Why are all the Virtual Systems mega-assaults now?

05-09-08: Jmcgrogan2 said:

"Just out of curiousity, what are your cutoffs for 'mega-systems', 'mid-systems' and 'low systems'? I would think that everyone would have a different answer for this."

Just eyeballing and thinking of "mega" as $50k or more, including the room (if purpose built or highly modified) special furnishings (theatre chairs) and, of course, the equipment.

I've got over 20-grand in my system and the dollars of equipment I see for the last 24-hours generally leaves me in the dust, with only a few exceptions.

I'm not complaining. By the end of 2009 I expect to be pushing up near the $50,000 territory.

Dave

In counting up the 'value' of my stuff can I count the cost of CDs and LPs?

Man, I'll do almost anything to make my modest system into a MEGA system! I really need that kind of recognition. :-) And I'd post pictures but I'm afraid I'd have to fight off the burglars.

To think, I thought that the virtual systems section was merely to tell folks what you were doing. Didn't think it vested you in bragging rights. Maybe I can just post my financial statement to prove I have the means but not the desire to have a MEGA system. Is that OK?

Forgive me my randon thoughts on the subject.

Most people spent more on sales tax than I did for my posted system. People have always been very nice about the low cost so no problem there.
I posted for informational reasons and despite the problems, there is something to be said for single driver. Even though my driver is not that great in absolute terms, running it full-range with no x-over closes the gap.
"Stick with what is appropriate for your needs and you will stay out of trouble" is my motto. Hobby is different than industry. Industry buys for filling a useful need whereas hobby is for fun or getting the latest and greatest. Just go down to DMV and see the office furniture from the 50's to see what I mean.
I personally would not go with the $$$ flex drivers because they need big power and don't come to life until you reach volumes higher that what I listen to. I don't want a full-range driver over 4" because of dispersion problems. Also the driver breakup is so bad in the HF, a cheap $3.00 Dayton tweeter can do better IMHO.
If you get a super-resolution system, plan on throwing out half your music. Especially considering the crap I listen to. Anyone hear of the Zoo-Bombs or Curve?
Maybe when I get the speaker worked out, I'll go for a nice 10wpc class "A" amp. No sense in that for now.

John, that's a good point for looking at the number of systems in each category, rather than the number of posts on them. You're right, people like to talk about the whiz-bang systems a lot more than someone's NAD integrated.

I guess my cutoff for "mega-system" is if any one of the individual components costs more than $10,000. But you're right, that is a relative term that means different things to different people. Maybe we should look at it like porn: we can't define it but we'll know it when we see it.

Michael

One thing to consider is that those with uber systems have the means to swap out components and make a lot of changes and updates, which results in activity/discussion. Disposable income allows some to continually pursue incremental improvements. Those with more modest system probably tend to put something together and once they are happy forget about it (I am generalizing here of course). Just my opinion.