Have you ever deceived your wife-audio purchase

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.

Audiobb, the key word is GIRLFRIEND. Girlfriends are much better than WIVES. GIRLFRIENDS are MUCH more understanding than WIVES, FME. GIRLFRIENDS are out to please the man because their chief goal is to become the WIFE. Once they have the saddle on the MULE's back, it's MUCH easier to dig the SPURS in. I watch my sons 'use' their GIRLFRIENDS, and I admit that I'm jealous. I remember when my bride was my GIRLFRIEND. That was the best couple of years of our relationship, IMHO. Since then, she has been 'using' me.

That being said, I don't LIE, I just do not discuss $$$ with my wife. She has good ears, and can hear differences, but there is no need to discuss finances. Ignorance is bliss, as they say...
She has plenty, I buy her plenty of gifts, so in 23 years of marriage she has never complained, or asked the cost of what I spend on audio gear.

Cheers,
John