Total loser here as I have spent way too much and am still not 100% satisfied but then again I enjoy gear swapping and tweaking so in a way I'm paying for a geeky form of relaxation. Less offensive habit than blackjack booze and hookers.
What is the current retail cost of your reference system?
It would be interesting to share this as I am not sure some of us understand how decisions are made within the framework of cost and resolution. Please avoid used prices as that muddys the water significantly. Also cabling costs would be revealing as well if willing to share.
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...don’t know if I should break into tears or lapse into psychotic laughter.... What have I paid? Enough to make me happy for the time being. Will I spend more? Likely. @mrmeaner ...Yeah, it’s on the verge of that... 😏 Most would likely do a spit-take on what I’ve spent. Do I care? Will someones’ response make me feel....’inadequate’? Oh, hell....NO. Re your comment (which I don't take personnally, only as a point of 'reference'....*L*), I opt for the old saying of: "If 'it' makes her happy & content....it's enough...." (It's all in application, anyway....;)...) Back to things audio.... Whatever one opts to spend ones' discretionary dinero doing what floats ones' boat is their option And I'd be the last to argue about it. I've got 'other things' that I Have to throw it at, that makes more sense and has more impact on my 'day2day' enjoyment of this diversion in the long haul. Besides....I count on y'all to get bored and/or disappointed in the whatever puts you into that state so I can enhance what I'm about. As for the latter... Wait for it. I've had to be patient, and you've no choice in the matter. *LOL*
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The man I bought my amp from imagined he was boasting, but I was appalled, the list went on and on; he had spent - by my rough estimate - upwards of three hundred thousand dollars over the previous twenty years on dozens of things, and yet he was still groping and didn’t sound satisfied. I took it as a warning. I have older equipment that sounds wonderful and is mostly 8+ out of 10 condition. That means the previous owners exerted a special effort to keep those things fine, day after day for decades never letting the cat jump on it, etc. I feel a responsibility to them whom I will never know and am thankful to for doing so, and someday God willing, others will enjoy this equipment and feel the same way. And a system is a kind of musical instrument, deeply personal to the owner-user, an extension of their self, worth more than its price. Every penny spent is written down, but for me, the total cost reveals mistakes vs successes, the total cost of the system vs the total cost of learning to build a system, as evidence of the effectiveness of my research and the soundness of my reasoning in making choices. The ratio means a lot to me, and the system is worth far more to me than what I spent on it. |
A better question would be: How much do you spend on average each year on gear?
Regarding my system here is what I will share. My mentor of the past 3 years came over for a listen and said-"I can't believe you have put together a system that sounds like 3 x what you have actually spent". That did warm some cockles.
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I’m not sure throwing out a figure representing the retail value (or actual amount paid) tells you much. What about the person who has purchased equipment in considered fashion, perhaps ten years ago or more? Is that a lesser system, qualitatively, than one that someone spent double the amount on? Would you make that determination based on the retail price of the equipment? What if some of the gear was truly vintage? Retail pricing was very low compared to today, for that same thing. If you are about getting a sense of the demographic, how much people are willing to spend, I’d say it is all over the map. I have a system running that emulates what I was running in 1975. Some of the components in it were purchased even earlier than that date. My sunk cost is almost nil, and the cost of refurbishment was trivial considering the quality of the gear. My main system was pricey but well thought out. It is not the same as other systems that cost the same because the particular choice of components, set up, etc. all vary by user/room, etc. What is it that you are trying to find out, OP? If it is the "philosophy" behind building a system, how does the grossed up retail price tell you anything about that? |
Seems the OP is asking cost/benefit which is subjectively different for each of us. I originally started listing what I purchased and why, then I realized that everyone goes through the same cost/benefit exercise but under different preferences snd circumstances If this is just to satisfy curiosity, seems to open the door to financial judgement from others with no upside in helping anyone. |
Around $35k not including room acoustics or home. This of course assumes $20k of that is in speakers, if they had a brand name you’d pay around that much, but since I made them, the parts cost was $3K. So, reality was around $15k but you literally can’t buy what I have from a store and I would not trade my speakers for anything. So, priceless? I make no claim that my system is better than yours. Just better for me. :-) |
+1 @ozzy62 @grislybutter In most countries you cannot legally make and save this much money (let's say 5 figures) that you then can spend on shiny gadgets. It is enraging on so many levels. Is this the world in which you would choose to live? It is not your fault you have the money to enjoy this hobby and whatever else you choose to do legally. It's much more likely you can enjoy it because of hard work. Why punish yourself for the fruits of your labor? Other people aren't poor because you have the money, and they don't have money and options because you do, at least here in the U.S. In the countries you cite where these choices to buy and do what we want are taxed exorbitantly or forbidden except for the people in charge do you think they are on the right track? How do you think it helps? How many people are employed and make money to feed their families through our hobbies? Do you think of them? Self-righteousness and altruism are easy with other people's money. |
@randymaqp Now that's just funny. Best post I've read today. Thanks for the chuckle. |
@curiousjim, I think you meant ONE MEELYON DOLLARS. |
@ozzy62 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? In most countries you cannot legally make and save this much money (let's say 5 figures) that you then can spend on shiny gadgets. It is enraging on so many levels. But, we are privileged in the US and we love music, so why not? You can be enraged about the injustices of the World and indulge yourself in the same time.
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That’s not really for you to say, now is it?
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RRP for current nearest equivalents would be Amp Cayin CS55a, 2 months old, paid AUD$1950, current price AUD$2500. Lindemann Limetree Bridge 1 year old, $1000/ $1500. Denafrips Ares 2, 1 year old, $1100/ $1400. Audio Physic Sitara 25, 2 years old, cost $3000 (down from $5500) nearest equivalent today a staggering $15000. Rule no. 1, never pay full price. |
Replacement cost would likely be in the range of $20K-$25K, depending on how you price replacement for items no longer made. Speakers comprise about half of that. My electronics have lots of DIY upgrades, but would still be near $5K to replace. Most of my wires are either DIY, or basic decent lesser name stuff. I try not to pay for marketing. |
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A lot of people on here are spending way too much money on equipment, Most of my equipment - except for Magnepan 3.7i's and Technics SL1200 turnable - were bought used. The used equipment includes a Conrad Johnson amp, Apt-Holman preamp, and Marantz SACD player. as well as all used equipment in my second system, except for Magnepan 1.7i's. |
