Anyone else feel left out?

Probably 90% of the global adult population could only dream of having 10% of your budget available for something as frivolous as a stereo. No need to feel left out.
Good luck, I think with work you will be able to put together a killer system. My thoughts on a maximum bang for the buck system usually start out with a NAD integrated in the middle.

Many of us purchase equipment that is, strictly speaking, beyond our means. But if you pay a fair used price for a piece that is likely to hold it's value, your ultimate cost may be quite low. For example, I paid $1800 for my ($3000 retail) Cary SLI-80 used several years ago, and could probably still get $1600 for it. I did spend $100 on EL34 output tubes, just for fun. On the other hand I paid $2700 for used Silverline Sonatina II speakers ($4500 new retail), which I love, but now could probably get only $1800. But since I feel these are "long term keepers", my real expense IS the $2700! The Cary will probably stay as my primary all-tube source for a long time unless I go SET. But my friends know I've said that kind of thing before....

So it does depend on how you look at it: is your cost the money you spend, or, is it the combination of the depreciation hit you take while owning it, plus opportunity cost of capital, plus any transaction risk.

Digital depreciates much faster due to technology improvements. $10,000 for a DAC that will be worth $500 in three years? Ouch!

Art

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations and reactions. Every field of interest has participants that are willing to invest heavily in the quest for the best. Still and all, the inital investment in even a middle fi system can be daunting to non-hifi types. I already have a fine system (Oskar Heil Aulos speakers, KEF drivers in a custom made subwoofer, custom made 12au7 based pre-amp, G.A.S. Son of Ampzilla power amp, H/K FL 8400 C.D. player with a Scott Nixon DAC, Rat Shack interconnects, Monster Cable speaker cable, Kef 104abs for out of phase signal rear speakers). My first system costs $450 in 1971 (Pioneer 626 receiver, Dual turntable, Electro-Voice speakers). Changing technology, income and taste have brought about system changes for the past 34 years. It is safe assumption that this will continue. It is also safe to assume I will never have Krell mono blocks.

Thanks to everyone for the recommendations and reactions. Every field of interest has participants that are willing to invest heavily in the quest for the best. Still and all, the inital investment in even a middle fi system can be daunting to non-hifi types. I already have a fine system (Oskar Heil Aulos speakers, KEF drivers in a custom made subwoofer, custom made 12au7 based pre-amp, G.A.S. Son of Ampzilla power amp, H/K FL 8400 C.D. player with a Scott Nixon DAC, Rat Shack interconnects, Monster Cable speaker cable, Kef 104abs for out of phase signal rear speakers). My first system costs $450 in 1971 (Pioneer 626 receiver, Dual turntable, Electro-Voice speakers). Changing technology, income and taste have brought about system changes for the past 34 years. It is a safe assumption that this will continue. It is also safe to assume I will never have Krell mono blocks.