48, manage databases for a large bank (most of my career was in marketing and strategic planning). It took awhile to figure out what was in my system -- I just reposted it. The list price is over $90k. Of course, I didn't come close to paying retail for most of the components. On the other hand, I'm not counting the losses I've taken on upgrades over the year ;-) |
44 and To use a quote from Texas Chainsaw...............HES JUST A COOK |
Manager for a computer services company. Age 45.
Keep on plugging. Save your money. When you see something used that fits the bill, jump on it. Yes, it takes some time but it's worth it. You'll get there for a lot less than 80k.
I have less than 19k invested for:
NEC XG135 PJ
Stewart Screen
Key Digital HD LEEZA (waiting as we speak)
AR TT - Rega Arm - Sumiko Blue Point Cart.
SDI modified Panasonic DVD
Modded Pioneer 414 digital out through Theta Time Linq
Dynaudio Contour 3.3
Dynaudio Contour Center
Alon Surrounds
Sunfire Cinema Grand Signature (my weak piece)
Theta Casanova
MIT, Harmonic Tech, and home brew audio cables (Thanks Jon Risch!)
Home brew Canare/Belden video cables
The only things I bought new were the Theta Pre/Pro and the Leeza. Retail to buy all this would be in the mid 40's. Gotta love Audiogon! |
Age 33...project manager for a big bank...and my rig is about 25k or so retail. |
26yr old telecom collapse survivor.
Telecommunication Network Analyst, Surveillance Diagnose and repair hardware, translation, and customer troubles on Nortel DMS 500, Lucent 5Ess, Siemans ESWD, STPs, SCPs, and SOnus systems.
Needless to say, i have to put up with one wicked learning curve.
$7,500.00 Home Theater setup (bought all new, Did not know about Audiogone while i was building it, or it would probably be a 14,000 set up)
That system is DONE.
Now im looking into building a 2channel amp/preamp system from the ground up, 100% seperate from my existing HT |
25, Elementary School Teacher. As you might guess, funds are tough to come by. |
32...Ph.D. in virology/biological sciences...worked recently in P3/P4 conditions on hantavirus and west-nile virus, now working in biotech in virology and cancer biology...decent salary, but live in an expensive part of the country (southern California)....so my system is probably only about $7500...if that much |
I retired about 5 years ago and got into the audio business since, quite by accident. I am about to turn 44 and have a beautiful wife and an audiophile son in the making who is about to turn 5.
When I am not listening to audio, I am watching Tireguy's movies. Also, I do not have a ph.d, never recieved my masters, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once. :) |
Jtinn- So your the one who recently purchased my boxed set ;) I appreciate it! It really contained all of the greats in my career. |
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former corporate tax lawyer. 40. |
partner in a marketing research firm, 50 |
I work as an engineer (no degree, studied Poly Sci & Journalism). Full replacement cost $50K, new. |
Owner of Vista Window Cleaning,located in New York since 1974.My age,53. Any other window cleaners here? |
32 years old Ph.D chemist group leader in R&D for large multinational Pharamceutical company. My system is worth about $15k and is mostly made up of used gear (only brand new is my turntable). |
26 year old, underpaid whore for the telecommunication industry. |
At 58, I am a retired high school chemistry and biology teacher. Now I can sit back and relax and listen to 12Hz organ music at 100dB. |
I just turned 40 this month. I'm a plant manager for a large manufacturing company and I just discovered Audiogon about a year ago. My 2 channel system retails for $11k, but Audiogon made it possible for about $7k. |
I'm a 52 year-old retired E.O.T. (Electric Overhead Traveling) crane mechanic-technician. Performed all electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, cable, structural, rail, and walking-surface repairs on same. Certified trainer-operator for aerial platforms and mobile(ground-based) cranes for a large international manufacturing company. I was called the Stair-master. Over 20k in system. |
I'm 50 yrs. old and have been involved in textile research for thirty yrs. I've worked on everything from carbon fiber insulation for satellites to panty hose and from fly fishing line to bullet proof vests. My 2 ch. retails for 21K, but paid about 14K (only cdp and BPT conditioner were bought new) thanks to AgoN!
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37, Mechanical Engineer. My system is about $12k.
I discovered Audiogon last year and, for me, is the best audio web all around the Universe !!!
Writing from Spain. |
32 years old, 50 hr/week slave grinder (accountant). System goes for about $12000 at present.
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21, going on 22 in a month. Chemical Engineer PhD candidate (unofficial, haven't taken quals). Without a stereo system for years and just started building my first system, budgeting around a meager 2K. Classical music nut in love with the old masters. Interests in 19th century art criticism, literature and old movies. At work I speak biotech and fluid/interfacial dynamics. |
20, Philosophy/ poli-sci student. My system is worth about$2150 Canadian ($1500US) and cost about half that on an assortment of deals and used items. |
Radio programmer. 50 something. $50k something. |
45, cable tv tech full time, electronics retail warehouse worker part time. Own 3 systems (for each room), cost about $1K each. Enjoys listening to each set-up on different room for different music and time. Mostly mid end used stuff but constantly looking for better. So enjoyable but unstopable! |
I'm a retired gynecologist, age 75. My Bose Wave Radio/CD
was $499., but I did get free shipping. |
I am a 47 yr old Process Manager with a nasty habit for spending to much money on audio gear. My system retails for around $70,000 and tweaking everyday. Kana813 free shipping with that Bose Wave Radio I'm jealous. |
I don't even know what my system costs any longer.
