Hi-Fi can be less expensive than anything

It's an expensive hobby if you buy expensive equipment. It's not an expensive hobby if you don't. Benefits of a graduate-school education. Cars are not expensive if you buy a Nissan Sentra.

Expensive gear doesn't hurt the wallet as much when purchased used.

Taters, you must already have a great set-up. Ten thousand especially in used dollars is a lot of money.

Chayro,
You've made excellent point. To me bathtub made of solid gold serves same purpose as one made of plastic.

Being an audiophile is never going to be a truly cheap pursuit. Equipment is only one element and probably the least expensive. A serious music collection can easily cost multiples of what is spent on equipment. Plus you have to consider the real estate element. At a certain point most people begin to realize the importance of the listening room. The true costs of a dedicated listening room with even a small amount of acoustic treatment will be greater than the price of the equipment. I knew I was getting serious when my real estate living decisions revolved around listening room considerations.