I am curious, but understand that many would not want to put the figure down in print (wife might be monitoring the website!). But, in order to get an idea of where we are in the spectrum, how much would someone have to spend to duplicate your (best if you have more than one) audio system?
I buy tapes in small spurts. The other day I realized I had $14k in tapes. Kind of set me back for a moment.
I could have bought a basic Tesla with my hardware investment. But then again, my stuff should last at least 2 to 3 automobiles lifetimes. And I use it more than a car.
"Street" value of my system is south of $20K. With all due respect, I find the current pricing structure of hi end audio absurb and I have no desire to spend any more dollars on this hobby except for music. I've stopped the never ending pursuit several years ago and just enjoy the music.
I have about £70,000 invested just in the hardware, vinyl playback only. I am an unhealthy fat old bloke and can't justify that expenditure even to myself other than to say I have finally got the sound I have been trying to recreate for the past 50 years, but for how long? Many members of this forum have put together very good systems for far less, and more than a few members have systems costing considerably more. I just wanted to get some idea of where my dream system puts me. If an anonymous survey would work better, would someone set it up for me as I haven't a clue as to how this is done?
Rensselaer requested someone set up anonymous poll and discussion to explore replies his question on the cost of WBF members systems. I will allow him to orchestrate discussion beyond this point as he sees fit. :)
Based on the system signatures, I am going to speculate that the majority of folks that frequently post, excluding manufacture reps and retailers, have systems north of $500K and some clearly more than $1M.
To me, this is not how I think about my audio system.
With most of my friends who want to get into audio, I usually ask them how much they want to spend and how do they want to play their music (vinyl/CD/streaming) and then I try to optimize their system within their budget for them.
And then if they enjoy what they have already but now have the audiophile bug, and they decide they want to spend more money on their hobby, we chat about what is their best bang for their buck in terms of upgrades.
Fortunately, I have never had friends who want to spend 5 figures right off the bat because I have to admit, I would not recommend anyone getting into audio systems new to spend that much money. What if they decided they didn't really want that nice a system to begin with. I learnt this the hard way myself - blew a very low 4-figure amount on a luxury watch and then realized I don't like luxury watches. And no, I wouldn't suddenly like luxury watches if I started with a 6-figure one.
I think a hobby is a hobby. We can spend as much as we can afford in it. But the spending should not define us or the hobby.
I hope that makes sense.
Besides, I think source material aside, the primary determinant of sound is actually room acoustics/seat/speaker positioning (and if needs be DSP) followed by the gear. So great audio can be had for reasonable prices. And if that's too expensive, there are always headphone options that are even cheaper.
I have a $125K or so tied up in 2 systems and state that only for context. One thing that I have taken pleasure in has been instead of selling some equipment that I was moving on from providing it to 3 younger folks that I know in order to get them started . They enjoy music but don't have the resources at this juncture to make the investment. The smiles on their faces and their resulting enjoyment made not selling more than worthwhile.
Your post was heartening and something we often forget. A little bit of charity goes a long way and what better gift is there than the good sound of music!!!
