How much does your system retail for?

$44K, almost all of it modded way beyond original quality and value. I like to think it's comparable to two to four times that much, especially given the cherry-picked-for-value nature of each component, to start with.

Do I detect sarcasm, Biomimetic? I have collected and tweeked my gear over many years at used prices on a shoestring budget. I am passionate about music, quality, and value (I have to be since my professional life has been a labor of love that I aspire to make pay). IMO, this doesn't make me any more deserving of a great system than anyopne else who simply wants one but it might show up your attitude a bit. I have no problem (except perhaps a bit of jealousy) with someone's pride in the expensive gear they own. Quality is an expression of caring.

I am a professional musician, instrument builder, recording engineer and producer and audio modder. I aspire to as high a level in all those things as I can concieve of. That's the choice I make. You're welcome to whatever balance of priorities you choose.

Oh, and the answer is yes and no. I did take out a wall to join two rooms for my listening room/recording studio, I outfitted it with homebrewed Roomtunes and I put in a dedicated line.

live and let buy, eh? peace.

got it, Biometric, although I missed your implication without your explanation.

Rs422,

I in turn "agree and disagree" with your assessment. Obviously, there is some truth to what you say if not only potentially, but, IF you spend wisely, and the components you choose are well designed for sound quality rather than bling, then there is no end to the money that can be poured into the "science" of it and have it pay off in sonic dividends. A basic example of this is that there is literally no point at which a bigger better power supply (more and better quality caps and more attention to lowering noise) will not sound better. This gets pricey fast. Even VERY expensive gear usually doesn't use the very best components available at any price, and they usually DO make a difference. Of course, this doesn't mean that a designer can't come up with a more elegant (more efficient) answer to the challenges of say speaker cabinets. This is what makes pursuing great sound such an interesting sport, where there is room for both the modest and exhorbitant. Check out my system for some very cost effective answers. Although not cheap, there are much more expensive components out there that don't sound as good, especially after they've been tweaked, as both you and I have done. Cheers!