What is the current retail cost of your reference system?

The retail price of my system (Conditioner + Streamer + DAC + Integrated Amplifier + Speakers) would be about $8,500. Current cabling is an additional $850. 

I think the only value in knowing how much others have invested in their systems is to better understand their perspective when it comes things they recommend. A budget component is very different for me compared to someone that has $18,000 or $180,000 in their systems.  Sometimes I think well meaning advice is given on this forum that simply miss the mark for the person asking because they are thinking about totally different price points. 

I've never thought more or less about other audiophiles based on the cost of their systems.  One thing that is unique to audiophiles and their equipment is that I'd bet the majority of audiophile systems are bought and paid for and do not represent debt.

Why is it that people think that it's cool for someone to own an expensive boat, but take issue with someone spending an equal sum of money on an audio system?  I'd bet far more boat owners have loans on their boats that are stretching them financially than there are audiophiles that have loans on their audio systems.  Maybe I'm wrong and more audiophiles are in debt with their systems that I am thinking, but it seems to be that most audiophiles built their systems over many years.