Do You Tell Others How Much You Have Invested in Your System?

Only if they ask...

and as far as my pride goes, I'm most proud of how LITTLE I have spent on my modest secondary system, and it's what I use to "showcase" to anybody interested how great of sound they can get for not much money.  

as for my "higher end" system, I still pride myself on how great it sounds for the relatively small amount of money I spent on it to get the awesome level of performance it delivers... but I don't share the cost unless somebody asks and really seems interested in "going there."  

Most people would be MORE THAN happy with my modest secondary system; it sounds far better than anything they've ever had in their homes, most likely, if they don't already have a good system of their own, so occasionally I use it as a mentoring start point for those who express interest.

I saw someone saying, "it's a good deal if you think of the cost per note."  My setup is AV, so I justified the cost of a recent upgrade based on how many movies we watch and how much it costs to take a family to the movies.  And it honestly looks and sounds better at home anyway. 

My secondary system cost $5,000.  Legacy Signature IIIs, a highly modified Dynaco Stereo 70 (voltage regulated not ultralinear now), custom subminiature pre-amp, Kyocera 310x (upgraded caps), Grover Huffman Empress cabling and a Synergistic Research Blue power outlet.  Great sound, fills 2,500' LR, DR, BK, Kitchen and FR.  

I will, but only if asked, and always prefaced with, "... you know ... there are people in this hobby who will spend $25,000.00 on one power cord, so ..." Then my costs don't sound too outrageous.

I say I have spent 25 years putting it together and that I bought many things used. My wife says, “It’s irreplaceable” . . . I tell people when pressed, “Do you drink coffee?” They say “yes.” “Do you buy one most days for about $5?” They say, “Yes” and I tell them you spend $1,300 a year on coffee. I don’t drink coffee and buy something every couple of years for the stereo. I also say that I renovated a home for years with my own blood sweat and tears. When I sold it I bought most of my system. People understand at that point.