Really expensive systems that sounded great?

When I was a kid, I remember my Grandfather buying a new Lincoln Town Car around 1970 or so.  “It practically drives itself,” he bragged.  Nowadays they actually do drive themselves.  Good thing too with all the buttons and screen menus I must roll through to find the seat massage.

I’m kidding.  I’m embarrassing myself.  I do like cars.  Saw the interior on this car and my wife had no hesitation with me buying it.  It’s the colors that matter to her.

And like some of you have mentioned- wife approval is a factor in building a system.  I too had to spend about double for much of my stereo gear over the years.  A new amp complimented with new earrings…

Hope you don't need to buy tubes for a while

I have a stash.

@kota1 I've heard several 100 $100,000+ systems and most were huge disappointments.  Yes, at over 15 high end stereo shows and at least a dozen SoCal audio showrooms in the past.  The worst was the Chrisopher Hansen showroom in Beverly Hills (30 years ago?) with Wilson's first speaker (5 boxes stacked) and Audio Research gear.  It sounded like five boxes shouting at me.  Totally incoherent. 

I can understand why I was disappointed at show sound because of rooms and setups.  

As to needing to spend $100,000 to obtain SOTA sound, well, yes, some of the best speakers I've heard are quite expensive.  Sure, a Maggie sounds great but to obtain great dynamics and bass requires their largest speakers, subs and ample power and associated equipment (cables, pre-amp and sources).  That can approach $30-100k easily.  To obtain really fine sound, even high end sound does not require an expenditure of $100K+.  That's why I am usually disappointed above that price point as it better represent an SOTA system sound or else. 

Awww, too bad.  I don't care about Atmos.  :D  It's not hifi, it's effects-fi.  A good 5.1/7.1 system is as much installation as I'm willing to put up with in my life.