members and their systems

@inna "Very expensive audiophile stuff is one thing but something modest worth, say, $50k is another. "
I think this corroborates the OP's initial incredulity. Saying a $50K system is "modest" is like saying a $500K house is modest. For the vast majority of Americans, neither are. Spending $50K on an audio system is well within reach of some people on this forum, but doing so further separates them from the rest and adds to the alienation and dismissal from the non-audiophile community.


Yes, I'm aware that there are others who spend $50K in other singular hobbies - boating, RVing, musical instruments -- but to say that amount is "modest" is somewhat myopic to the economic realities of many.

@glupson -- I see your point. People see cars as much more of a necessity, more of a personal extension, and more of a public avatar for themselves than anything in audio.

Hi-end audio is, in the end, intensely personal. The sweet spot can usually accommodate one person.

Jerry - well wishes and speedy healing for your foot. 

Miller, you failed to mention the reason for not having cell phone, so I can't process that.

Relax. You're not the only one who can't process much. We got one listing 2021 net worth. Nobody knows what 2021 net worth is, for the simple fact it just started. Nobody ever knows what anything was for a year until the year is done. Duh. Yet a whole bunch seem unable to process that one basic fact. 

Net worth is the value of what you have net of debt. Has nothing to do with "income producing assets". People, the first step in being able to process is to understand the freaking terms!  

This is exactly what I meant before about you want to understand, first learn to look at things from a different perspective. Instead of the perspective of, "Ow! You meanie!" try the perspective of reason and rational thought. For starters. 

Otherwise, well, it is starting to feel like this may have been a documentary. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sP2tUW0HDHA

First system bought in '76.  I'm now on only my 2nd pair of speakers and my 3rd turntable/arm and preamp/amp set-up.  Before I bought, I spent a lot of time reading the experts' thoughts on various components and taking records to audio shops to listen to the characteristics of the components.  I came to trust certain reviewers who I felt were good at listening to music and were able to express what they were hearing, and I knew what was important to me.

I guess it was "trust but verify."  I trusted the guidance of certain reviewers and verified by extensive auditioning of gear.

What I'm getting at is that I'm not a flipper, and the stuff I bought was somewhat expensive at the time, but thoughtful buying makes for years of satisfaction.  So I haven't really dropped much of what I've earned over the years on audio gear, in a relative sense.