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And My Budget Is...

Almost always, when someone asks for a component recommendation, they always finish with "and my budget is $X". And I'm wondering how they arrived at that figure.  Now I'm not encouraging frivolous spending by any means and I would never make a purchase that is not financially responsible, so stop right there.  But maybe setting an arbitrary budget is not the way to do it. Back in 2004 when I re-entered high-end audio after a hiatus from the 80's, I went to audition a Naim CD player at a dealer in NYC.  At that time "and my budget is" was $1500, which to me was a lot of money for a CD player.  So I listened to the $1500 player and it was good, but nothing to get excited about.  When I expressed this to the dealer, he smiled and installed the $3000 model.  Well, I could not believe the difference. I had never heard a CD sound that way.  The realism of the whole experience just transported me to another level and I purchased it on the spot.  Yes, I did think it was expensive, but I shifted my priorities around after listening and said that the extra money was worth it to me and that I would restructure my budget in other areas to make up the difference.  So what I am saying is - rather than just setting a budget of X, maybe the better way is to listen to something you really love, that is not ridiculously out of your price range and then decide whether the difference is worth it to you. I would think that most everyone here spends more on audio than the average person would believe possible and many could stretch from that $1000 dac they say they want to that $5000 dac they love if they really wanted to. When my wife passed almost 7 years ago, I thought my life was over, but as I pulled myself out of the pit and built my life back up, I started living by this principle: Treat yourself responsibly well. Responsibly well.  And I think you should too.  Be healthy. 
chayro
barts's avatar
barts
728 posts
 
Responsibly well.  Excellent phrase, seems like something Marcus Aurelius would think or maybe Seneca or one of the other Stoics.

I too don't set budgets, by that I mean I have a reasonable idea of where in the scheme of everything a purchase should fit.  Also there is the factor of my own comfort level with possessing ridiculously expensive "things".
My impulse is to donate a nice chunk of change to a food bank, makes me ill to think people go hungry in this country and I can eat whatever I want.  

Regards,
barts
oldaudiophile
322 posts
 
Chayro, I like your style!  Last time I went shopping for speakers I set my budget at $2,000.  Nothing I listened to made me think it was any better or that much better than my old 20 year old Paradigm Monitor 9 (the originals).  So, I started listening to things in the $2,500 range.  Still no "WOW" factor or not a big enough one to move me.  When all was heard & done, I ended up spending $3,500 to get the "WOW" factor and, mind you, it wasn't that big of a "WOW" over those old Paradigm but enough of one to put a smile on my face and feel it was worth it.  Paradigm make some good stuff!

I don't know how typical this is for most audiophiles but I invariably end up spending more than I think I will when shopping for stereo toys.  My approach is similar to yours, I think.  I venture out with an idea in mind, listen to things in an identified price range and, then, always ask the stereo man (it's usually a man - they'd probably move more product if they hired women) to play something demonstrably better at a higher price point.  After some jockeying around, my heart, wallet and relative good reason finally decide what I walk away with.  Of course, my comptroller (i.e. "She Who Must Be Obeyed") has a lot to do with this, as well.  Actually, this is kind of my approach to spending a bunch of money on pretty much anything.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Bless you enjoy your CD player and stay well.
dynacohum
654 posts
 
Chayro, thank you for your post.  It smacks of...wisdom!  And MC, did you ever get to hear the "full range Linaeum"?  I did at the Stereophile show at the Waldorf in NYC in '97...they were the wierdest looking but one of the most sonically transparent speakers ever.  This was shortly before they sold their rights to RS, by the way, I think.  The inventor was there demonstrating them.
hshifi
572 posts
 
Hello,
 I hate having buyers remorse. I am always doing a lot of research on things. Sometimes even years which can be interesting when the models change. Over 20 years ago I bought my second set of audiophile speakers. The Soliloquy 5.3 in curly maple. I loved them even playing on my Sony receiver. The reason I felt comfortable spending a few thousand on a set is the store I bought them from let me try before I bought them. I did not do this with the first pair. I too had a budget of $1500 when I went in. If you notice I said second. My first was the Tannoy ?? (basic towers). I was unhappy with them due to lack of bass. This store not only has a try before you buy but also a trade up program with full credit for your previous purchase. So I was able to participate in the trade up program as long as it was within one year and the upgrade met price requirements.  BTW, I still am rocking the Soliloquy speakers. Just the bigger 6.3i’s that play down to 25hz. No buyers remorse. If you are in the Chicagoland area and want no buyers remorse. This store is for you. https://holmaudio.com/
As people have said you can have a budget but listen out of your budget. This way you get what you want. 
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