What of your gross annual income is your system?

It's not how much you spend but how you spend it. I have heard a lot of expensive systems that I thought sounded awful, but they were not put together well. A cheap, but properly set up and interfaced system can outperform an expensive conglomeration of stuff that is just thrown together. Pick a reasonable budget that still allows you to have a life and some money left over for music. Listen to some live music that you like and gravitate towards stuff that mimics that sound. Consider your room characteristics and constraints. Also pay attention to the way components interact with one another.

I am a hopeless collector of old Dynaco and HH Scott tube equipment, as well as Philips and Rega turntables. I use most all this stuff, with at least five or six systems set up at all times. Just depends on which room that I am in.
I still have the Marantz 1030 amp that I purchased in 1972. So, as you can see. I hardly ever get rid of anything.
You can also see my current reference system that I have listed here on Audiogon.
When I totaled up all my equipment, and LPs and cds, recently, to see if my homeowners insurance policy would indeed cover everything, Allstate canceled my policy, stating that they could not cover it. They compared it to owning to much jewelry, etc.
Luckily, State Farm stepped up, after actually coming to take pictures, because they did not believe that one person could own so much, and wanted to make sure that it was not a recording studio.
So. In answer to your question, I guess that I have more than 100% of a years worth of income in equipment.
I would also add, though, that I am self-employed, single (no wife acceptance factor), with no kids, and my house is paid for.
I am not trying to keep up with anything or anybody. Music and equipment have just been a passion of mine since about the age of three.
I often wonder, though, how many other crazies like me are out there. None close to me that I know of
.

Well check out my system threads and
then you can do the math...
I would say that 30 to 40% of my Gross
would cover a replacement system...
Happy Listening,
Joe
Custom Audio LLC

About 15% for my main system. Four other systems in other rooms total maybe half as much.

Thank You Joe B. It takes no talent or skill to spend money and i've heard plenty of systems that reflect that. I am always impressed by those that can do the most with the least. Then again, none of my systems reflect that idealogy, so.... : ) Sean
>