oldschool1948156 posts06-04-2019 8:39pm I'm retired on a fixed income, so that's it for me - except for a new DAC or integrated amp I'm saving for.
@olschool, you made me laugh. This made me think of Steve Martin in The Jerk.
Steve Martin: Well I'm gonna go then. And I don't need any of this. I don't need this stuff, and I don't need you. I don't need anything except this.[picks up an ashtray]
And that's it and that's the only thing I need, is this. I don't need this or this. Just this ashtray. And this paddle game, the ashtray and the paddle game and that's all I need. And this remote control.
The ashtray, the paddle game, and the remote control, and that's all I need. And these matches. The ashtray, and these matches, and the remote control and the paddle ball. And this lamp. The ashtray, this paddle game and the remote control and the lamp and that's all I need.
And that's all I need too. I don't need one other thing, not one - I need this. The paddle game, and the chair, and the remote control, and the matches, for sure. And this. And that's all I need. The ashtray, the remote control, the paddle game, this magazine and the chair.[walking outside]
And I don't need one other thing, except my dog.[dog growls] I don't need my dog.
To answer the OP, I tallied up somewhere between $16 and $18k at retail, and I probably spent around $12k to $14k over time, with savings from used or particularly good deals at various times.
Robelvick added two important categories- what my wife thinks I spent and what I could sell it for, with the former making me smile. All those cables, tweaks and power conditioners are pretty invisible. my retail is around $22k, having spent about $17k.
I also think a reasonable follow on (a question that I believe we all live with) is how much more would I have to spend to make a big jump? Not just a little improvement, but a big one. I am pretty happy where I am with my sound, and I suspect to make a big jump would cost me at least another $10k, probably more. At some point cost versus performance has to enter the discussion, no matter if your system is $5k, $25k or $100k. Just thinking out loud; don’t want to side track the discussion.
Give or take about 17g used, about 39g new. I chose the used option and am quite happy camping in the listening room. Darn thing about this hobby is I'm always looking for that elusive "improvement ".And Audiogon is not helping the budget.
Before I responded earlier in the thread I briefly thought about the appropriateness of the question. And I decided that it would be entirely legitimate for someone to try to gain a perspective on how much of a monetary investment those who care about the quality with which music is reproduced in their home tend to make. And another factor I considered is that I know the OP to be of the utmost sincerity when it comes to seeking information here.
On another note, regarding the responses which have been posted thus far: My perception has been that the median of the figures that have been provided is significantly less than might be expected, given all the talk that goes on here about extremely expensive components, cables, and tweaks. Which is interesting, it seems to me.
Truth be told I thought long and hard about the appropriateness before I posted the thread, and even tried to delete it after second thoughts to no avail.
On another note, regarding the responses which have been posted thus far: My perception has been that the median of the figures that have been provided is significantly less than might be expected, given all the talk that goes on here about extremely expensive components, cables, and tweaks. Which is interesting, it seems to me.
Perhaps those with with mid six figure systems don’t want to attract the opprobrium that would be dumped on them for posting 😏
In the spirit of Al's reasoning for this post's existence -
My primary system which has remained unchanged for over 6 years now cost about $25000. More than enough for me I think. I realize I can make changes, but not necessarily improvements, and I decided some time ago to direct this 'audio based' hobby to music exploration and collection. Some thing that I find less frustrating and far more rewarding. Highly recommended. :-)
Perhaps those with with mid six figure systems don’t want to attract the opprobrium that would be dumped on them for posting.
@folkfreak Yes, I would expect that to be the case for many people having very high end systems, and in fact that possibility occurred to me as I was composing my previous post. But I suppose it's just as likely that many of those at the opposite end of the cost spectrum might be hesitant to post as well, for analogous reasons.
In any event, one way in which the thread provides value is that it will provide many with knowledge of the word "opprobrium." :-)
My main system retailed at ~15K, probably have ~$7500 in it. Put together for placement in a small (12x15') dedicated room treated with DIY acoustic panels.
Just picked up a multi speaker w/sub Bose System . Set me back $74K. But it came in a GMC Duramax Denali 😝. I’m not a Bose fan either ! But my modest home system , about $14K . If I add up both cars , my Harley and my system , I still don’t have a 911. But I’m having lots of fun . Some of you guys are killing it with those bad ass systems . I’m living vicariously through you . But I’m drift boat fishing Oregon in 2 weeks , and tuna in Mexico next month . So I’m living with my Audeeze cans and a Peachtree Shift ..
Very educational...who’s buying all that expensive stuff we all have such strong opinions about? cost of current gear: 16k retail would have run about 24k. Diy: subs, racks, isolation and room treatments.
Big items that were heavily discounted: Canton Reference 3 DC Speakers - Retail: 16K then 10K - bought brand new shipped for $3.4K Meridian 800 DVD / CD retail around $20k bought used for $1.1k shipped.
Even $12k is a lot but I been able to purchase some reference level equipment for a very good price.
I have about 10k out of pocket. That includes equipment that gets rotated in. Retail would be closer to 20k. My wife and I refer to our finished basement as "The Pit". I told her that should be the name of my audio room,as in "The Money Pit".
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