2. analog
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How can anyone afford this ?

I consider myself a dedicated audiophile. I am 36(which I am guessing is a little younger than the average here) and single. I have been interested in high-end audio since I saw my uncle's Mcintosh and Threshold equipment for the first time when I was 5.
Since joining the workforce and saving a little I have always been trying to put together a nice system on a budget. I do OK financially(I am a systems engineer) but I do live in NYC which may put some of this into perspective.
Over the last 6 months I have struggled to buy(all used on Agon) a pair of Dynaudio Audience 42s and a Threshold CAS2 amp, Chang CLS3200, and cables(I haven't gone out[I don't have a girfriend], purchased anything else and really haven't eaten too much to be able to afford these and it is still a real stretch). I am using the amp with a direct connection from my CD/DVD player(Cambridge Audo Azur 540D...slightly modified[op amps, PS caps, bypass caps] that I have had for almost 10 years). A fellow has a Threshold FET2 series II(to match with the CAS2) he is holding for me but that seems like a pipe dream at this point along with a turntable.
A few years ago the analogue bug hit me.
I had a setup consisting of an Audio Analogue Settanta integrated and a Nottingham Horizon SE turntable with a Rega RB300 tonearm with the Incognto rewire and structural mod. This was not an expensive kit by any stretch but for me it almost put me in the poor house. I had to sell the entire rig to pay my bills and it hurt.
It seems over the last 10 years or so I have not been able to keep a kit for more than 6 months before I had to sell it. Whenever I don't have a rig I am constantly scanning the online Ads lusting for the next bargain to set up a system and cannot even listen to music on a mass market rig(I have been spoiled).
Anyway, I guess my question is how can anyone normal afford this hobby? What type of money do you have to be making to be able to enjoy this hobby.....$100,000/year? $500,000/year? Do you need to be worth millions? $5,000 barely gets you in the door(some interconnects cost more) and you could possibly spend millions. I am not looking to put together a $10,000 system(not even close...and that is modest in this hobby) but if I wanted to I don't see it ever being financially possible. If I had a girlfriend or a family(hopefully someday) I would not event be able to think about this hobby with a good conscience. I guess I am wondering if all these people in this hobby are millionaires? I am close to selling my rig again to pay the bills(the amp needed repair/recap and that was $450). Any advice for an audiophile who lusts to put together a nice rig but can't afford it? Should I get out and save for 5 or 10 years and then try again? Maybe I am in the wrong hobby but it is more addicting that crack to me(and more expensive). Maybe I should be a crackhead instead...that might be the only thing to make me forget about it. Thoughts?
adamd1205
mceljo
1,357 posts
 
Just a short follow up on this topic for others that might be reading this thread feeling like the OP and don't already have gear. I'm not one to make purchases with the intent of upgrading and also generally avoid buying used. While I understand the value of used equipment I understand that for myself I'm more happy when I research what I want and then purchase it. I always have a fairly specific budget in mind and once I get the item that I want I'm almost always happy for a long long time. With this perspective in mind, that I know other share, here's the system that I'd purchase if I was looking looking for a budget system.

Pioneer Elite SX-A6MK2-K Stereo Receiver $700
Pioneer Elite PD-D6MK2-K SACD/CD player $700
Focal Chorus 706v Speakers $650
Focal Chorus S700V Speaker Stands $200
Total: $2,250

There are obvious many possible systems in this price range that are equal or better, but I'm positive that I'd be excited to own this rig.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
You don't need much of a stereo to have a better sounding stereo than 95% of the people you know, or will ever meet in your life time.

If it wasn't for the internet, you would be surprised by the number of audiophiles you would run across in your lifetime....probably 10 at most?

I've been in this for around 40 years now....after a while things just evolve slowly from one component to another.

Dave
czbbcl's avatar
czbbcl
1,752 posts
 
Man I hear ya ... Thankfully I have a decent system .. But I am on this site everyday .. I love listening to and playing music as I am a classical pianist .. But I also love equipment and could spent thousands of dollars easily.. I do restrain myself however for the sake of my marriage..

Chuck
hxt1
141 posts
 
DIY. I went thru the merry go round you're on right now. I worked in film. Long days, big $$$. I was making avg. $80k a year and my system changed so much it wasn't funny.
Then I began pursuing another career and money got tight for awhile.
I started reading about gizmo rosenberg. Thorsten loesch, and learned about the men who had been in this hobby for fifty years finding the magic of SET amps, horns, sut's moving coils and vinyl.
This stuff was SERIOUS $$$. The curiosity piqued, I ordered a cheap Chinese tube amp from eBay. And thus began the journey.
I found a Lenco, a DIY horn speaker site, and bottlehead kits.
The system I have now has cost me less than $6 k to build/ put together, but it is by FAR the best sound I have EVER had!!!
I had a guy over who was purchasing a DAC from me, we did some listening, a/b'd some dacs, and he told me that my system was killing his friends mark levinson 33's and Wilson watt puppies....
I've never heard that stuff, and I don't want to, I've got a modest system now, half DIY, and it's evolved slowly to where it is now. Synergy.
I'm making more money now than at any other point in my life ( I'm 39 now) and im content with my system, period.
There may be changes coming soon, but only cartridges/tonearms, and tubes. That's been the answer for me.
When you find your system constantly gives you joy, leave it alone.
Something as simple as changing interconnects can send you on a years long goosechase, trying to find the synergy you had.
It's one of those things, ever evolving.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,248 posts
 
First, you live in NYC which means that every night there's high quality live music available for you to hear. Take advantage of that situation.

Second, the equipment can get costly, but the real expense are space and time. Having a living space where you can properly set up and listen to your system and then having the time to actually do it.

Finally, it's been my experience that the least well spent money involved upgrading from OK sounding equipment to slightly better than OK sounding equipment. Don't change equipment unless it's a really significant upgrade.
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