Hey Bicycle_man you can do things even cheaper if you really want to. One of my friends built his own turntable from scratch. Magnetically suspended and mu-metal shielded with a marble plinth. The bronze alloy CNC machined platter weighs in at 28Kg and features teflon sleeved bearing housings. Admittedly we have lathes and a few friends who are engineers. The total cost to build was about $1700 by scrounging and networking. Uses various motors poached from other decks. His set of tonearms were a barter for some gardening work for an old lady whose audio nut husband had died and she had no use for being deaf as a post. These included a JH Audiolab formula 4, Some Kazumi look alike that is very well made and the original Mission 774. He is currently looking at upgrading by building his own phono stage for about $500 in parts. Cartridge is an Ortofon something Bronze MC. This remains one of the best turntables I have ever heard after 30 years in audio. Problem is some of us don't have the time to do what my friend did. In answer to your question I doubt anyone could discern a useful demographic from the question as it will by its very nature attract a particular mindset and that negates the randomness. I enjoy as a side hobby putting together systems for friends who let's say are financially challenged. System 1 Tannoy HPD 12 inch in marine ply cabinets and a Yamaha 100 w/ch/rms receiver Swapped the Tannoy's that I picked up for $400 for 2 years supply of freshly caught fish [He is an amazing fisherman] and the receiver cost him 100 bucks. System 2 $40 garage sale no name OK DIY speakers, Pioneer quadrophonic receiver [given to me free and passed on for the same] and an amazingly good NEC cd player, $10 at the local junk shop. The old RCA speaker outputs required custom cables that cost $10 more to make than the whole system. My point is I do not think you can objectively judge other peoples motives by your own bias. I found the post an interesting insight. I am a part time musician and I invested what I did because I love music not some base motive to bloat my ego about how much I spent which considering the performance is still inexpensive. The rest of what you had to say I totally agree with including the film vs digital camera analogy. I hope this won't be seen as off topic but I see a need to question the questioning of the question. God that sounds ridiculous! Cheers with tongue firmly planted in cheek. |
About $66 000 Aussie dollars retail paid around $38 000 in it's current state for 2 channel front of house not including AV or computer sound systems but including current room treatment band- aids. This thread made me add it all up for the first time so I am feeling a little dizzy and seriously questioning my mental health at the moment. But I don't think about upgrading anymore even though I have $20 000 worth of parts stored away to build the 250 watt rms/ch active valve amps and crossovers. These have not been included in the final retail costing otherwise I would be spending far more on medication and down time with a good therapist. Sounds awesome right now to me though. |
Bad question. If you do it right, you can build a very good sounding system on the cheap.
I wonder how many of the big spenders listen to records as their primary source. Analogue still rules in both audio and photography. (On the photo side, I'll put my 6x6 Hasselblad with Zeiss optics up against anything photo-digital. And, yes, I have rented and tested the digital back for the Hasselblad. One word in response -- film.) On audio, I am not talking cheap phono; spend a little on the phono source, like $4k for turntable, tonearm, and cartridge. That's a very good start. You could spend half that and have a very decent start. And, you'll get a source that surpasses most digital easily. Spend enough on analogue and digital will never touch it. Analogous word in response -- vinyl.
Here's a question in response to your question -- why this question? Are you a marketing guy looking for demographic stats? |
10K canadian dollars for a system and cables worth 27 K US mrsp. Great sound, classic components, pure enjoyment and envious visitors. All bought used but good for many many years with proper care.
Add 2K$ for full collection of NOS tubes and extra cables. |
40,000.00 in equipment Thank God for Agon |
$11,640.00 - too much money, but just right sound - Dave |
I'm at about 8k and still going |
I use a front projector crt which originally cost $25,000 in the 1990s and early 2000s, but now can be had for $5000 new. Which number should I use. Accountants can chime in please. |
4 systems here.
They range from $4-40k if build with used components.
Also at least $100K spent on CD's and records.
