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Askat1988, regarding: Rack $5K That's not unusual, there are women here in Dallas with that much invested in their rack. |
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Headphones Only
Source $22K
Headphone Amp $14K
Atomic Clock $8K
Headphones(5 pair) $8.5K
Cables $12K
Power Conditioning $12K
Rack $5K
Total $81.5 retail. $48.5 invested
Crazy, huh |
It's not about the money, but money can buy you better sound. Three years ago I needed to be the mood to listen. I've replaced every piece of gear since then. Now I listen every moment I can spare. Retail is up to 63K and have invested 39K. Audiogon is a beautiful thing. |
It ain't about the $'s "When you turn it on, does it return the favor?" I buy almost everything used, it is the only way I found to be happy and stay on budget. I spent about $2.5K on equipment that probably sold for $6-7K when new. It's the program material is where I get in trouble; when you hit 5,000 titles, you know you have a problem. |
Actually I've heard that expression, that's why I was teasing you. |
No, Albertporter. An old friend of mine was in the habit of using "A buck two eighty-five and some change", which, would be more precise. |
I thought you were going to say A Buck Two Eighty |
More than $23K. Paid around $10K. Wife says I'm done. I think I need a new Origin Live DC Motor Kit upgrade for my turntable...... |
So far very close to $20K and still not complete yet. Missing here and there. |
Less than it used to. But, given the room, media and current equipment, more than I'll discuss. |
Wow Cajun, that is horrible you were wiped out in Katrina. A year ago a small plane hit my building and though we had some water damage and had to move out for a month, luckily my gear and LP's were spared. (and I had just gotten new speakers I waited a year to be delivered) I had to keep reminding my freaked out girlfriend that we were incredibly lucky and the people in Katrina were the ones who had truly suffered.
I'm glad you have a new system up and running, that probably is better than your previous one. I'm sure many of your neighbors will never get back to that level of functionality in their lives, which is sad. |
The day before KATRINA...$38,000 in gear, $20,000 in media.
The day after KATRINA...$0.00 in gear, $0.00 in media.
2 years later...$45,000 in gear, @ $10,000 in media.
Wow, Cajunpepe, that's awful. Were you able to collect on an insurance claim for any of your equipment or media? Hope your new system is making you happy. |
Stereo-about $30,000
Room- treatments & remodel plus AC lines, ac conditioners and voltage stabilizer = $10,000
Video- front proj. screen - plasma - scaler = $9,000
Cables-tweaks and DIY furniture - stands - platforms = $4,000
Total- $53,000
Music- priceless. |
Biomimetic,
I could not agree more. My total "retail price" has climbed quite a bit, especially in 2007-adjusted dollar terms, but the vintage stuff is A LOT cheaper than the new stuff and bang for buck is unbeatable. And hell, it sounds pretty good on its own anyway... :^) |
The day before KATRINA...$38,000 in gear, $20,000 in media.
The day after KATRINA...$0.00 in gear, $0.00 in media.
2 years later...$45,000 in gear, @ $10,000 in media. |
I've actually come to the conclusion it's more how much can you get for your money, rather than how much did you spend. Most people don't have the space for a $60,000. but will cram it into a really bad room anyway. And guess what? It doesn't sound like it did at CES in that room the seller spent three days prior to the show treating. It kind of levels the playing field. There's still alot of difference -a transformer with a rhodium or silver coating in the winding is going to sound a lot better, or a handmade paper air core. Things that are exotic are expensive. But in real world conditions how noticeable is it really? And are you a crazy headphone guy who's going to sit there and listen for it? A $1000. pair of headphones will always beat the best speakers in the best room - there's less air to move around, there's the purity of the electrostats, and the acoustic problem is essentially nil. This is why audio engineers still use them. I also have found a lot of older gear has better transformers and internal architecture for phono's and tuners. So use them. Kudos on that Luxman. So you upgrade to an EAR at some point if you really like it, or you move on having had nearly the same experience. Buy a $100-200 worth of room treatments or packing materials that work as room treatments for $50. A good silver/copper cable between an integrated and your primary piece of gear can help a lot as well for $150. And put $24. worth of rubberized plastic Vibrapods under stuff, or a couple of racketballs. Then go do the calculation on a currency converter to see what it would be in today's dollars if you're broke and want to feel rich. It's what I used to do. |
£18500, which is about $36000. Thank goodness I did'nt pay anything like that, mostly ex dem and 2nd hand. I think you should worry how much, not how little you have spent. I know we all say that, but when my GNSC moddedd Resolution Opus 21 arrives, I'm done for a long time |
MSRP -
Speakers - $24,995
Amps - $5250
Pre Amp - $5500
Digital - $9500
PC - $995
Isolation/Rack - $1000
Spealer Wire - $6000
ICs (x2)- $6000 ($3K each)
Power Cord (x4)$5,200 ($1300 each)
Wow, I had no idea.....Can't wait for the thread "How much did you PAY for your set up?" |
Ralphnoonan-I couldn't agree more, this hobby is at times a sick, very irrational, addiction. A hobby I have always tried to keep from mixing with my credit cards. However, it is something I hold dearly near my heart. With my two day old daughter now a part of our lives, I hope she can grow to appreciate music the way all of us addicts here on AG do, because of my system. : ) |
$9,775..My problem is the polar opposite of most.My wife loves music.Also my 16 year old and 9 year old daughters.So the 9,000 system is in my wife aproved 2 channel room.Then she has her system in the living room,(more theaterish)and both girls have thier own.I spose this isn't a problem as it gives more reason for audio shopping.Being a recovering alcoholic,they look at it as a better sic addiction lol. |
In total..System is about $16k in equipment...Previous system was about twice that and it didn't sound half as good as my current system. Go figure... |
Rs422: great post.
