What of your gross annual income is your system?

Hey Sean, yo gotta be some kinda businessman beyond being an audiophile to catch a good deal or to sell good as well, so...:)

The equally interesting question would be "What average percentage of your net income goes towards equipment and software (LPs, CDs, DVDs, etc.) over a period of, say, the last few years". Or, the simpler version: "Is there a household item on which you spend more money than on audio/home theater equipment and associated software" (in my case, the answer seems to be "no" as I recently found out - I am not sure whether to my delight or dismay).

Most of us build up their system over time so the sum of the new equipment prices can become quite a high percentage of one's annual income. As we expericence sooner or later, the value of our systems in terms of resell value is typically much lower than what we originally paid (unless you kept some vintage tube gear around for a few decades).

To answer your question: A year's income would not buy my system at list price - but I bought much of my stuff second-hand or at a heavy discount.

And here is my answer to your second question (first number calculated based on list prices, second number based on actual amount paid because items were used or discounted; numbers are not corrected for inflation ;) ):

cd player: 8% (13%)
pre amp: 5% (9%)
power amp: 7% (12%)
phono pre: 3% (4%)
turntable: 6% (3%)
cartridge: 1% (1%)
stands: 3% (5%)
speakers: 21% (23%)
speaker wires: 14% (6%)
nf cables: 20% (11%)
power cords: 12% (14%)

huh!
if my record collection is part of my system than it stretches to the half of my after-tax annual income.

Over 100%! Since I currently have virtually no gross income. Luckily I start the new job after the first of the year.