For those of you who had spent over hundred thousand dollars for your sound system.

Retail, my system is about $130K. However, I was able to buy several key components for a fraction-used or otherwise. Cash spent is about $45K.

After 51 years of systems-starting with a Pacific Stereo $199 package including a Lenco TT, Niko receiver and Quadreflex speakers. In my dorm room freshman year. There were many upgrades and changes over the years, but nothing very special by today’s standards. Even extending to recent years,

You might say that today’s system could be called my “Covid Kit”.

Retired now for 7 years, only in the last few years with travel restrictions, has my system grown to its current glory.

It all started with finding my beautiful Woodsong Garrard 301. That became the center pillar on which  the entire system was built.

Piece by piece, it took form to encompass what I consider my destination.

Recently “coming home” (after living joyfully with them for all of the ‘90s) to Quad 57s. Since amp matching is vital with Quads, I may change my amp. Other than that, I don’t anticipate and changes. 
Could I have gotten better sound for the money? Maybe. But good enough is good enough, And it certainly is far beyond anything I have ever known.

@tannoy56 Thank you for your appreciation.

For some fresh perspective, as a new dealer, I am every day meeting more and more customers, many of them who have $100K+ systems. I would classify most of them to be in the middle class or upper middle class income-wise. I don’t know many that are say in the top 1-5%. While it is something I can do, major full system installs for customers don’t come often. I would anticipate that if this is the type of service most often provided to the top 1-5%, but I could be wrong. Most other “blue collar audiophiles” as you mention may invest as heavily as they have, but mostly because they love the journey and their experiences in the hobby and the outcome. 

In any esoteric adventure…there are ALWAYS mountains beyond mountains…. I have no regrets as every component, “ finished “ room, system, recording space/studio is a learning experience…my quest is to be a lifelong learner….

Best to all on the varying musical pathways we find ourselves on….

Jim

If you have spent  $150K on gear good for you, really that is great. Me I have spent maybe $40K and I am tickled pink with my system.

I love learning from you guy's with the deep pockets and your experiences buying and trying new gear. 

I’ve spent over $100K in ~15 years without regrets. My expensive and immersive experimentation was a joy. Sometimes I made good progress— sometimes I took a step back. Even if starting from scratch tomorrow, I’m still uncertain what I’d buy. There’s a wonderful number of choices across the spectrum of prices, and a myriad of ways to combine them. My only regret will be realized if on the occasion of death, my wife of 40+ years sells my equipment at the prices I claimed to have paid for my system.