Nice to see the younger generation in the hobby......

I'm 32, started this hobby seriously at 29. 

Most of my listening previously had been in my car, or Bose bluetooth at home.  Boy how spoiled I was (and still am) once I got my first budget system.  $600 for everything today get's you a lot, especially when your so used to only listening to a portable speaker.

Robelvick - Car audio is definitely a good inlet to more serious home audio. Spent many accumulated hours with the car running in the driveway just to finish a song in newly (but poorly) installed Boston Acoustic speakers. 

The prices drive many away, especially within our generation. The rub is that, with a little bit of research and guidance, a budget-minded/mid-fi system can sound pretty darn good - especially when compared to heavily advertised wireless systems that are all the rage with friends of mine. You’re spot-on, though, $600 gets you a lot, especially on the used market these days. It’s a shame that many will never know otherwise.

Car audio is definitely a good inlet to more serious home audio.

It seems so innocent in the beginning. Car audio leads to home audio. Home audio leads to dealers, at first small time but then as you sink deeper only the high end dealers with the best supply can chase that monkey off your back. And not for long, as you’re so addicted now you’re main-lining Audiogon even at work, unable to sleep, always craving the next upgrade high. It never lasts. Eventually you OD on SET, hit rock bottom, horns even, tubes rolling everywhere, piles of records, until one day the cleaning lady finds you, drowned in a tub full of Groovewasher.

Music is the gateway. Just say no to tunes.

Hey, pssst! Want some candy?