2. analog
  3. 1296759668

How can anyone afford this ?

I consider myself a dedicated audiophile. I am 36(which I am guessing is a little younger than the average here) and single. I have been interested in high-end audio since I saw my uncle's Mcintosh and Threshold equipment for the first time when I was 5.
Since joining the workforce and saving a little I have always been trying to put together a nice system on a budget. I do OK financially(I am a systems engineer) but I do live in NYC which may put some of this into perspective.
Over the last 6 months I have struggled to buy(all used on Agon) a pair of Dynaudio Audience 42s and a Threshold CAS2 amp, Chang CLS3200, and cables(I haven't gone out[I don't have a girfriend], purchased anything else and really haven't eaten too much to be able to afford these and it is still a real stretch). I am using the amp with a direct connection from my CD/DVD player(Cambridge Audo Azur 540D...slightly modified[op amps, PS caps, bypass caps] that I have had for almost 10 years). A fellow has a Threshold FET2 series II(to match with the CAS2) he is holding for me but that seems like a pipe dream at this point along with a turntable.
A few years ago the analogue bug hit me.
I had a setup consisting of an Audio Analogue Settanta integrated and a Nottingham Horizon SE turntable with a Rega RB300 tonearm with the Incognto rewire and structural mod. This was not an expensive kit by any stretch but for me it almost put me in the poor house. I had to sell the entire rig to pay my bills and it hurt.
It seems over the last 10 years or so I have not been able to keep a kit for more than 6 months before I had to sell it. Whenever I don't have a rig I am constantly scanning the online Ads lusting for the next bargain to set up a system and cannot even listen to music on a mass market rig(I have been spoiled).
Anyway, I guess my question is how can anyone normal afford this hobby? What type of money do you have to be making to be able to enjoy this hobby.....$100,000/year? $500,000/year? Do you need to be worth millions? $5,000 barely gets you in the door(some interconnects cost more) and you could possibly spend millions. I am not looking to put together a $10,000 system(not even close...and that is modest in this hobby) but if I wanted to I don't see it ever being financially possible. If I had a girlfriend or a family(hopefully someday) I would not event be able to think about this hobby with a good conscience. I guess I am wondering if all these people in this hobby are millionaires? I am close to selling my rig again to pay the bills(the amp needed repair/recap and that was $450). Any advice for an audiophile who lusts to put together a nice rig but can't afford it? Should I get out and save for 5 or 10 years and then try again? Maybe I am in the wrong hobby but it is more addicting that crack to me(and more expensive). Maybe I should be a crackhead instead...that might be the only thing to make me forget about it. Thoughts?
adamd1205
sprink
110 posts
 
I like what Mceljo said. My wife and I do okay, one car note, house note, thats it. Everything else is paid for. We take vacations we have saved the money, however I see friends who make less, take elaborate vacations, have the best of everything and never think twice about spending. Then one day when one said, "I should try to start a savings account" it dawned on me how much better off I'm doing. If and when we get bonuses, my wife and I pay off anything credit card debt we have, which is usually little to nothing, a few hundred in each of our pockets, the rest in savings. I'd rather buy a new amp, or better speakers, but I also like the security of knowing if work slows, I can take time off without having to start selling off my toys. I have $3500 wrapped up in my system. I've been putting money back for new cables, because some new and exciting ones came out. Yesterday I took that money and bought music with it. I need too quit obsessing about buying new toys and focus on why I even have a stereo. It's not "audiophile" grade, but it sounds pretty damn good to me.
frogman
7,456 posts
 
What we tend to forget is just how well most of us have it in this great country of ours; even with all those horrible, greedy corporations, and wall-street types. Here we are, sitting comfortably at our computers, talking about the high cost of AUDIO GEAR (!?!?), when as we write there are uprisings in another another part of the world, where millons live on $2 a day. Yes, trickle down does work.
mmakshak
589 posts
 
I don't think a person can just use the mind to make audio purchases. I have made mistakes doing it that way. Just because an item gets good reviews doesn't mean one should buy it. Also, you can get the same buzz by buying some cheap tweaks. I know a friend who has the best system, and he felt the exact same way we do about purchasing a $300,000 amp. He wanted it, but he couldn't afford it(he eventually got it.). He had the exact same emotions that we have about a $2,000 amp.
auxetophone
114 posts
 
One mistake I have made is to buy a component that sounded great in another system or had a great review, but ended up not working in my system.

It's hard to avoid making this type of mistake buying used - it's how you react to it that can cost plenty. One time I bought a pair of speakers I had heard sounding good in another system, but not good in mine. I was told that they "needed quality electronics" to sound their best. Before I knew it, EVERYTHING had to be upgraded, and listening wasn't much fun until that had been done. I would have been far better off taking the attitude that a component isn't for me if, by itself, it doesn't improve my system.

So the lesson is: If anyone buys a $300,000 amp and it doesn't work in your system, save yourself a ton of money & gift it to me;)
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
trickledown economic policy is just another bunch of hogwash you swallowed irroniclly on ronnie raygunz 100 birthday. hang on to your most cherished fantasies. when speaking about forgetfulness speak for yourself and not the 'we'. by the way unemployment is at 10 percent with millions of people over the age of 50 with no hope of ever working in their field of choice again. enjoy you ivory tower frogman. maybe get away from your comfortable listening position and your keyboard and check out the real world.
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