John C. |
Looking back, I have pretty much replaced EVERYTHING since my last post to this thread 3 1/2 years ago, when I thought I had already spent WAY too much money. I have since sold most of the old gear (thank you Audiogon). Fortunately during this time period my business did OK and my purchases were mostly out of cash-flow and at good prices thanks to Audiogon and relationships with various manufacturers. I was also able to pick up some good gear by being in the right place at the right time(I NEVER underestimate the value of TIMING!). My system has come a LONG way in the past 3 1/2 years.
With the arrival of a new DAC from Bulgaria sometime in the near future, my system will finally be pretty much set for a while. IS it worth what I paid(30-70% retail)? Absolutely - I have heard more expensive and less expensive systems that sounded very good, but to my ears, mine sounds better and makes me the happiest. That feeling, repeated every time I listen to my system, regardless of the musical genre, to me is PRICELESS. I now enjoy my gear every chance I get - lots more often than 3 1/2 years ago. As my system got better, I found myself listening to it a whole lot more often. (I doubt that I am alone in this...)
There will ALWAYS be something bigger, better, faster or shiney-er. It doesn't matter what you spend or don't spend - what matters is that what you have makes you happy. Life is too short to view this hobby any other way, IMO. |
$8,020, thank god my girlfriend doesn't read this site. Of course with this site i've only spent about half of that. |
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My husband says he paid too much. |
$23,000.00 CND; Audio Note. |
Ahhh, that was what it cost. |
That's a buck two-eighty-five and some change.... |
A buck three eighty. Or was it tree fitty? |
I heard an interesting talk on TED today about the price of happiness. My intention is not to negatively remark on anyone's choices but the title of this forum and the escalating costs of everything we "want" connected with the talk. If anyone would like to hear it the address is:
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/benjamin_wallace_on_the_price_of_happiness.html |
$42,460 mostly purchased through Audiogon!!! Next addition Vandy 5A's or....? |
30,000 invested sounds like 100,000....I like that. |
I bought it all used (except the table and cartridge) and paid under $4K.
B&W 801 Matrix 2
Forte Model 2
Rotel RB-1080
ARC CD-2
Technics SL-1200 II
Audio Technica ATOC9MLII
Orsonic AV-II
Chang Lightspeed 3200
XLO 150
Speltz anti-cables |
$35-$40K Retail
$11k - Speakers - front/center/surrounds/sub
$4.5k - CD/DVD Player
$7k - PreAmp
$4k - Amp for mains
$4.5k - Amp for surrounds/center
$1k - Tuner
$7.5k - PCs, IC,s, Power Conditioners, Power strips, Speaker cables, Jumpers, all the stuff behind the scenes
Somebody stop me, please :-) |
About 2,000. Give or take. |
Now I'm just a bit over $22,000 US, but I don't have a source right now, so I'll have to add that soon. Will probably be about $25k soon. |
currently 2 channnel only retail is around 60000 usd ,
but since its not in USA, it should retail over 85000 usd locally in thailand.
there is a lot of upgrades needed still and i can see it reaching 100000 usd inside a year easy. |
I stopped keeping track after 10k ..if you talk to my wife it's worth a few grand at the most ..lol |
Askat1988,
You know about the ill effects of loud headphone listening have on the hearing?
Let's all be careful so we can enjoy this glorious hobby 'til end days...
My system adds upto the grand total of > $500.
The reason I don't upgrade is the $30,000 system at the hifi shop I goto is not much better.
Mine does 90% of that at least !
If buy used and are patient and do research, you can get good sounds for peanuts - if we get to know the good mid-fi offerings, we can give them to our kids, and our parents (and loved ones) - let them in on this exciting hobby. |
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Mine adds up to about $45k. I have been involved in this hobby about 28 years- a little longer if I count the used 32w/ch Kenwood receiver I bought Sophmore year in college. I wish I had the money to put together a really good system. I wish I had invested my money in a 401k so I could retire someday. But then all my stock investments these days have appreciated less than my stereo system.
