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
geoch's avatar
geoch
354 posts
 
02-10-11: Syntax
"Does an owner of a 25K turntable has to feel guilty, because it was made for 3.5k and the rest of it is all mark up?"

Definitely : YES IT'S ME !
(actually is a 26k euro TT)

But this kind of wisdom comes later.
Not when you are 26 years old & just "want the best".
(...and M. Gindi points the way...)
blkadr
739 posts
 
Ever notice when you hear "sink or swim!". it's always coming from the guy in the boat?
bar81
791 posts
 
one would hope.
manitunc
795 posts
 
JDoris,

Yes both can be true if you only consider new financial wealth, rather than the distribution of existing wealth through socialistic programs and other means.
manitunc
795 posts
 
Absolutely, a countries overall wealth and financial condition is based on a strong middle class, but that is achieved by the poor rising up, not the rich being dragged down. Unfortunately, many in America have decided that they are entitled to live a middle class lifestyle, without really having to earn it. It seems that in America, the middle class is the lowest financial class we are willing to accept, almost as a birthright. It used to be that we were proud to achieve financial success. Now it seems we have to apologize for it. At the same time, we seem to have a class of doolittles that expect the government to provide them with that which they are unwilling to work for themselves, and do it by taxing the very people who have worked to achieve something for themselves and their families. Classic redistribution of wealth, which when forced, is something I just can't agree with. I wont apologize for any financial success I have achieved, and I dont expect anyone else to unless they have committed a crime to do so.
More to discover