I've got $900.00 total. 400.00 for the Luxman integrated I bought new in 1979, 100.00 for a phillips CD player I bought from a friend in graduate school and 400.00 for a pair of used Spica TC-60's. I heard a system with Thiel 2.4's, Ayre amp, pre and sacd player, and it didn't sound as good as my sub 1k system. I was surprised. Maybe I have a good room. Whatever the reason, my system sounds really good with classical.
Steve O. |
Update new used pre and new tube power amps total now $17,000 |
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! |
"A $50k or $60 system sounds way better than a $10k or $20k system and a 10k system really sounds a lot better than a 3k system. It's just a painful reality."
I agree and disagree. I've had several people listen to my system and they all agree that it is wonderful. One of my friends has over 20K in McIntosh gear and honestly says it sounds as good as his. I have done serious tweeks on my system (rolled tubes, custome capped, wired my own crossovers, etc) but mostly it is off the shelf. That being said, what you said by the more spent the better it sounds is mostly true - only up to a point though. And I base this statement on what I've seen in production houses across the country. Personally I believe that high dollar systems are mostly a pshycological thing. If it cost 100 grand it MUST sound good. IF it cost 200 it must sound even better. So in theory there is no limit to great sound, but it is based on money not science. And technically speaking, you can re-create the recording session for alot less than 10 grand. And if you want more than the exact reproduction of the session , you are coloring the music. And that's a no-no. Isn't it? |
Mine is $10k. I've found having been in this hobby since the 70s is you get what you pay for. A $50k or $60 system sounds way better than a $10k or $20k system and a 10k system really sounds a lot better than a 3k system. It's just a painful reality.
Some time ago a guy I knew, a bit of a an audiophile snob actually, with a bunch of Levinson equipment told me once you listen to the good stuff it's difficult to listen to lesser equipment. At the time I thought what a snob that he feels he must listen to the expensive stuff or he's bothered. I wouldn't go so far to paint myself in that box but I understand where he's coming from. The good stuff really does sound so much better to my ears. I recently upgraded to a more expensive amp I can surely here the difference. Same with speakers. And the same with the CDP.
But honestly I think a lot of us just try to reach analog nirvana that we remember for youth. :)
regards, David |
I have spent around 3500 bucks on my system and I really don't see the need to spend more. Working 30 years as a broadcast engineer kinda jaded me on spending huge sums of money on audio gear. Hell some of you guys got more in a listening system than it cost to produce the album you listen to. I've been following high end audio all my life and have never been able to fathom why anyone would spend ridiculously large sums of money on any system when most all recordings are laid down flat to begin with. I pretty much designed my system around what most board engineers listen to in doing a standard mixdown to master. I mean what exactly does spending 150 grand on a listening system get you other than bragging rights? I'm not trying to be confrontational, but if I went in to my production manager and asked for a pair of 50 thousand dollar monitor speakers, he'd laugh me out of his office. |
About $10,000 retail. Have $4,000 invested. Monster and Bluejean cables. I have to get best bang for buck on my salary but think I have done pretty good over the years. Most equip is prev owned. |
13,5K. Retail return on investment: 3500 dollars audiogon ,joy priceless. |
Forgetting about other hobby's where people spend obscene amounts of money, for example, cars (including aftermarket add ons) aviation, boating, aqauriums, remote cars and planes, etc.......
What about people that over the years have spend similar amounts (okay Albert aside) going out drinking (I'm sure that adds up) drugs (including tobacco), the lottery and gambling, prostitutes.
While most of society would look at us as crazy, there are much more frivolus things people do with their money, who have much less to show in terms of assets, and may have harmed their health and or psyche in the process.
