Are you Guys Rich or What!?

Every single piece in my system was purchased used or on auction. Full retail (puhleze!) would be ~$15,000. Actual cash spent is $5929.00. This includes $500.00 to completely upgrade the Pass Aleph P pre amp including all new metal. I work an extra job on Thursday only & use that money for my upgrades. I also have to use that money for anything else I want including a new shotgun, sofa, etc., so I'm still very careful about what I buy. There are good deals to be had & a few exceptional ones. I work too hard to skimp on my meals but also drive a 1984 Honda Civic. Vehicles used to mean a lot more to me but all I care about now is getting from point A-B, although I do have a 1985 Chev pick-up that has a very real 350 HP 350 tied to a TCI turbo 350. Oh well, that's another "hobby" that costs money! I'm not in a very high tax bracket so I can't buy too much, but like someone else mentioned, my neighbor has a boat & I have a stereo. To each his own!

i just turned 32, and my system retail is ridiculous. it took me 12 years of buying, trading, selling,etc to reach where i am. i am by no means rich, but i eat 5to six times a day and workout daily. and work fulltime . self employed though. buying used and trading will get you their somday.

Hey Tom, Go to audioclassics.com. Speak to a guy named Frank Gow. He will set you up with a great system for WAY less than $50,000, probably $10-15k. They sell used as well as new, but, the thingf I like about them kis there used gear, if listed as excellent, looks and operates as if it was bought yesterday! Frank's dad started McIntosh along with Mr.McIntosh in '49 and is a VERY knowledable guy. Tell him Sal sent you. Good luck,

I am glad a friend of mine, divorced who gave up his expensive car hobby, has a reference Audio Note system built around the DAC 5 and the Ongaku; only non audio note item is the Levinson reference CD transport. This system is 150 grand of pure heaven; never heard anything like. I survive on my almost entry level Audio Note stuff and will upgrade to a bit better stuff in increments.

1. My wife and I both love music and typically the same type of music.
2. We justify our expenditures by the car test. Do you spend more time in your car or listening to your stereo? If the answer is your stereo then you could justify spending the same amount of bucks ie >= $25K even for two off model year cars.
3. In many cases its not the sound system that's the expensive part. We purchased a house with the stereo on mind. Large room 18x 22 x 9 celing. Now that was the most expensive piece of sound gear I've ever purchased!!!