I see that there are several very good threads on this forum and others regarding questions of either a) component upgrades b) room upgrades or c) software upgrades ( PCM to DSD, vinyl to tape etc).
All of the questions tend to have numerous answers, and depending on the poster, different perspectives. What is interesting is that 'budget' is not always a factor, although this seems to be important for a few people
. I believe that it would be prudent for all to remember that the cost of a lot of the gear in discussion is really only 'pocket change' for many on this forum, and yet the same gear is also going to be a years income for others!
Is the poster who asks questions about a $50K DAC ( and owns same) really asking about the cost of that DAC, or more likely wanting confirmation of their decision to purchase said DAC in the first place.
Perhaps, that same poster may has numerous other DAC"s that are even more costly and simply wants to "explain" that fact. In my area, we have several a'philes who have varying budgets for gear....one gent who has already spend well over $1.5M on gear and has, for example, his Wilson Alex 2's sitting in a corner collecting dust ( since I believe he no longer favors them) to others who are saving up for their first Rega table.
This brings up my main point of this thread: what are the prerogatives of your being an a'phile.
What makes sense to you, for instance...does it make sense to you to buy the $50K speaker before you have a great room to put it in, does it make sense to buy the $25K tape machine before you have great speakers or the room to put in? Does it make sense to spend $100 on an LP, when the same money will buy you ten(10) CD's. And so on.
BTW, I'm NOT posting this thread to try and have anyone state either how well off they are or how poor, simply to get an idea as to our
priorities in gear and sound reproduction only. Another question, would the gear that is being lauded at Andre Marc's miser forum ever have any interest to you at its low price....even if it performs way above its pay grade, or is it simply not a consideration due to its perceived lack of prestige and probable inability to compete with the very best?
Lots of ??'s here...your thoughts.