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
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
The OP's symptoms sound much more like a raging neurosis than a mere hobby. If at some point you can't settle down and enjoy the music your rig is capable of, there is something else wrong. It could be emotional or it could be a system matching issue.

Perhaps you're spending too much money on components and not enough to clean up the power (power cords & conditioner), transfer the signal (interconnects and spkr cables), and interact properly with the room (racks, stands, traps, diffusers).

We all go through "kicks" and obsessions; it's what motivates us to do upgrades, which properly done, do improve transparency, coherency, etc. But it should always bring you back to enjoyment of the music. Right now my obsession isn't gear, it's those wonderful new LPs remastered by Bernie Grundman, Steve Hoffman, Kevin Gray, & co. At least I can get my "fix" for $25-35 a pop.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,248 posts
 
Raquel, from your Blackberry deal obsessing Avery Hall seat are you really qualified to talk about the majority of New Yorkers? I lived in Manhattan for 10 years and there was music everywhere and most of it was cheap to moderately priced.
lewm
13,241 posts
 
FWIW, New York is a wonderful, vibrant city, unlike almost any other city on earth, in a good way. It does cost too much to live there decently however.
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
If you need to watch your money in this hobby (and who doesn’t) and if you only have to impress yourself :) then the secret is to buy good quality USED gear. From manufacturers that people respect, and want items from.
There will always be someone on every step of that ladder looking for gear when u need to sell. I mean this even if they are not in business – as long as you have a tech for those not around anymore if a problem arose. If their products were good there are people that want them out there (i.e. Acoustat.)

The speakers, amps, preamps and especially the turntables (god help those that get into vinyl because its a slippery slope if you get hooked) - never the less anything good for 2 channel music will stay the same in value due to popularity, value and quality, and even go up in value depending on market conditions.

CD players, AV receivers, anything for digital music up to now is like computers and TV’s - take your hit every year and it will keep going down. 2 channel is different because there are crazy people like us to snap it up. This is an addiction a disease – you can’t lose money with 2 channel.
You do need to have patience when selling though or you will lose like anything in life that you have to get rid of quick.
I can get the same if not more for a lot of my gear than when I bought it used.

Good luck
lewm
13,241 posts
 
FWIW, New York is a wonderful, vibrant city, unlike almost any other city on earth, in a good way. It does cost too much to live there decently however.
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