have similar challenges when upgrading ! |
I have no regrets about the cost of my system valued at around $150k. I worked my whole life to attain this level of system. I regret listening to dealers who talked me into buying products that are not easy to sell if I want to try something else. I have very large 300B mono amps that sound great. However, I would like to try something else. I do not believe in collecting equipment. I sell components before buying new components. In this case, my amps will be very hard to sell due to price and lack of brand recognition. In that regard, I have made some mistakes in my journey but it is still pretty damn good. My wife just keeps asking me....is this it? I smile and say probably not. I think it would be a blast to start over. I would keep my Lampi Horizon and Lucas Audio MS but get different Amps and Speakers.
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Hi @willgolf, in no way am I at all questioning your desire to try something new and different. I just assumed that your big Canary mono blocks snd Viking speakers paired produced marvelous sound quality. Best of luck, Charles
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Nothing has really changed in my perspecitve from my very first foray into high-end to now. It is very important to audition equipment/speakers before purchasing. Then, purchase what sounds good to you! I feel it is a "progressive" hobby. In my early days, I thought my Mac system with ESS AMT !’s and ESS Translinear speakers were to die for!!! Then, I heard Quad ESL’s with a Quad pre and Audio Research tube amp and Linn Sondek LP-12 . OMG...I sold my entire system to purchase the same set-up!!! And, it goes on and on and on! Even though I have pretty expensive gear today, I often think about how good my Quad ESL set-up sounded. |
My condolences! Wow, that has got to be rough… you only live once.
I have been lucky. My significant other (of 36 years), likes to heckle me about my audio addiction.. but she also recognizes that on average I worked 70+ hours a week over the last 30+ years and taken care of her (she is diabled)… so, she really lets me do what I want (as long as she gets a new component for her home theater before I get a new component, of course). |
@wfowenmd “My only regret will be realized if on the occasion of death, my wife of 40+ years sells my equipment at the prices I claimed to have paid for my system.” LOL!LOL!LOL! Time to prepare your solemn “only open after my death” letter! |
@nonoise You'r one cleaver SG. For some reason, I like your short sentence. Thank you. |
First, thanks for the many who mentioned their ROOMS as being the key component of any system. I keep saying it, but sometimes get push-back. For those who doubt it, I would ask why a city hires a specialist to design a concert hall when they could just build a cheap building with no design specs whatsoever. Maybe because they actually wanted people to COME to the concerts? Whatever. Believe what you want; doesn’t make it true. As for money spent, I know EXACTLY what I would buy if I could, and it would probably cost more than $100,000. Largest Maggies, ARC 600T’s, etc. THAT would be a system that would last me a lifetime! As for my former customers who DID buy such systems, congrats! You were capable of earning enough to indulge your hobby. People pay a million dollars+ for an old Mustang these days, 100% of which were huge piles of junk. You pays your money and takes your choice! Cheers! |
I owned a Audiostore for a number of years getting 50%+ off on many items allows systems going into the $6 digit pricing that being said I used to offer and have created system enhancers that do actually work quite well even in Highend systems such as my Duelund Audio purifiers I took the summer off, that being said. Modding your electronics ,as well as Loudspeaker Xovers makes a dramatic improvement saving 2-3x the$$ vs New and without question better performance . Whati have found and please remember on average only 25% or less actually goes into the components or average ,the rest R&D overhead and markup, the Xover parts in a loudspeaker ,are at Best average ,worlds best Duelund capacitors you will Never see in any speaker ,why ? Humblehomemade Hifi capacitor test. Speakers i mod mysel and coupling caps ,ifs it’s much more involved in electronics like Bellison regulators i hire a good tech . save $10000s and get much better performance . Look for real good used quality and then have it modded by a good Audio tech that knows their stuff. That's how Dan Modwright made his reputation. |
Two points- First- life is about the zeros. If you have enough zeros after your net worth, you can have more zeros after your audio system or other hobby. Therefore, the more interesting question is for those who have spent a higher % of net worth (for us older guys) or income (for you younger guys). Two- we have a “luxury tax” in place at our household. If I spend $10k on a preamp, then we make a $10k donation to charity above and beyond our normal giving. This makes me consider each audio (luxury) purchase more carefully and has kept my system below the $50k threshold. It also keeps me driving a Toyota and not a Ferrari, which I could probably afford. |
