@jrosemd +1 "... spending too much money..."
@grislybutter +1 "... about 6k...." and "of course it is - it is one of the most selfish way to spend money and time. This post proves it. It is a self-serving, genitals comparing thread with pretty much 0 purpose. Who cares?"
... But, I suppose if one has all one's legacy concerns in order, family taken care of, house and car paid off, investments diversified and adequate to provide future-indefinite security, and so on, well... then whatever, I guess... indulge away, I suppose.
Some people equate good life with bling. I feel sad for such people.
An oncologist friend of mine has a spouse who believes that spending more and more money on shiny stuff will somehow bring happiness, finally happiness. They are now in the process of divorce.
And btw, a stereo system isn't really a legacy... and this truth really came home to me as I was making out the spillover will segment of my trust document: nobody that I know cares enough about my stereo system to even make it worthwhile to include in the will. Think about that. To them it would be more of a burden than a blessing. Same is true about my collectible books. So, I'll just lump it in with all my personal possessions and instruct my executor to sell it all and give the money to my preferred environmental charitable organization.
Interestingly, my musician friends think my $600 speakers and $600 amp plus a used cd player sounds excellent, as does everybody else who hears it, and I agree... it's in the public area of the house, and I entertain about 20 diverse people from a wide range of walks of life and income levels several times per month. The sound quality actually turns heads, and people offer unsolicited comments and become curious about it. A couple people have asked about its cost; they are surprised that one can put together a system that sounds so good for so little money, if one knows what one's doing... they had fallen under the spell of thinking you have to spend many thousands to get a satisfying stereo system, either under the influence of marketing or prideful "audiophile" acquaintances, and they are so relieved to learn the truth: money spent does not equal practical enjoyment of music.
I must admit I have a pair of Heresy IV speakers and a Marantz Ruby amp and cd player in my private suite, and I must admit I like it very much; bought every piece as "open box" deals by waiting patiently and then pouncing. Other people who hear it like it too, and think it's nice... but nobody so far has cared about it enough to ask what I paid for it, except on this forum.
