How competitive are you with your system?

Well, I do not see myself in competition with others but, rather, trying to achieve the best sound quality at the cost level I can afford.  Some can spend more than me, some can spend less, but I think the joy or satisfaction comes from being able to assemble a realistic sounding system at whatever price level one can afford.  I am sure others with more money can do better, but I believe I am doing well at the level I can afford.  Thus, the competition, if any, is against the absolute standard of perfection, however one describes that … but with the realization that we probably will NOT achieve true perfection.  We can achieve, however, a level of realism that is very satisfying. As part of that we need to recognize that we have differing tastes, differing hearing, and that “different” sounds are not necessarily “better” or “worse.”  Sometimes they are just “different,” and we can—and often do—perceive them differently.

Even better, the system is pure musical and spouse approves it. Alex/Wavetouch audio

mike4597   ~~~  I think the joy or satisfaction comes from being able to assemble a realistic sounding system 

I don’t, not at all.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that my audio equipment isn’t in the same league with most of the other people here.  As others have stated, my entire system costs less than what some people pay for one cable.  Compared to other people I know, my system is clearly the best by a large margin, but none of them aspire to audiophile equipment and think that what I have paid for mine (around $9,000) is crazy.  Then again, some of them spend $100,000 on a vehicle, which I think is nuts.  We each have our priorities.  

As others have stated, my entire system costs less than what some people pay for one cable.

As does mine, in its current state at least. 

It’s easy enough to throw money at a system, and if one has the good sense to hire a consultant the result might even sound quite good.

But it’s not the same as putting in the time and effort to learn and research and source components and learn how to fix them as the case may be.

Which makes you wonder, who’s the real audiophile here?

The ability to compare one system to another is not a level playing field. If for no other reason, in this hobby, the room matters more than anything else,and no two rooms are alike.