@charles1dad ---good comment regarding the sound of my Viking Acoustic speakers and Canary Audio Grand Reference 300B Mono amps. Aren't we all guilty of wondering if there is something better out there? Are we ever totally satisfied with our system? I really want to be but the curiosity of what if will always prevail. LOL BTW if you want to hear my system, check out YouTube under Viking Acoustic Grande Voix Speakers. |
@meiatflask well done! |
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@serjio How do you know ghdprentice hasn’t impact people through volunteering and charity? I am disappointed in your judgmental comment. |
@overthemoon you misunderstood me too categorically ... I don't know anything about him ... I don't judge ... I just drew attention to the existence of a path that will bring 100 times more joy than audio toys. |
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My system cost a fraction of the 100K, I do know at least I get to use it a hell of a lot more than my buddy who owns a several hundred thousand dollar boat, and one who makes fun of my "hobby" quite often. While I cannot judge if I actually get more enjoyment out of my system than does he with his boat-although I think that is the case, I certainly know I spend far less money on it! In the end, it isn't any kind of competition, enjoy what you have! |
+1 Yep. We all have our passions. Also, this reminds me, “It is best to have a friend with a boat”. Like having a friend with a pickup truck. Ownership is a tremendous amount of work and money… or always having friends ask you to help them move. No one has asked to borrow my system. Of asked to hear it for that matter… “it’s mine, all mine… my Precious!”. |
Yep, I do have the pickup truck, and for sure, I have done my fair share of helping with those moves! Hah! On the boat side of things, a friend with a boat is a good one. I always wanted a boat, yet it was the one thing I could never quite justify while living in corn and bean country. Maybe once I get down to Florida? |
Speaking of boats, I had competition ski boat a number of years ago. I live in Michigan, so five months usage max. At one time I figured out the cost per hour of benefit, outrageously high. Using same equation with audio system, extremely high benefit to cost ratio such that I perceive as an investment. |
This last week I listened to a pretty expensive system… no room acoustics and it sounded so bright and painful…. 70k amps… Zu Defs… ultimate DAC…it was unbearable. High frequencies bouncing all over the place created this washy painful sound. Ear fatigue city… giant screen tv in the center causing more HF reflections. It was in a living space. Total disaster of sound. Sad because those speakers are amazing. The other sad part is people send this person gear to review… depressing… this person has no business reviewing judging the listening environment. 2 weeks before that I heard a 4-5million dollar system (probobly more but that’s a rough estimate) in Malibu (legendary guy) horn loaded plasma units… custom Audio Note Monos… pure silver wires (I looked up the speaker cables and they retailed for 100,000$ lol this system blew my mind…. It was AMAZing. Not to mention the room was treated. I was getting goose bumps. I brought a few records I use for reference. My god I never heard them sound so 3d and emotional. So long story short some of the audiophile spending Uber cash on a system doesn’t mean the system will sound good… especially if they don’t consider the room. I live in a three bedroom stand-alone in East Hollywood. 56 bass traps in my mastering room. 24ft length, 11ft wide, 9ft high. 1 diffuser. Treated front room for casual listening. Like 10 GIk traps.. more loose. My set up (mastering room) sounds light years better than the more expensive system at the 1st place I mentioned. No where near the other second place mentioned… ALOT can be gained from doing measurements and acoustics. Audiophiles who don’t consider acoustics are clueless… long story short just because someone spent a ton of money on a system doesn’t mean it sounds good… but an expensive system sure has the power to melt minds… hey. If anyone is in the Los Angeles area I’d love to hear your system!! I’ve had fun this summer listening to a lot of systems.
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Good point. I remember much earlier in my pursuit of high end audio being very happy once my system was in place that I got years of pleasure at no additional cost (not including record collecting). I would go many years 5 - 10 without any investments. My system cost is about double what it has been since my retirement. But if I just consider the incremental $75K I put into my system since I retired (earlier investments well amortized) and that I listen about 1,100 hours a year… assuming I live at least another 10 years… That’s about $7 / hour. My season tickets to the symphony are about $70 / hour. Or $35 / hour if only one seat.
Of course I have custom made bicycles.. those are about $2 / hour. I ride about 5,000 miles a year. |
After some reflection, I'd have to say yes, I do have some regrets. In the 90's I had Quad ESLs ("57"). I bought them in non-working condition, and I rebuilt the panels myself. My current speakers are some giant Wilsons and they just can't compare to the Quads for midrange and treble, speed, openness, transparency and a general feeling that you are there at the live performance. I regret selling the Quads with the same sort of nostalgia that one might think about an ex-girlfriend that got away. |
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