How much does your system retail for?

retail around $4-5000.
I spent much less, mostly used.

Enough that my wife would be shocked dismayed and disappointed if she knew; about 15k but I spent over 20k to get to this point. Fortunately she does not ask.

$2200 new in 85 and as I sit here listening I am as happy as a pig stuck in the mud.
It just sounds so good.

I think my speakers are worth their weight in gold at about 60 pounds each. The amps worth double the $400 I paid. The quality of my turntable you couldn't touch new for 5k. The arm came with the TT but thats another 3k at least from what I see on the market today. I just bought a vintage Empire Cartridge for a oneBuckfifty, and last year I had the speakers refoamed for about $400. Good as new not bad for twenty years of pleasure.

When people describe soundstage, precence, defination.clarity, harmonics in their systems I have it all. And a great room as well

Merry Christmas
Love is all you Need

Groovey Records

Listening to The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour Capital 2835 Rainbow

Lets put some perspective into this :

I first bought an integrated amp and a pair of inexpansive speakers -- both used with a cd player of some kind and cheap ICs and speaker cables.

I later added a used turntable and should finish the setup with an Arcam cd73 and matching ICs.

In the end, total should be around 2000$.

Less than the average single component here on Agon.
I don't see any other upgrade in the near future.

And you know what? Although I would cry if I tried one your systems in my living room (and I'm sure I would), I appreciate my system as it is and for what it does : it allows me to enjoy the music I love.

And it is nice to know that everybody feels pretty much the same, no mather the price paid.

I have a used turntable. It's a Spacedeck. But man, don't be so down on your system. I really like Arcam's. And a $2000 system is more than I ever thought I would spend on something I dearly love - music and my listening tools.