so maybe it's not that level... how about: first speaker on audiogon
$6000 retail is pretty far up the road to high end.
$6000 retail is pretty far up the road to high end.
How the HELL do you guys do it?
- Thread starter Anti-Hero
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I have been driving the same Toyota Corolla for the last ten years. During that time, a lot of my friends have changed cars more than once. They have surely spent more on their cars than my hi fi. It is all about where you want to spend your cash(if you have it.)
I also follow certain rules myself- I spend most of my money on speakers and amps. followed by turntable and than headphones. I make a real effect to not spend money on expensive high end cd players because it makes the least difference to my system. Never buy anything that just came out; Look for used items in Audiogon that are in good condition. (like Uncle Eric said.) It is a gold mine there. If you do your research, you can really save yourself a lot of money.
I also follow certain rules myself- I spend most of my money on speakers and amps. followed by turntable and than headphones. I make a real effect to not spend money on expensive high end cd players because it makes the least difference to my system. Never buy anything that just came out; Look for used items in Audiogon that are in good condition. (like Uncle Eric said.) It is a gold mine there. If you do your research, you can really save yourself a lot of money.
Brighten
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Srsly. Audiogon is my number one "go to" site.
| Originally Posted by pcf /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been driving the same Toyota Corolla for the last ten years. During that time, a lot of my friends have changed cars more than once. They have surely spent more on their cars than my hi fi. It is all about where you want to spend your cash(if you have it.) I also follow certain rules myself- I spend most of my money on speakers and amps. followed by turntable and than headphones. I make a real effect to not spend money on expensive high end cd players because it makes the least difference to my system. Never buy anything that just came out; Look for used items in Audiogon that are in good condition. (like Uncle Eric said.) It is a gold mine there. If you do your research, you can really save yourself a lot of money. |
Srsly. Audiogon is my number one "go to" site.
MadMan007
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Lol lots of enabling in this thread just like all enthusiast forums I read
Not bashing anyone about it, just saying, and there are some good points (my favorite one is buy and sell used stuff to try it out) and tips on ways to keep things under control. The best tip I can think of is enjoy what you've got. DIY is another way to both learn AND have a fun hobby and save some money although it's kind of hard with headphones themselves. It may seem like there's always greener pastures, and maybe there are, but that shouldn't take away from what you've got already or require you to buy new stuff. It's partly why I don't make signatures with stuff on any forums - I know what I've got it doesn't matter if anyone else knows.
Related to that don't worry about what other people have, especially if you like what you've got. Once you feel pretty settled on what you've got, use it! rather than just thinking 'hmm what next.'
More broadly financial responsibility is key. I rarely go in to this because it's a little preachy but might as well here. If you're not saving too (no I don't mean 'saving by spending' like WalMart makes you think
) you shouldn't be spending in the first place. The current economic situation and the path that got us here ought to make that obvious.
Finally, unless you're getting crazy expensive gear the #1 cost as a percentage of any 'system' should be music. *Maybe* if all you buy is used vinyl that applies less. Gear is a way to listen to music, it shouldn't be the goal itself. Without the music where's the joy and what's the point?
Quote:
Not to pick on you because there are many quotable posts. But I feel his point was that the 'level of the sound experience' gets a lot closer once you cross the $1500 (maybe even lower if you snag a deal) point. Yes some speakers get stupidly expensive but we all know that past a certain point you're paying a lot more for very little increase in performance, not to mention marketing, ego factor, and other things not directly related to sound quality. Sure you are unlikely to find $50k speakers for $5k but you're also unlikely to find very high end phones for 10% of their price either.
More broadly financial responsibility is key. I rarely go in to this because it's a little preachy but might as well here. If you're not saving too (no I don't mean 'saving by spending' like WalMart makes you think
Finally, unless you're getting crazy expensive gear the #1 cost as a percentage of any 'system' should be music. *Maybe* if all you buy is used vinyl that applies less. Gear is a way to listen to music, it shouldn't be the goal itself. Without the music where's the joy and what's the point?
Quote:
| Originally Posted by Rob T /img/forum/go_quote.gif I will disagree with you. Can you be more specific with regard to the "high-end used speakers" that you are referring to? Your definition of high end speakers may not be the same as mine or others. If you can buy a used pair of Wilson speakers for $1700.00, please immediately provide me a link!!!
Wilson Audio: Audio Excellence, High-quality Audio Components, Luxury Speakers |
Not to pick on you because there are many quotable posts. But I feel his point was that the 'level of the sound experience' gets a lot closer once you cross the $1500 (maybe even lower if you snag a deal) point. Yes some speakers get stupidly expensive but we all know that past a certain point you're paying a lot more for very little increase in performance, not to mention marketing, ego factor, and other things not directly related to sound quality. Sure you are unlikely to find $50k speakers for $5k but you're also unlikely to find very high end phones for 10% of their price either.
mbd2884
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Think of it this way. The AD900s will sound awesome for many years to come. They will save you lots of money in the long run from purchasing numerous crummy cans that just keep breaking.
| Originally Posted by Anti-Hero /img/forum/go_quote.gif Justifying spending all this money on headphones. It's so damn hard for me. I just ordered a pair of AD900's. I've wanted them for the longest time and I finally saved up enough to buy them so I did. I should feel happy. But I can't help but think of all the other uses for that money I spent. HELP ME FEEL NOT SO CRAPPY! |
Think of it this way. The AD900s will sound awesome for many years to come. They will save you lots of money in the long run from purchasing numerous crummy cans that just keep breaking.
