Just thought after the "how much is your system worth" post that it would be nice to see what all these people do to get $80K systems, and perhaps how long it takes. I'm a 29-year old economist for the gov., just completeed my Ph.D. last month, and my system is at about $10K. Just a pup hoping to keep upgrading...
I am 46 going on 19 and employed as a Training Group Manager for an Auto Parts Manufacturer. I was bitten by the audio bug 21 years ago when I heard a pair of Celestion SL600's driven by Counterpoint electronics and have never looked back.
I am 34 (but VERY close to 35...the end is near!). I started out life as an engineer then got my MBA and changed to venture capital/finance. My system retails for around $55K (Don't tell the wifey!), though through shrewd negotiating and buying used when possible I probably spent around $28K.
One one hand, I wish that I had the $$$ to spend on the big dollar, super cool, brand name equipment, as opposed to being dependent on performing my own repairs and modifications, as well as undertaking DIY projects.
On the other hand, there is a cynical comfort that comes along with knowing that the laws of physics do not apply to fashion, aesthetics, or prestige.
Retired securities analyst, age 49. I started into the audiophile thing way, way back before my financial ship came in. My attitude about audio systems has always been to not look back and to not look forward, i.e., to enjoy the hell out of what I have at the time. But this system is the first one that I'm actually going to reconfigure my house for.
musician - to be traced through my user name, if anybody cares :-) my system needs to satisfy for monitoring as for fun, worth?? Well, lets put it this way: Less than my fiddle, but more than my car - but then I drive a lovely old Saab ;-) Simply amazing..
I am a 48 year old maintenance technician. I spent 21 years in the circuit board business (18 in IBM, and 3 in Sanmina-SCI). Now I maintain packaging equipment for Ascendia Brands (formerly Landers).
I'm 24 and I'm a web designer for a bank. I think my system retails for about 3k, but I have under $700 invested in it. It's all used, and I don't think it's true "audiophile" quality, but I like it very much. My system is centered around NHT stuff which most people will tell you is warmer than neutral, and that's the way I enjoy it.
I'm 45 and a writer of literary fiction and poetry. I love making sound, so this hobby makes sense. My wife says the system is worth about 10K--writers can't add--all of it bought used.
I posted in here some ware a few yrs back- but now I am 49 and still an owner of a commerical roofing company. EQ is still McIntosh- tons of it and still love it!
I am an eye surgeon,aged 47 and my current system is about 15K but unfortunately I was hit by severe 'tube rolling fever bug 'more than a year ago.I has since collected more than 15k worth of NOS and used vintage tubes that can last the rest of my life but the fever is still not subsiding yet!!!!!!!!
Retired due to a muscle disease,cmt,worked as long as i could,and just couldnt do it anymore,always having to lean against things to keep my balance,lots of fatigue.worked with developmentally delayed adults for like 20 years,some factory work when younger,some college.4 or 5 k in system.Roast coffee on the side for a little extra cash.
i am a mechanic in vertical transportation, been at it for over thirty five years, of all things in buildings it has to be the most misunderstood equipment, i get the question all of the time what will happen if a elevator falls, i tell them it falls up, of course i get that puppy dog look, i am 54,
Happy Realtor. 56. Classically nuts-ob/cmp. Classical&Jazz give meaning to the chaos.$64k & counting-not incl over 17,000 album/cd's & every hit R&R single from 1955 to 66. Addicted to MIT upgrades,RR sound,Harmonia Mundi..
Heavy duty recovery specialist...translation I operate a very large tow truck to handle 18 wheelers and the sort. 40 years old. On my 4th setup that worth probably about 5K.
Retired: (very happily). Journeyman power lineman (Local 1547 Alaska) and eventually that led into Systems distributions dispatcher (the "low" side of the substations .. scada controlled). Moved to the "lower 48" to settle down a few years ago. Audiophile since the mid-60's.
An ex-physicist in early 30's anyway. I am budgeting 5K for a starter system and just started reading this forum ferociously.
My years in the lab with instruments and scopes made me highly suspicious about spending $1000 on power cords and cables. So we'll see how long it will take before I get to 50K! wahaha.
I just got done "earthquakeproofing" my gear. I spent the first 30 years of my life in Illinois and Wisconsin, so the thought of the earth throttling my system is a bit foreign to me.
Electrical Engineer - Digital design with FPGAs but a nice background in RF test and measurement at a cool DoD facility and even a 2 year stint as read/write engineer at Maxtor Corp developing high-end scsi hdd's / age-34
I was a gardener in Lakeview/New Orleans until Miss Katrina came along. I read siomewhere that katrina is russian and means to "clean out". Makes sense to me, being a life long resident of the city. I guess in India she would be called Kali. The destroyer. Righ now unemployed. So I spend time researching stocks for my family's account.
Analog Engineer (Amplifier Design Consultant), 54 years, stereo is at 50,000 - not counting the 2 home theater systems or the system in the garage made of left over high end stuff. I think I have another 15,000 or so of high end gear in the attic, most of which was dissected to see what worked and what didn't.
I'm 53 today. I am a quality engineer and a metrolist at a aerospace PMEL, here on the space coast of Florida. I also own a sound reinforcement company with some recording capabilities that is about 10 years now in my friends rehersal studio on long island. My HT sytem retails for 13.5k, bedroom stereo about 5k. Other audio related collections includes microphones, guitar pedals, guitars, combos/amps, etc...
I own an industrial service company and a home mortgage company. I am 32. Systems retails for $66,000 not including custom dedicated room design, constuction and accoustical products in the room. Which would bring my cost for this crazy hobby close to $85,0000
Organizational psychologist, 43 years old. System retails for about $15k, and I spent about $12k. Wife and 2 kids keeps things in check, but not from the wife's point of view!
I have been a player and coach for 20+ years, then I went into high school teaching..I have a Masters in Biomechanics as well..
System is about 1500.00 for 2x Berning EA-230's 750.00 for Berning TF-10 preamp 1900.00 Tannoy Monitor Gold's (12's) 600.00 for Parasound CDP-2000 1800 for VPI Scout with Dyna 20X-H
Miscellaneous vintage like Fisher 400, Scott 299, Allied integrated and tuner, Allen organ amps, EV12trxb speakers..
So all in all maybe 13K...took about 5 years to get here.
Respiratory therapist,age 55, married, no kids(ahh, i can see you all nodding). Played instruments since age 7, guitar and bass in bands in teens and twenties, so music was always important. Been in this hobby since '86 and my system is around 15k. And yes, ive had to struggle to afford every piece, but its been worth it!
Civil/Geotechnical Engineer, firm principal, manager, and occasional professor. 48 yrs old. I'm trying to groom a few protege's so I can start to relax and ride my bikes more. Main system retails at just under $30K with cables and tweeks.
Mgr of a small software group for a telecom co. 50 dammit! And it ain't how much you make, but how much you spend that matters ... I am married: steeriiike ONE! We own two horses: steeriiiike TWO! I am obsessed with music/audio: steeriiiiike THREE! You're outta here, son!
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