Did a satisfaction threshold exist under 1000 bucks ?

The gear listed in my system (sans cables, tubes, power conditioning, surge protection, the rack and custom shelves) was purchased for around $1300.

Love this system and have been using it for 20 years now.

The mini system I use @ the computer (Sharp SD-EX111/Polk RT15i) was purchased for $88.50.

$75 for the Sharp on closeout (had been $500) and $13.50 for the speakers @ a local thrift ($15 less my senior discount;-).

I owned/drove a Citroen DS-19 for 8-9 years and the cost of doing so (including the purchase price, annual insurance/registration fees and maintenance) came in @ around $10K.

When I compare that car to an equipment rack or a cable selling for around the same price ($10K) things become both more confused and more clear @ the same time.

I find it difficult to judge anything by its cost as we all have our different takes on "value".

The following link shows a DIY system that definitely cost more the the $88.50 I spent on the mini-system.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/DHGjFdnGT_Q

DeKay

I wonder if anyone has sought to downgrade their system, not to save money or because they needed the money, but because of the idea that living more simply will force them to focus more on the music.

This would be the Henry David Thoreau approach to audio -- to make it more meaningful by abandoning the quest for better sound. 

Because if I could focus just on the music, then why would I want to go back to thinking of ways it could be better? Just for myself, this is what I think about.

Yes 30 years ago. 

@hilde45

I was reading Walden Pond a few years ago and shocked at what a ridiculous book it was to me. I am an adventurer and outdoors enthusiast… but that was silly to me. The idea of taking all the incredible effort and investment I have put in my system and going backwards is completely anathema to me, as was the silly little book. Now Anna Karenina, that’s a book.

@ghdprentice To each his own. A few things Thoreau had right, in my view, was that progress is often oversold, people allow themselves to be hurried by forces they might not really approve of, and simplicity is too easily tossed aside. In other words, he emphasized a profound respect for experience. That's something I agree with. But to each his own.