How much to spend for audio?

[seahug]

I've not spent too much on my system (mcintosh, ygg, harbeth) but I've discovered both my wife and I enjoy listening to it immensely. Cooking/food/wine is my primary hobby but this would probably rank second.

Am tempted to upgrade just based on going to audio shows. I see some posters with systems in the six figure range. There's no way I'd spend that much but I can probably budget more. Am just curious how folks decide on how much to spend for audio and justify it to your spouse in relation to your retirement plan or income. No need to disclose numbers, just approach and concept would be helpful. My wife is actually ecstatic with what we have already.

[radio times]

Around £2-4K for me big spends. As a recent convert to speakers from head phones, I'm in no great rush. M/bikes are another story.

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by seahug

I've not spent too much on my system (mcintosh, ygg, harbeth) but I've discovered both my wife and I enjoy listening to it immensely. Cooking/food/wine is my primary hobby but this would probably rank second.

Am tempted to upgrade just based on going to audio shows. I see some posters with systems in the six figure range. There's no way I'd spend that much but I can probably budget more. Am just curious how folks decide on how much to spend for audio and justify it to your spouse in relation to your retirement plan or income. No need to disclose numbers, just approach and concept would be helpful. My wife is actually ecstatic with what we have already.

I think you are asking the wrong question. If you are enjoying your system now. do so. If you are actually hearing something that you would like to change or improve, you should target that within your personal comfort price range. If you want to tempt fate, go to shows and showrooms and expose yourself to what is available.

Bald, isolated dollar figures are not only highly personal and subjective, they often have no real relationship to the value returned.

[Antonmb]

I wouldn’t think in therms of “justifying” to your spouse. The best approach is to mutually agree on how much you have available for discretionary spending, and where your priorities lie as a couple. Everyone makes their own choices of course, but as an example, we have simple ground rules for discretionary spending: family comes first (son, grandkids); then discretionary spending on the house; then things we enjoy together, e.g. travel, vacations, shows; and last comes spend on our individual hobbies and passions. If you have conflicting desires at that point, you can always resort to rock-paper-scissors[emoji846]

[Masterlu]

Here is my technique

[Cohibaman]

You’re missing a zero or two on each there, Ivan.

[bart]

Originally Posted by Cohibaman

You’re missing a zero or two on each there, Ivan.

[djwhog]

Seriously it is so wide open a question, room size, treatments etc, lifestyle, taste in music, how passionate are you and is is a hobby or a serious life obsession. Then it depends on format, SACD, DSD, CDs. DAC, Vinyl, Tuners etc.

I almost hate to admit it to the non-audiophile crowd, but I am way north of 200k.. I will leave it at that



So at least 10k to get into a very decent audio rig that would put your best buy crowd in the rear view mirror.


Systems for serious Audiophiles up to a Million



Ivan's System Budget up to 100 million



I think after that, we are getting into the National debt range of discussion And a call to the Philly Mint to print more getus!

But seriously if you spent at least 5-10k and we have some excellant buys on the board in the gear for sale section. You may pick up a $10k speaker system for say 3-4k as an example. Best of luck, and any areas you are leaning and a firm amount to work with?

Do you want to stay solid state, most times best bang for the $$$s in power terms in a smaller budget. What is your source going to be, and tell us about the room to please?

great topic and question. Wishing you much joy in the process witch to me is almost as fun as the listening.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by seahug

I've not spent too much on my system (mcintosh, ygg, harbeth) but I've discovered both my wife and I enjoy listening to it immensely. Cooking/food/wine is my primary hobby but this would probably rank second.

Am tempted to upgrade just based on going to audio shows. I see some posters with systems in the six figure range. There's no way I'd spend that much but I can probably budget more. Am just curious how folks decide on how much to spend for audio and justify it to your spouse in relation to your retirement plan or income. No need to disclose numbers, just approach and concept would be helpful. My wife is actually ecstatic with what we have already.

Key words being “I enjoy listening to it immensely”, I would only offer one advice: “Leave well enough alone” before you engage on a roller coaster ride that will last decades and you wind up spending many multiples of what you have into it now.” The enjoyment is in no way, shape or form directly or even proportionally related to the dollars spent. The hobby simply sucks you in and bleeds you dry if you succumb to the never ending quest to better the “enjoy immensely” part.

[FDPDK]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

I think you are asking the wrong question. If you are enjoying your system now. do so. If you are actually hearing something that you would like to change or improve, you should target that within your personal comfort price range. If you want to tempt fate, go to shows and showrooms and expose yourself to what is available.

Bald, isolated dollar figures are not only highly personal and subjective, they often have no real relationship to the value returned.

I think that Kal , told it really well.