Gryphon Mephisto

Reading threads like this shows me, yet again, just how vast the range of people are that are involved in higher end audio.  Ten thousand dollars for an audio system is like buying an 8 year old Miata and saying you are a sports car enthusiast.  Spending $50,000 and more just for an amp, and then maybe the same on a pre, and then God knows how much on speakers and all the other very high end equipment some of you own — Wow!  I will never be at that level, never hear what it sounds like, and probably never even see it except in photos.  

I’m not eaten up with envy — just realizing that I don’t have any knowledge or experience compared to many of you . . likely never will. I don’t post much but read a lot of the threads, trying to understand what some are referring to.  I think a lot of people that begin to consider higher-end equipment start with an expectation of spending what for them is “a lot of money”, only to realize later that 2 or 3 times that amount is just barely scratching the surface.  It’s like seeing the tip-top of an iceberg and thinking that is it, and then finding out that a gigantic mass lies below the water line.  It keeps amazing me what some people do. 

bob540,
Most of us won't experience that level of performance, but remember that a pretty good system like the type that many of us have is 80% of what those super systems are, and we all eventually benefit from the technologies in those products.

Bob, its an obsession. Friends have boats, fancy cars, and spend money in areas that I have no interest in. Your observation in regards to expectations on what one will spend is accurate. The deeper one go’s into this hobby or obsession the higher the spending bar. I got bit by this bug when I was 19 years old. I was in the Army during the mid seventies (Cold War) and GI’s could buy audio gear at 1/2 the price. I was 19-20 years old with a world class system. Over 40 years later and I am still involved. I think its some genetic thing! LOL! Look at it like this. I’m a winemaker, I don’t drink crappy  wine, I brewed beer for years because I could make better beer than what I could buy, I’m a bit of a foody, I like good food, I’m a coffee roaster, I like good coffee. The point I am clumsily attempting to make is, I think certain people demand certain kinds of quality in return? Their are different quality’s of musical presentations. When I play a piece and the hairs on my arm stand up, I have an emotional connection to the music. I hope this provides a glimpse into an audiophile’s obsession. John

@bob540    
Many of highend owner are not 30 years old persons.
I am well over 60. Young generations want to have what their parents finaly  got in 
their retirement . I have no shame to own good stuff. I do not play ´´ Big ´´  but from time to time  , I have to disclose what 
I own . 

An obsession — yes!  I am no youngster myself — 66 — but I only really got interested in quality audio since early 2020.  So, a baby yet.  I can imagine if you have had nice professions and really good income over the years, you are positioned to indulge your desires.  Me, 37 years a social worker, a splurge is a new compact SUV!  Still to my family and friends, they thought I had “the nicest stereo system of anyone we know”, and that was an old Sony receiver, old Jensen loudspeakers and an old Pioneer CD changer.  I tell them, “You just have no idea what really good audio equipment is!”

Speaking of showing what you own . . . how about posting some pics of your equipment?  If I can, you can!  Lol