2. analog
  3. 1296759668

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
ct0517's avatar
ct0517
2,041 posts
 
“It's not having what you want - It's wanting what you've got”
Sheryl Crow – Soaking Up The Sun.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,229 posts
 
I believe there is research showing that Americans don't compare themselves to people they are doing better than economically, but instead to those who are doing better than them. Hence, someone making $350,000 doesn't consider himself wealthy even though he is making 6-7x the average income. Instead he thinks he's just getting by because he knows many people who make $2,000,000+ annually. He doesn't exult in what he has achieved, but envies others for what he aspires to. It plays out in the audiophile realm...people describing their $15k systems as modest. As the great philosopher L. McCann spoke: "Trying to keep it real, compared to what?"
frogman
7,456 posts
 
Onhwy61, my point precisely. And then you have the bigger issue of many supporting economic policies which are irrational and self-defeating, which seek to "even" the playing field by, instead of encouraging self-reliance and initiative, try to take as much as possible from the wealthy. I am not wealthy by any means, but to the wealthy who gained their wealth through hard work, and creativity, I say: Good for you, buy that AR Reference component, so that when you get the itch to upgrade, I can have a shot at owning something I would not be able to afford otherwise.
ebm
9,311 posts
 
Its only cash spend it.
digepix's avatar
digepix
121 posts
 
Well living in Manhattan doesn't help that's for sure. I live in Queens and I own my apartment. I bought it when real estate was cheep and it has almost quadrupled in value. I do cut out most things people hold dear, no smartphone don't miss it, rarely eat out, drive a 12 y.o. car. I have an okay stereo, nothing amazing like some folks have and I could care less. I like music not what it's played on. I'm a rare person, I have money in the bank, my apartment is almost paid off and I do it on less than 50K/year.
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