As there is no absolute measure of value in audio past a certain point, say about an arbitrary $20-25,000 system (not including the room), there is no relation between price and value. It is akin to a luxury purchase like jewellery, and unlike a car where even the most expensive can point out distinct and verifiable differences. Capitalism is great. It gives a way for people with less than they want, to legally "extract" money from people with more than they need. It's not perfect, but I will take that over the other options. Someone making a $170,000 set of power amplifiers probably has a net worth much lower than someone buying a $170,000 pair of amplifiers. This is a way to even things out and make 2 or more people happy in the process.
Who else here is frugal?
If I had to describe myself as an audiophile in one word, I'd like it to be frugal. Iconoclast may also be right, but if I'm different it may be due to being frugal. There used to be a TV show called The Frugal Gourmet. To paraphrase him, the food he cooked wasn't necessarily cheap, but he'd get as much value as he could out of what he was doing.
Being an iconoclast doesn't hurt either. Listening for yourself and buying what you like, regardless of what reviewers say and how expensive something is also points us towards this.
What about you? Do you feel better saving money than spending it? Then tell us about yourself. :)
Being an iconoclast doesn't hurt either. Listening for yourself and buying what you like, regardless of what reviewers say and how expensive something is also points us towards this.
What about you? Do you feel better saving money than spending it? Then tell us about yourself. :)
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hombre stereophile’s Michael Fremer just reviewed a pair of amps that cost 170,000.00 dollars. You can probably find it on their website now. >>>>>>I suspect he’s had his 👁 👁 on those for a while. Wink wink Is $170,000 the top of the Dart Zeel line? 😳 |
I’m about as frugal as one can get. I still have my first receiver, and use it daily, from 1981. I still use both pairs of speakers, the only ones I’ve ever purchased, from 1985 and 1989. I have 10 turntables, each one was purchased non-working and I repaired and restored them. All 79 of my phono cartridges are vintage that I purchased at estates sales. The 4 receivers I have, are all thrift store purchases that I’m restoring. The McIntosh tube amps I bought for $10 each, non-working, from my local thrift store. The most expensive piece of gear i have, I purchased new in 1981 for $360. I dont get the itch to constantly improve. What I have is all very, very good stuff. The extra gear I have is for gifting to my kids. All told, I have perhaps $1,500 into it. My 4,700 Records were mostly handed down from my parents. |
I’m not sure if I’m “frugal” but I do search out good deals. I feel like if you don’t want to waste $ on this expensive hobby, buy items that you won’t quickly out grow. I’m the type who’ll buy the $750 speakers in order to save $, only to later on take a $200 loss selling the $750 speakers in order to buy the $1000 speakers that I should have just purchased initially. Spend more initially on something that gets you really excited and then hang on to it until your financially comfortable purchasing a definite upgrade. And when you do make a change, research it, research it some more, then wait. When you do get it, it will mean more to you! |
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