member system photos???

Oh, I get it -- you assumed that in a perfect world...

Here's a scary thought for you: I've been to lots of "audiophiles" homes to listen to all different kinds of systems. The systems that were neat and organized (but didn't necessarily sound good) were in the minority. I've seen many more haphazard no-particular-plan type of systems and some of them sounded alright.

Of the systems I've viewed on audiogon, I think that these systems represent some of the better systems out there. What is scary is to think of some of the systems that aren't posted (probably the majority) are much worse.

Newbee, I think that truly proper setup is not all that cheap; and that the "benefits of break-in are dubious in many cases." Does that mean I shouldn't offer advice anymore?

Grant, I'm glad I don't live in your neighborhood ! How are the taxes? Do you live in NJ or CA? Does that 1400 sq ft include the bathroom and garage? :)

Wow, it really amazes me how much home prices and property tax varies with location in the USA. I don't think I could afford to live in CA.

A few years ago, I had a small 3BR ranch in Jersey and at that time I saw that prices and property taxes were considerably lower in AZ. So I moved the family out to the Tucson area where we bought a larger home for less money and lower property taxes.

Since then, home prices have been jumping here due to many Californians figuring out it was a better deal. Last year was a boom year and the price of our home has now just about doubled since we bought it. Timing is everything in life, as in real estate. And sometimes, if you hang in there long enough, you get lucky.

Albert, I'll give you three times what you paid for your house (four times if you leave your system)... What do you say?!?

I forgot to mention one downside of Tucson besides the summer heat -- wages are definitely on the low side. I guess there's no place that has it all.

Nill, I don't know what to say. I don't even know what you said... But I'm glad it made you feel better. :)

Personally, I don't try to compete with other people because there will always be plenty of people that have more expensive gear and that will spend more money than I could.

My goal is simply to obtain the best gear that I can afford. If it sounds like music to me, then it doesn't matter what other folks think. But I'm finding, as many others have, that sound quality does not always coincide with the sticker price. Fun to me is finding high bang-for-the-buck gear and then trying to put together complete systems using such components.