Truthfully, my sound system sounds better than ever, but in the old days there was a certain sweetness to pulling out the soldering iron with my buddies and making our own mods and upgrades with WonderCaps, wiring and connectors. |
Around $25K not including the DVD transport. Sadly, that price is essentially a single disc CD player. Maybe it's getting time to rethink this hobby... |
Most of my gear is Audio Note. Retail price is $63,000.00
My wife knows how much I spent on this system. She tells me often. She is off by $3,000.00 so she rounds it off in my favor at $60,000.00. Nice wife hay? |
A bit over $ 14,000. It feels like so much more though! |
$36,370 - although I didn't pay that, most of my components were bought used, my system makes me very happy, but alas I know there's better out there... |
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Albert, I've got diamond hearing aids for your wife in the shape of Rolls Royce head lights. Forget the sofa and do your self a favor! It'll come back to you buddy. |
You didn't tell her did you?
Wait......I hear her coming. I need a blanket for the sofa while I can still get in the bedroom... |
Albert-we already spoke to your wife..the jig is up guy! |
Thank you Chadnliz, you are nice to offer that profit when I have so little invested :^). |
I offer $1800 for your system Albert....thats PURE profit and I will be waiting for your reply! :) |
Good idea Irishwolf, but I'm not in trouble. I only paid $1724.00 for my entire system........just ask my wife. |
About $15,000.00 retail Gentlemen, When your wives do find out about your little habit you will need to call me immediately to help save your marriage! I own a jewelry store and can help get you out of trouble in no time! Albert, we should start with you! |
I have speakers that retailed for GBP3,000, CD DVD player US$5,500, CD player $2000, pre power amp $1300.00, plus cables worth over $2000. The funny thing is that the speakers cost me $350, cd/dvd $175 and cd player $400.00, and the Jungson pre power combination outperforms items 3 or 4 times as dear. Lesson learned watch the ebay sites for bargains and go for what sounds the best. The only drawback is that your system would not be as new and items are not picked on only their merit within the system, but on bargains to be had. Saying that I listened to some modern expensive speakers that don't come up to mine, and I would have to fork out an extra $5000 to take a step back. The way they made stuff in the early eighties would take a lot of money to equal now, so you are gaining sonically by getting some good old gear |
1K,2K,5K $7,750 or $100,000 makes no difference,
as long as it makes you happy.
It is not a rat race, just a bunch of people with one goal -
music enjoyment..........
I hope....
M.S |
$7,750. Man am I a piker compared to you guys. |
$10,000 since I began this spiral descent...2 months ago. I needed a new cd rack...that turned into a sony 400 disc changer (now I have no need for a rack, I thought, which was true)...and the changer needed a better amp ( a rotel integrated, which had to be changed to a poweramp with pre in one week because, see, the dealer has this 60 day 100% purchase value upgrade toward any component of greater value...what a nice guy he is, this dealer)...and then the amp told me it wanted to power a pair of B&W 805's ( but only if they were on B&W stands, you know, the cool looking ones made SPECIFICALLY for the 805's, you know, the overpriced ones )...and blahblahblah.
I feel as if I'm in the suck of a black hole. How come everything I buy makes everything sound better and -simulataneously - worse? Why don't I just blow the big one and get to the last page? Why waste the time reading all the filler? I know how this is going to end. (But man, have you heard Zeppelin on 200 gram vinyl? I mean: really, is it worth every penny or is it worth every penny?) |
hmmmm... retail? Who pays retail? That's sacreligious, isn't it?
In any event, had retail been paid entirely, it works out to about $21K per channel... roughly. I get better mileage with the HT system as it borrows two speakers and the sub from the 2 ch system... wouldn't be fair to count 'em twice, huh? So around $1K+ per ch. X 4.1, including a 120 in. DIY screen for about $200-$300.
That's weird... I just spent $5K for a sub, 2 speakers, a power cord, a Wally world rack, DVD player and a new receiver. Still need to build the xcreen and add speaker wires & stands for the rears! Sheeesh. I'm certifiable. Just need the card.
I guess their right... the dollar doesn't go as far as it used to!
Perhaps I should have done home entertainement the Jenny Craig way.
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I cant answer the question.My wife peruses the forum's |
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Time to update my system retail. Now it totals close to $300000. My house cost $321000 new when I bought in 1990!
But don't tell to my wife ;-)
May be I sould sell some gear. |
Lebenty leben dollars, just like Br'er Rabbit. Actually I am in total denial of the cost... don't know, don't wanna know, and thank god I can write off a bit for research in my industry...The people in my head made me do it.... |
