I usually just lurk but I found this topic is interesting to me I felt like commenting. I’m 70 years old. Since the pandemic I’ve gotten back into the hobby. I’ve purchased vintage McIntosh with two systems. I spent no more than $1800 per component. I like vintage US or Japanese built components although my rtr dac (Ladder Schumann) is Chinese made. I also have 2 US made Geshelli J2 AKM model dacs. I have ADS L710 and L780 speakers from 70s and 80s. However I recent ordered the Sourcepoint 8 speakers designed by Andrew Jones. I heard them at Axpona and they were shockingly good there. The speakers broke through the $2000 barrier.
Is there a ceiling limit on what you are willing to pay for an audio component?
A very informative fellow on youtube reviews high end audio gear. He pays an insane amount of money on ampifiers, speakers and digital sources. He tells you what he thinks about quality, price, customer service and performance on such brands as Magico, Boulder, Wilson Audio and many others.
So here is the question. What are YOU willing to pay for a pair of speakers? An amplifier? A DAC or turntable setup? I am interested in what you WOULD PAY, not what you have paid in the past.
For me, I cannot see myself paying over $5K on speakers and likely not more that $3K on any other component.... even if I had the kind of money Elon Musk has. Am I crazy in saying that?