What is the current retail cost of your reference system?

Total loser here as I have spent way too much and am still not 100% satisfied but then again I enjoy gear swapping and tweaking so in a way I'm paying for a geeky form of relaxation. Less offensive habit than blackjack booze and hookers.

"A point of reference."

My knowledge of local traffic in rush hour can STILL let me not only pass you and your 911S with my 'beater' Focus Ford, leaving you tied up behind the 'muters that, despite your exceptional vehicle, leaving you tied up and fumed....

Bang for the buck.

Does anything else matter?  I suppose, but that becomes a personal issue that one can spend endless amounts of $ v. therapy upon....mho, discountable as per usual.

Spend what you must....I'll watch/read.....

...and wait.

*Posted under 'some influence'*

All AUD current RRP, except t/t, all up $98k

T/T $12k
Phono pre $2.5k
Streamer $9k
DAC $18.5k
Preamp $13.5k
Poweramps $25k
Speakers $14k 
Cables ~$3k

Much of my system is vintage and couldn't be purchased retail today so I converted into today's dollars which comes out to around $50k. However, my cost was closer to $32k.

Speakers - Altec Lansing Model 19 Mint (1978) - $5250 in today's dollars

Subs - REL 212/SE Pair - $8400

Amps - Quad II 60th anniversary Mono Blocks (1997) - $20,000 in today's dollars, 

Turntable - VPI Classic w/ Soundsmith Zepher (2011) - $4,000

DAC Mytec Brooklyn + - $2,250 

CD Transport - $500

Streamer  - $400

Phono Preamp- Puffin - $700

Passive Preamp - $500

Cables - $2500

Power Conditioner - $1750

Equipment Stand - $2200

Headphones - $1500

+ I have almost 10K in Decware amps on order but there is a two year waiting list.

Better to spend $$$ on physical media than go overboard on gear! That way future generations will have something to listen to when all the streaming platforms go bust!