$12,000+ |
I forgot to put my profession.
I gave up computer service to become a professional
patient. |
CNC Programmer, manufacturing. I don't work for Boeing, but we make Boeing parts. Twelve years in the business, I'm 34. My system has a retail value of a little over $9000, but I have a little over $5000 in it. It's msileading because I can't listen all at once to my three pairs of speakers, or my two CD players, or my hybrid stereo amp, or my pure tube mono-blocs... So I have to say I have $9000 in equipment however, I can only listen to $5000-$7000 in one sitting. As you can see it's not brutally expensive (of course, this is a relative statement as you peruse this forum) but I have the "coolest" little system. Maybe I'll post it someday. In closing, if you're not going to state your income, then the question isn't being answered. The value of your system is only interesting relative to your income. I want to know exactly how "sick" you are, individually. I make a little over $60,000 and try to keep my debt in check. Take care. |
Retired Air Traffic Controller. 44 years young and loving my tunes!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
You lucky duck retired at 44. Great God, your ears still work at that age! Beats the vast majority of us who only have the time and the money once our ears are failing. |
I am a 39-year-old computer software engineer. Started having this hobby since my middle school year. My first DIY system cost me around $75 25 years ago. The retail value for my current system is around $79K. |
Musician/teacher, age 51. McIntosh/Tandberg freak in the 70's, out of the audio loop for 20 years, just getting back in, albeit on a low budget. The new speakers and amps, if I may say so, are quite improved. I used to use a Mac 2300 amp (127 lbs.) as a PA amp, and I don't miss lugging that sucker around. I'd love to have a great listening room with a great system someday, but I love the rig I have (Dynaudio contours/NAD integrated). |
Bond trader ,age 33 ,60K for my Rig |
University professor (ex-professional musician), 38.
Sold audio gear as a commisioned salesman in the early 80's to pay for college and buy new gear. On the way, I fell in love with Hafler and Phase Linear equipment and have been experimenting ever since. It was wonderful to be old enough to appreciate the development of the cd industry even though I loved my analog equipment. I've recently started rebuilding my 20 year old system and have found these boards FULL of information. THANKS! |
Deputy sherrif(twelve years to go,who's counting),40years old.My system is about 70% used/20% home made/10%new.Probably system cost is about fifteen thousand.Custom subs are a crown jewel. |
Retired electrical engineer, 54years old. Now helping out a friend in a offset printing company. Started audio 30years ago, lost interest, then came back again 5 years now.
Gear mostly bought new & cables all bought used, $13k approx. Major contributors to the present "sound" are the 845 S.E.triode (awesome audio modulator tube) based monoblocs, Dynaudio floorstanders and some good value used cables bought from internet interest group. Wasted too much money & time with bookshelf/standmounted 'speakers previously. |
Gosh...lets see...50 years old. From earliest to latest:electronic tech, road crew worker, Stationary Engineer,electronic tech, boiler-maker combustion and controls, HVAC tech, computer tech. System is...well too damned much. I can reproduce it now for 20-cents on the dollar. |
Deputy Sheriff,44 yrs old.I hope to eventually aquire avantgarde uno's and a set amp to run them. |
Army National Guard helicopter Instructor Pilot, 42 years old. I'm thrilled that my hearing still tests perfect on the annual flight physical. Many chopper pilots my age and older have lost the high freq. |
I'm too embarassed to say....but it involves a plunger |
Forty two years old, and a welder. It`s loud, smoky, dirty, and it pays the bills. I work with a good bunch of guys, and that helps make it worthwhile.
By the way, this seems to be an unusually cool site, lot of knowledge, humor, and personalities floating around. Think I`ll stay for awhile! |
Clinical psychologist, 52. Guess I really like to listen! |
Field tech for a robotics company. 31 and new to high-end. About 10k into the system and will easily triple that within the next 3 years. |
Poor college student that graduates in 4 months with a degree in Advertising. Plan to spend the rest of my life whoring my creative talents to the highest bidder.
System is currently worth $1500 new. |
53, ex telecom firmware design manager. System is worth about $60k. I was in the telecom bubble in 2000, was put on "involuntary hiatus", now a project manager for the Canadian Coast Guard. |
Hey Gliderguilder, i have a Firmware mismatch in one of my DTCI's in our Portland DMS. Any reccommendations? hehehehehe
Congrats on getting outta Telecom. Im still trying. hehe |
I'm a resident of neurosurgery in my final year of training, age 38. I've been in this hobby since 1990. I don't know how much money I've dumped into a variety of systems over the years, but I'll estimate that my current set-up runs about $20K, $5k of which is just the cables (I'm planning for the future by having nice cables that won't need to be upgraded as I move to new amps, speakers, CD players, etc). Oh, and I buy almost everything used or demo (except my TV). |
