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
geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
Use some clever items, helping your self to define the term
"I refuse to follow the industry"
After this , audio evaluation, progression steps & urgrade path, can be a really easy, safe & fun activity.

One of this items I advise you as the starting point for your new clever audio life is the old "Red Rose R3"
A speaker that knows the heart & deeper meaning of music, that can open a whole new orizon in your senses & help you to escape from the usual hi-fi listening.
A 2X50W vintage (70's) preferably tube receiver or integrated is more than good enough (talk about smart buys).
A Lenco L75 is the next component to give you the chance to confirm & prove to your self your dedication to this hobby.
The 12" cherry arm for $250 is excellent for some great MM cartridges, the choise of them must directed by the amp too.

In general, the point of view for this clever approach, is to never pass the "good enough" threshold.
Strictly forbidden !
It is absolutely necessary to avoid the spider's web of the endless & unreasonable upgrade expenses & therefore to have the emotional space in your heart & the peace of mind to take pleasure in the use of your system & to commit yourself to enjoy the music at last !
john_tracy
341 posts
 
Join the DIY bandwagon. Upgrade your system with a soldering iron and not your wallet!
frogman
7,456 posts
 
Hotmailjbc, why you feel the need to be insulting, and personalize what could, instead, be an interesting, and thought provoking discussion about a pertinent current issue is beyond me. But, I certainly think it speaks volumes about your ability to grasp the realities of the subject. No "put down of those with lesser wealth" was done by me whatsoever. But, it is obvious I struck a chord in you with my stated opinions. Opinions which are simply that...albeit supported by some pretty strong data; if you care to learn the facts. Just one example: there are more entrepeneurs than investors on the Forbes list.

Anyway, I think that your response is very indicative of one of the key differences between our respective philosophies about all this. I would prefer to have a constructive dialogue, you prefer to demonize, and be insulting. One other concrete, and very telling difference is in your comment: "unemployment is at 10 percent with millions of people over the age of 50 with no hope of ever working in their field of choice again". See, you would prefer to focus on the fact that some, unfortunately, might have to work in a field other than their chosen field; as if that were a great sacrifice. I would say, where is it written that life is fair, and that it is not very messy sometimes? And that what is necessary sometimes is to work; period. Anyway, this has certainly veered too far away from the subject of this thread. But, if you would like to continue this discussion in a mature manner, and hear the perspective of someone who was born and grew up in a socialist country, and who came to this great country without a penny in his pocket, feel free to email me privately

Regards.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Even $50k system put together within the span of fifteen years would not cost per month as much as many other things. Some manage to spend $1k/month on food alone. Setting priorities and discipline are important. Almost anyone can afford good sound, but not the best sound and not right away.
evilfij
12 posts
 
What I don't understand is how you can enjoy a stereo at any reasonably loud level in NYC? Small rooms in apartments and neighbors on all sides seem to preclude and decent listening volume. I understand music can be enjoyed at more modest volumes, but I suspect if I lived in NYC my neighbors would not be happy about me playing Telarc 1812 overture at 10pm when I get home from work (I work for a NYC firm, but not in NYC so I both spend a fair bit of time in the city and also work similar or worse hours).

The point of the above, is that I think you can save a lot of money by going with a smaller system. Me, I drool over MC301s and MG20s, when at modest volume, there is not a whole lot of difference between them and my MG1.6s even that is a pretty big system. Just be happy with what you have. I did just fine and loved music for over a decade with some infinities and a Sony ES receiver. I could afford spend them money on the system I really want, but like everything you have to make choices and the marginal utility just is not there. Heck, I would probably be happy with MMGs and an ST70.

Music should be about how it makes you feel more than having the best possible stuff.

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