Another way I look at it, a night out at a jazz club (included 2 drink minumum) is $40-50 per person, and most of the time you are not hearing anywhere near the level of talent most of we jazz fans hear on a nightly basis. |
I have a used turntable. It's a Spacedeck. But man, don't be so down on your system. I really like Arcam's. And a $2000 system is more than I ever thought I would spend on something I dearly love - music and my listening tools. |
Lets put some perspective into this :
I first bought an integrated amp and a pair of inexpansive speakers -- both used with a cd player of some kind and cheap ICs and speaker cables.
I later added a used turntable and should finish the setup with an Arcam cd73 and matching ICs.
In the end, total should be around 2000$.
Less than the average single component here on Agon.
I don't see any other upgrade in the near future.
And you know what? Although I would cry if I tried one your systems in my living room (and I'm sure I would), I appreciate my system as it is and for what it does : it allows me to enjoy the music I love.
And it is nice to know that everybody feels pretty much the same, no mather the price paid. |
$2200 new in 85 and as I sit here listening I am as happy as a pig stuck in the mud.
It just sounds so good.
I think my speakers are worth their weight in gold at about 60 pounds each. The amps worth double the $400 I paid. The quality of my turntable you couldn't touch new for 5k. The arm came with the TT but thats another 3k at least from what I see on the market today. I just bought a vintage Empire Cartridge for a oneBuckfifty, and last year I had the speakers refoamed for about $400. Good as new not bad for twenty years of pleasure.
When people describe soundstage, precence, defination.clarity, harmonics in their systems I have it all. And a great room as well
Merry Christmas
Love is all you Need
Groovey Records
Listening to The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Capital 2835 Rainbow |
Enough that my wife would be shocked dismayed and disappointed if she knew; about 15k but I spent over 20k to get to this point. Fortunately she does not ask. |
retail around $4-5000.
I spent much less, mostly used. |
Well, the price of my system has come way down and the enjoyment factor has gone way up. Long story.......I am now under 7K retail. |
My first post here. Uhh...$8125. Much of this stuff is from the 80's, and the prices are all retail at the time when new.
Infinity RSIIb speakers (1985) $3100. pair
Quicksilver Mini Mono tube amps. (2001) $1100. pair
Belles One 100 wpc amp. (1986) $700.
VTL Minimal preamp (1987?) $800.
Softone Model 3 CD player (2006) $1500.
Pro-Ject turntable (1997) $375.
All interconnects/wire (mostly new) $550.
I'm pretty happy with this system. I will upgrade the Belles for better bass response and need a larger room to fully realise the speakers potential. -Ethan
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I'd add it all up, but I find no joy in that venture. Everytime I've thought about it, I get about half the way through all my gear and decide there's just certain things I'd rather not know. I will say, I'm glad I bought some of my equipment 20+ years ago and would not want to have to pay what it would go for today. Happy listening |
About $6200, not bad for a 22 year that just graduated and started his new career about a month ago. I have about another $3000 is things I need to sell though :( |
Why did you make me add this stuff up?!?!?!
MSRP around $120K. This is NOT good! Thankfully I didn't pay anywhere near MSRP, but it is still lots of dough even at half price or so. |
a little over $22K...but I got great deals while in the biz and I paid about $8K for it. |
got it, Biometric, although I missed your implication without your explanation. |
It's not sarcasm to point out that a $60,000 system can sound like a sony boombox in a bad room with crappy electrics. And I've seen some of the "All out assaults" on 'gon. A $5,000 system in a good room can beat that $60,000 system every time if it's in a gymnasium or other highly reflective room. |
$800.00 tops, including interconnects...the whole 9 yards. Some guess it to be closer to the $3500 to $4000 range. Best part about it is...its Multichannel, not a HT. |
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. |
Tad under $3000.00.......1st ever post, so bear with me. I am simply just amazed at some of the capital spent on systems. This is not a judgement, mind you, because I can see myself willing to spend more and more in the future. I have been into the 2 channel home audio scene for roughly 6 months now, and I can honestly say that I haven't had this much fun, met so many knowledgeable people willing to help and share their experiences. I have never had a hobby that can be so immediate in its rewards. I would love someday to hear a sound system like Albert's or that Mike guy on the west coast(the Sirius room), but I'm not ready to hear something like that yet....because I'll just want it right now, and financially, that's not possible. I am so downright blown away with how my own system sounds, that I think I'll just keep listening to it for now...lol. After about three upgrade fevers over the last 6 months, I am going to stop purchasing equipment and concentrate on room acoustics, cables and interconnect re-wire, and isolation/vibration control. Applause to all of you on your systems and the fun you have with them. |
And you of course have a room and electrics that are built to suit the special needs of your very specialized and expensive gear... |
$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. |
