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
gopher
499 posts
 
I'm 28, married with a kid in another very high cost of living area and, although I find myself completely engulfed in this hobby, I've gotta respectfully say--you're doing it wrong, bro.

This hobby provides a lot of entertainment for me and is one of my main outlets in life, but I sure as hell wouldn't put myself into consumer debt for it... or jeopardize my ability to pay for groceries.

I'm a professional, though not 'rich' by any stretch of the imagination--like you, I do fine on the income front, but its all about managing what comes in.

Start with something modest for your means and incrementally upgrade from there. It can actually be a lot of fun trying to extract maximum performance for minimum dollars... I got started in college with a pair of MMGs and a Jolida integrated amp.

Just don't fund this hobby with the money for your necessaries!

One does not have to be rich to enjoy this hobby, but they do have to approach it strategically for their particular life situations and have the patience to wait for the right deal and the instinct to pounce... also, having friends in the industry does not hurt.
hotmailjbc
571 posts
 
i can live like a millionaire in the ozarks. ha. and i never wait in line or spend more than 5 min a day in the car. and if you mind your own business there is no crime. plus there are no audio salons to tempt me with upgrades. i love visiting cities and have lived in a few but i.ve heard they keep coming up with faster rats.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Raquel, there is some nonsense in your post. You can get excellent Santoni shoes at their store for $450 plus tax, the same with Ferragamo. These are excellent brands. John Lobb will set you back for at least $1000,true.$2k rent will get you more than what you said. And even $5 sandwich can be great if you know where to buy.
On the other hand, $1 million usually does not buy what you said.
How much do you really know about NYC? Don't misinform people here.
raquel
841 posts
 
I was talking about Manhattan below 96th Street - what borough are you talking about? Paul Stewart is not that great of a store - here's the shoe page from their site:

http://www.paulstuart.com/category_template_viewall.cfm?MainCatId=14&ProdCatId=1008&subProdCatId=0&headermenuid=1

I was afraid to look to see whether they still carry Edward Green.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yeah, Paul Stewart is not great at all. Edward Green would be about $1000, I guess. Anyway, I usually buy for at least half those prices on ebay.
I too was talking about Manhattan below 96th. In Brooklyn, in a good area, you can rent three bedroom for $1800.
But that's enough of this, let's continue about stereo.
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