Poll . Cost of your system

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Tim 2, Jun 29, 2014.

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  1. Tim 2

    Tim 2 MORE MUSIC PLEASE Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alberta Canada
    I no many here will say cost is not as important as sound quality and I must agree but can we at least get an idea of where members stand when it comes to the money the've invested.
     
  2. Colin M

    Colin M Forum Resident

    Will there be a way of changing my vote later in the year? :winkgrin: What with exchange rates and a need for a new SACD player.
     
  3. Robin L

    Robin L Musical Omnivore

    Location:
    Fresno, California
    On the one hand, I've got something like 5 component stereos of varying quality throughout the house. But the price is well under $2000 for everything. On the other hand someone else paid a lot more than that for stuff I've been given and some of the used stuff I've bought has been crazy cheap.
     
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  4. curbach

    curbach Some guy on the internet

    Location:
    The ATX
    Do you mean retail cost or actual $ spent?
     
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  5. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Suggest retail prices
     
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  6. RonW

    RonW Forum Resident

    Location:
    New York
    Which system?
     
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  7. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    Your best
     
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  8. RonW

    RonW Forum Resident

    Location:
    New York
    10k at least maybe a bit more.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
  9. Stone Turntable

    Stone Turntable Independent Head

    Location:
    New Mexico USA
    TONEPUB started a lively thread on average system cost back in 2006 that has lots of smart/illuminating discussion.

    http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/average-system-cost-thoughts.93514/

    I'm hovering between $5K and $10K (based on MSRP) for the main system and I think it sounds fantastic. I'm fascinated by the cheapskate sport of getting as deeply into the audiophile bloom and beauty as I can while punching well above my weight price-wise, via buying used or hunting giant-killer deals.

    One of these days I'd like to spend as much as I've spent in total so far just on a pair of great new speakers, and maybe I will when my $hip comes in. I'm also hankering to acquire a really good tube integrated amp. Until then, it's all about maintenance costs and incrementalism. I'm focused on putting money in the Piggy Bank to buy a replacement cartridge that's equal to my aging Ortofon — probably another Ortofon, most likely the 2M Black. The crazy relativity of hi-fi prices means that most of the people I know would be mildly horrified at the idea of spending $700 for a freaking record-player needle, while to a card-carrying High Ender this would likely be considered a compromise, mid-range solution that barely rises above an entry-level or budget designation.

    I'd never go much beyond this spending level, no matter what kind of financial windfalls I enjoy, although I have no problem with anyone else going nuts and sinking multiple tens of thousand or more into hi-fi gear, and I enjoy eavesdropping on the hep jive of such creatures. For me the low five figures "budget" hi-fi realm is sufficient. Beyond that I'd rather devote disposable income to more creative or globe-trotting or philanthropic ventures. But I judge no one.
     
  10. tyinkc

    tyinkc Senior Member

    Location:
    Fontana, Wisconsin
    I have two systems currently set up and running plus a fair amount of equipment in closets, not being used at the moment. I just recently took inventory for insurance purposes so this is fairly accurate:
    Main system - $13,917.00 (including rack, tweaks, etc)
    Total all systems plus odd equipment not currently in use- $26,761.00.
     
  11. Tim 2

    Tim 2 MORE MUSIC PLEASE Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alberta Canada
    " going nuts " ? :shh:

    On the contrary, I should think that anyone considering a 5 digit plus purchase would have done considerable research, listening tests and soul searching before making such a decision.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 28, 2014
  12. Thurenity

    Thurenity Listening to some tunes

    1k to 10k is a pretty big gap -- buy a 64GB iPod Touch and a pair of Beats headphones are you're over halfway to that 1k mark already.

    Taking all components into account (stereo / speakers / CD / SACD player / TT / DAP / ADC / cans etc) I'm sure I'm way over 1k. But probably not even close to 10k yet.
     
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  13. Stone Turntable

    Stone Turntable Independent Head

    Location:
    New Mexico USA
    Not all posh High Enders are Mr. Spock....

    But I jest! "Going nuts" is a good thing in my book.

    [​IMG]
     
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  14. Tim 2

    Tim 2 MORE MUSIC PLEASE Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alberta Canada
    What do think o'l spock's hearing perception was like ? :magoo:
     
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  15. CCrider92

    CCrider92 Senior Member

    Location:
    Cape Cod, MA
    I checked the $1000 to $10,000, but I'm well below the 10k mark.
     
  16. Metralla

    Metralla Joined Jan 13, 2002

    Location:
    San Jose, CA
    It comes as no surprise that we did this before. That was not a poll though. Perhaps 6 categories is a couple too few, and maybe 4 levels over $10k is too many and there is not enough granularity under $30k. I bet the $1k to $10k dominates.
     
  17. ElizabethH

    ElizabethH Forum Resident

    Location:
    SE Wisconsin,USA
    My big $$ was when I retired and blew that entire money on new stereo stuff instead of a new car. All my friends were: "you are nuts" but for me the stereo made way more sense than a stupid car. (I use the stereo every day all day now, a car i use maybe a few hours a week) So with that I doubled the value of what i 'own' for a stereo, $$$ wise. (I bought a new car two years later on payments)
    When I get the car paid off I may refinance it to buy a pair of Magnepan 20.7 speakers. (easy to get $12K loan on a car. very hard to go to a bank and say i want some $15,000 speakers so loan me $12K please.. LOL)
    I am near $50,000 retail, the magnepan 20.7 (replacing 3.6s) would move that up to $60,000
     
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  18. rbbert

    rbbert Forum Resident

    Location:
    Reno, NV, USA
    You might want to close this topic and start a new one, or else make more clear how to price one's system(s). Some qualifiers to consider (I probably haven't listed all pertinent ones but it's a start)

    retail or actual cost?
    what to include? cables, power conditioners or similar, specific audio room treatments, multiple pieces of equipment (like cartridges)?
    separate votes for separate systems? Include video equipment in a HT setup price?
     
  19. rockclassics

    rockclassics Senior Member

    Location:
    Mainline Florida
    If we go original retail, mine is probably between $3000 - 5000. I bought several components used. The original retail for the B&W speakers are what boosts the price.
     
  20. Tim 2

    Tim 2 MORE MUSIC PLEASE Thread Starter

    Location:
    Alberta Canada
    I think Geoff has already set the retail price as the way to go.
    Anything that improves the sound quality could be included.
    Lets leave the cost of are music library for another day, okay ?
     
  21. ElizabethH

    ElizabethH Forum Resident

    Location:
    SE Wisconsin,USA
    I agree any discussion of 'cost' would be retail prices. The fact of buying used or at a discount could be mentioned, but in general the retail is what most folks would be discussing in total cost.

    My sytem is expensive, retail. Half of it I bought used for less. Or got some sort of discount on, Does not matter.
     
  22. Brother_Rael

    Brother_Rael Senior Member

    At as new prices, mine clocks in at around £5,300. Actual spend was somewhat less, as items were either bought used, or in a sale.
     
  23. nm_west

    nm_west Forum Resident

    Location:
    Abq. NM. USA
    That's still tough to answer. Some systems do better than others depending on what I'm listening to.
     
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  24. gillcup

    gillcup Senior Member

    Location:
    Raleigh, NC, USA
    I've been buying my system in bits and pieces for quite a few years. It eventually adds up. It's close to $25k.
     
  25. RonW

    RonW Forum Resident

    Location:
    New York
    Same for me each of my systems seems to have a personality and purpose. My least expensive system has sound that is very important to me. But this thread seems to be all about money for some odd reason.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
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