2. misc-audio
  3. 1167270492

If you had to pay full retail, would you...???

I recently got the Music Direct catalog in the mail. Lots of cool gear, interesting tweaks, awesome LPs. Looking over the catalog several times, I said to myself, "man, there are a lot of expensive tweaks which the un-initiated must think is simply crazy". What also struck me is that all the stuff I want, is ultra expensive and the stuff at "real-world prices" are nothing really spectacular. Even at the low end side of "high-end" gear, I would be laying out considerably more than if I went to Best Buy and bought an All in one system.

So, here is where I am headed. I have put together a pretty nice system, almost entirely found here on Audiogon, over back in the day at Audiomart. I scored my amps which retail for $13,000 for $4000. My speakers retailed for $7500 and I got em for $1500. My turntable was $500, which retail was $2500. If, I bought a new $500 turntable, I would get like a Music Fidelity MF, entry level one.

if you bought most of your system used, if you had to start from square one and had to buy Full retail, would you still be into this hobby?

Entry level high end gear really does not interest me. it lacks pizzaz, like the Avid Reference has. For what I paid for my AudioLogic tube DAC, I could only afford a Mid-level Marantz. I beleive I would still be a Music lover, but if forced to spend Full retail for high end gear, I think I would opt for mass market mid-fi, or simply do a laptop based digital system through a mass market company.
justlisten

Showing 3 responses by mrtennis

mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi tvad:

my personal best stereo system was stcked quads, mac c22 preamp, 4 quad mono amps, a thorens td 124 turntable with ortofon cartridge.

i had that system for 7 years and would have only replaced the cartridge and kept that system forever except for a slight problem, namely the fragility of the quad panels.

i have a friend who owns magnepan mg 3s, dyna gear, a cary preamp, etc., who has kept his system in tact for over 5 years. his speakers are over 20 years old.

the idea is to find some components that create a sound which satisfies you and then there is no reason to replace components. i still think the original quads are the best speaker ever made.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
mr edwards:

it's amazing to me that you are successful. your know-it-all attitude is offensive. a truly wise man knows he knows not. you probably know very little, and are insecure and full of opinions as well as full of yourself.

you probably should see a therapist. you sound very bitter to me.
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi tvad:

i bought the quads and quad amps from harmony house in manhattan some time in 1966. i paid full retail and a salesman set them up in my living room.

the problem with some audiophiles is that they are not interested in music or sound quality. audio equipment for them is but an example of conspicuous consumption.

unfortunately for many manufacturers and audio dealers sound quality is unimportant.
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