Have you ever deceived your wife-audio purchase


This could lead to a hysterical thread. How many audiophiles have come home with an expensive amp/preamp/and told their wife they bought it for practically nothing? Only to have paid 3-4K they had in their private stash? How many audiophiles have secretly installed a new "toy" in their audio system thinking their wife wouldn't notice. My old girlfriend thought anything beyond a boombox was excessive. Whenever I would upgrade my system,I would come up with some far fetched tale(lie) Would love to hear your story.......
krelldog
I don't deceive my wife on my purchase, our agreement is that what ever I spend this year on gear, she gets a diamond on our ten year wedding anniversary equal to what I spent.

What is funny, I buy a JL F113, sell it for X, pick up 2 SVS PB13, she adds up the three subs and writes it down, but doesn't give me credit for what I sold the JL for.
I am also extremely sexy, but having been married for 21 years now, I am neither rich nor famous. I can live without fame, thank you, but the other thing sounds kind a nice.
We have one name, two checking accounts. Even so, Wife knows what high-end audio costs. I leave "Stereophile"s lying around the house - unlike *some* Daddy Mags, at least the kids won't become perverts from reading them. (I hope.) Also she has gone with me when I've shopped for upgrade components. Hey, it was her suggestion that we buy our first "real" speakers - Magnepans, back when we were only a few months married. What a keeper she was and is.

Woodworking, oy. I too took that up as a hobby (hey, I can build custom racks now, right?) but I fell into the woodworker's High End. Japanese handtools - the Audio Note of deceptively simple bits of steel and oakwood. Lookk at the Hida Tool website. They're in Berkeley.) I could use a set of new chisels, but I need a dCS Verdi also, and it costs less.
When a Purcell shows up at the doorstep in this obviously well-made flight case, there really isn't much point in my concealing what I spent on it. At least Nordost Valhalla doesn't look expensive. She had a cool expression on her face though when I told her it was "part of a CD player". "I thought we had a whole one.", quoth she.

"Look, sweetie! A new preamp!"
"That's okay, dear. The sleigh bed comes next week. Sign for it, willya?"
Yes, dear.
cheers aporigine
I've snuck gear into the house.

Once, my wife called me at work and asked "Why does the CD player look different?"

Most of the time though, the conversation goes like this:

Me: "Honey, I just ordered X."

Her: "How much is it?"

Me: "It's $XXX"

Her: "Oh. Okay."
i am sorry to hear that unfortunaly some have to resort to description for improved gear. my sharp eared wife insists on having the best sound we can afford. she gets involved with our system and lends a good ear for musical improvements.
I would rather break-up and be single forever than being forced to lie how and where i spend MY money.
My girlfriend knows everything, especially how much money goes into gear.She even encourages me to buy something if she sees i want it and it makes me happy.
Yesterday she listened to the new speakers i bought (BRSE HR-1) and we were both very satisfied with the sound.
I know what people think - it's not the same once you get married.They all were full of understanding once.Then, if your audio-gear is your priority, don't get married.I didn't.I'm 31 and i don't see myself married in a long time.

One more thing - if i spent HER money, i would ask for her permission.This is MY money.
If i had a family, i would ALWAYS look out for my children's primary needs (food,shelter,education,little things etc.).
With the remaining of MY money, i can do whatever i want.

I have a strong opinion that i alone should be able to finance all of the family's normal needs.
Whatever my wife earns, she can spend on clothes for all i care.But she has no right to complain about 6 000$ speakers (or 10 000$ spent on gambling) if all family's needs are fulfilled.
Just my opinion, of course.I don't like compromises and i will set my life that way i hope i won't be forced to make them.