How to reply to questions about stereo cost?

My reply is-
somebody broke into my house and left all this junk!
If I could only figure out how it works?

Albert,

I tried that once, a long time ago, and the immediate come-back was "Can you get this setup for me, too?"

Kal

"I got some great deals on ebay, you'd be amazed the stuff you can find on there. I think I got this for $50 (point to actual planted $50 item, I've gotten so many deals I can't even remember them all."

Works like a charm.

To be honest, I am afraid to even think about what I spent on my system. The thought makes a cringe a bit sometimes so I just avoid thinking about the live blissfully ignorant, spending more and more money into this crazy hobby!

That being said, I try to avoid saying how much I spent not because I am afraid people will think I am nuts but because I do not want to go through the inevitable justification. "How much is your Esoteric better than my $50 Sony cdp?" "Can you really tell the difference"...blah blah blah. Trying to explain the value I place on audio to non-audiophiles is exhausting, fruitless work. Therefore, from my experience, the best reply is "Not much more than what you can get at Best Buy or Circuit City". That response usually ends the discussion.

I try to differentiate between those who clearly express an interest in making a purchase and those who just wat to tell me how stupid I am. Or the people who I owe money to.