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Moderately priced audio

So I have been a audiophile for 40 years and in that time I have seen and owned a huge amount of equipment. Lately I have been reading Sterephile magazine and attended the last 2 years of Axpona. My question is what about the people that love the craft and get tremendous joy out of their audio systems that are in the $2-5K price range. Are they to be ignored? I know this hobby holds a lot of enthusiasm by people that have great sounding systems of new and vintage gear that they are proud of and enjoy listening to. While I appreciate the sound and the technology of the systems that cost more than a house I think there is a slice of enthusiast that are silent. Back in the 70s I worked at a stereo store that your average person came in and spent $600-$1000 and got a good sounding system. And we sold a lot of them. Seems a lot less interest today. Could it be the price of what you see in magazines and shows? I am curious to see if you people are out there that love the music and get great joy out of listening to your moderately priced audio equipment. Feel free to share what you have. I know you are out there. 
schmitty1
jburidan
803 posts
 
Buy used to maximize bang for the buck. Expect to pay about half-price. Never pay more than half-price for used except for Tannoys which retain their value.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Unfortunately the "mystique" of certain "hea" brands can preclude that type of purchase methodology.

For example McIntosh or Pass.
jburidan
803 posts
 
uberwaltz:

There's no evidence of that 'mystique' preclusion AFAIK.
uberwaltz's avatar
uberwaltz
13,381 posts
 
Try scanning listings for current McIntosh gear and see how many you can find at 50% retail........

That is what I term as evidence.

Not saying I agree with it but it is not a myth.
glupson
7,842 posts
 
yyzsantabarbara,

I had SONY CFD-S33 ($100 at that time) boombox as my only home system for five years. It was standing on a stool from Wal-Mart ($16) in the middle of an empty (dining) room. In those days, if I wanted to feel like I have some more refined sound, I would sit in the car in the parking lot.

I have to admit, both of those systems dragged me into music much more than many, actually any and all, more sophisticated systems I have heard since then. There is something about the moment and point in life, etc., I guess. To make it even more bizarre, at least to admit on an obsessive audiophile forum, both of those systems (boombox and that particular car) still sound just right. Live in the sense that I am alive again.
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