Are you Guys Rich or What!?

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!!!

I am definetely not RICH.. But I do love Audio.. I'm 21 and I have over 10K in my system. This isn't much in the Audiophile world, but it is musical and makes me tap my toes. My friends buy cars and bass systems on credit and spend their cash wastefully. I make one major purchase every year and live quite nicely the rest of the year. It's all about how you manage your money (having a good job helps too). Make sure you spend as much money on personal development as you do on other stuff like audio. Not trying to be a smart ass, just stuff I learned from some wealthy friends. "If you want to be successful you have to surround yourself with successful people" not too sure who that one is originally from.