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What's the Least You Could Live With?

This is a question for fellow audiophiles who have the good fortune to own high quality systems. In all probability you have $20,000+ invested in equipment and a similar amount in music. But suppose for a second that your economic circumstances dramatically changed and you were forced to seriously downgrade your equipment. How "modest" a system could you live with? Also, what other possessions or activities would you eliminate in order to maintain a high quality audio setup. Literally, would you sell the house on the lake in order to afford a pair of big Dynadudios?

For myself, I could be very happy with a Linn Classik - Monitor Audio Studio 20 combo. A little over $2k, used. I'd eliminate eating out and new clothes before going any lower.
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garfish
1,840 posts
 
All used: McCormack DNA-0.5 amp ($650.), Sonic Frontiers SFL-1 pre-amp ($650.), Sony CA9ES CD player ($300.) and Adcom 600/700 DAC ($300.), Theta TLC jitter reducer/Toslink converter ($75.), PBJ ICs ($80.), cheap Kimber spkr. cables ($100.). Vandersteen 2Ce spkrs. ($700.).

This system could be put together (used) for $2500. to $2700. and would be musical and non-fatiguing. Earlier in my high-end affliction, I had a very similar system using these or very similar components.

I'd be willing to give up the wife's beer-- don't have much else to give. Cheers. Craig
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albertporter
4,949 posts
 
All used: McCormack preamp, Well Tempered turntable and arm, Phonomonon phono stage, Benz Glider, Sound Valves Mono blocks and Vandersteen 2Ce speakers. For cable, Purist Elementa. This system should go together for about what Garfish's totaled.

If I was lucky enough to have any budget left, I would buy a decent CD transport and the Art Dio digital converter.
vayasteve
171 posts
 
The least I could live with is either a Jolida or Antique Sound intergrated tube amp,or for solid state B&K or Adcom seperates,even the CD player,like the SONY's older stuff..I would stick with my NEAR speakers and pickup a decent tuner for under 50.00,and it would maybe run under a grand total.And of course when times are tight KIMBER KABLE can bail you out with a decent sound between the components.
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