2. misc-audio
  3. 1167270492

If you had to pay full retail, would you...???

I recently got the Music Direct catalog in the mail. Lots of cool gear, interesting tweaks, awesome LPs. Looking over the catalog several times, I said to myself, "man, there are a lot of expensive tweaks which the un-initiated must think is simply crazy". What also struck me is that all the stuff I want, is ultra expensive and the stuff at "real-world prices" are nothing really spectacular. Even at the low end side of "high-end" gear, I would be laying out considerably more than if I went to Best Buy and bought an All in one system.

So, here is where I am headed. I have put together a pretty nice system, almost entirely found here on Audiogon, over back in the day at Audiomart. I scored my amps which retail for $13,000 for $4000. My speakers retailed for $7500 and I got em for $1500. My turntable was $500, which retail was $2500. If, I bought a new $500 turntable, I would get like a Music Fidelity MF, entry level one.

if you bought most of your system used, if you had to start from square one and had to buy Full retail, would you still be into this hobby?

Entry level high end gear really does not interest me. it lacks pizzaz, like the Avid Reference has. For what I paid for my AudioLogic tube DAC, I could only afford a Mid-level Marantz. I beleive I would still be a Music lover, but if forced to spend Full retail for high end gear, I think I would opt for mass market mid-fi, or simply do a laptop based digital system through a mass market company.
128x128justlisten
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Coaching Football these days, something where the outcome is not subjective and winning means I don't have to suffer fools or discount my salary.
D_edwards (System | Answers)

That's actually the most impressive comment I've seen from you yet Edwards. I coached baseball for 14 years, and it was a great experience. The kids keep you young. Are you coaching at a school/university?
I coached a community travel team and at the high school. The community league was more competetive.

It actually took me away from the audio nervosa for a bit. I went 7-8 years with absolutely no changes in my system whatsoever. Of course I didn't fire up the big rig much in those days either. Too busy.

Anyway, it sounds like it is good move to get out of the retail end, as it probably was best for you and your customers.
eldarado
381 posts
 
I assume Mr. Edwards pays sticker price when he buys a new car.

Getting a discount at a hi-fi shop is pretty common so, why would you not ask?

I will pay full retail if the dealer has spent a considerable amount of time helping me make a decision but, if I walk in and say I would like to buy product A and all he/she has to do is ring me up, I would ask for a discount. I am in favor of supporting good local hi-fi shops and would never want to be in the position of having to buy something without hearing it. No matter what, I will always ask for a discount on wire. The margins are outright ridiculous.

For me it is the journey.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Onhwy61, in the real world (since you have first dibs on what the real world is. AND I do agree with you) people do keep their stereo systems 'til they drop. But we're audiophools, not beholding to reality. That is why we are never satisfied. Always tweaking, upgrading, lateral movements, whatever, seeking the quintessential sound within our budget range. It is fun? Probably, most people who love music and love their eternal stereos, don't know what an IC is, PC, pre, SET, and Audiogon to name a few. We are, surely, an ideosyncratic bunch. I envy the music lover-eternal-happy with-content-finger snapping lover of tunes. They may be a lot freer than me, but I love this hobby...
szutinglee
91 posts
 
to me some dreams are worth it: B&W Model Nautilus, Acapella Violon, Tannoy Westminster Royals, Avantgarde Trio Classico...

hey people pay many times above retail for new old stock tubes ^_^
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,241 posts
 
It ironic how the hobby of listening to music has morphed for some people into trading hi-fi equipment. It's a little like those people who ride motorcycles versus those who chrome, customize and end up building machines that are unsuitable to ride more than 50 miles at a time. On cost per mile basis the motorcyclist can pay full retail and still have the better deal versus the customizer who may have got a great deal on something, but doesn't really ride much. These comments may apply to audiophile, or may be they may not.
More to discover