Eagle Eye
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I guess the rule I live by is to take care of my family first and then what is left is OK to be spent provided everything else is taken care of first. I learned long ago to not let my wants get me into trouble by using credit cards when I can't pay it off at the end of the month. I now do not own any but do use a debit card and only spend what I have. That way I do not feel guilty about rewarding myself for taking care of my business. I too am glad that work is not my whole life. I enjoy my time with music and it relaxes me to no end.
Happy Camper
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Here here.
You are allowed to have a reward for hard work and responsible fiscal management. Debit is the only way.
| Originally Posted by Eagle Eye /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess the rule I live by is to take care of my family first and then what is left is OK to be spent provided everything else is taken care of first. I learned long ago to not let my wants get me into trouble by using credit cards when I can't pay it off at the end of the month. I now do not own any but do use a debit card and only spend what I have. That way I do not feel guilty about rewarding myself for taking care of my business. I too am glad that work is not my whole life. I enjoy my time with music and it relaxes me to no end. |
Here here.
You are allowed to have a reward for hard work and responsible fiscal management. Debit is the only way.
Brighten
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Yes, Debit is the only way. You speak wisdom like Yoda.
| Originally Posted by Happy Camper /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here here. You are allowed to have a reward for hard work and responsible fiscal management. Debit is the only way. |
Yes, Debit is the only way. You speak wisdom like Yoda.
Moontan13
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There's a lot of wisdom in what you wrote there.
| Originally Posted by mbd2884 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Think of it this way. The AD900s will sound awesome for many years to come. They will save you lots of money in the long run from purchasing numerous crummy cans that just keep breaking. |
There's a lot of wisdom in what you wrote there.
Quote:
Exactly, its about how you partition your disposable income. $2000-$3000 for an audio setup you'll enjoy for over a decade is nothing compared to keeping up with the upgrades that most people do these days. As you said, cars [which adds up if you continuously exchange models because you DO take a loss] and of course customizing them if thats your thing, and TVs. Gotta get that new 60" Plasma, and did you hear about that OLED technology? Better get that to replace the Plasma asap. Dont forget a BRD player and as many movies as you can get which cost $20-$30 a pop. And of course you cant watch your new movies without an overpriced Bose surround sound system. Now that you've got all that, probably time for a new luxury sofa. Theres a few thousand more. Etc etc..
This? Expensive? I dont think so. Any hobby you can truly invest in is a worthwhile hobby indeed.
| Originally Posted by pcf /img/forum/go_quote.gif I have been driving the same Toyota Corolla for the last ten years. During that time, a lot of my friends have changed cars more than once. They have surely spent more on their cars than my hi fi. It is all about where you want to spend your cash(if you have it.) I also follow certain rules myself- I spend most of my money on speakers and amps. followed by turntable and than headphones. I make a real effect to not spend money on expensive high end cd players because it makes the least difference to my system. Never buy anything that just came out; Look for used items in Audiogon that are in good condition. (like Uncle Eric said.) It is a gold mine there. If you do your research, you can really save yourself a lot of money. |
Exactly, its about how you partition your disposable income. $2000-$3000 for an audio setup you'll enjoy for over a decade is nothing compared to keeping up with the upgrades that most people do these days. As you said, cars [which adds up if you continuously exchange models because you DO take a loss] and of course customizing them if thats your thing, and TVs. Gotta get that new 60" Plasma, and did you hear about that OLED technology? Better get that to replace the Plasma asap. Dont forget a BRD player and as many movies as you can get which cost $20-$30 a pop. And of course you cant watch your new movies without an overpriced Bose surround sound system. Now that you've got all that, probably time for a new luxury sofa. Theres a few thousand more. Etc etc..
This? Expensive? I dont think so. Any hobby you can truly invest in is a worthwhile hobby indeed.
Moontan13
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After my wife and I climbed out of our pit of debt, we learned to save for the things on the want list. Often I lose interest by the time I save the required amount. Aside from the benefit of not going into debt, saving gives me time to do more research on the item I want, often revealing some important detail, finding another item that was better, and best of all, finding that item highly discounted.
| Originally Posted by Eagle Eye /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess the rule I live by is to take care of my family first and then what is left is OK to be spent provided everything else is taken care of first. |
After my wife and I climbed out of our pit of debt, we learned to save for the things on the want list. Often I lose interest by the time I save the required amount. Aside from the benefit of not going into debt, saving gives me time to do more research on the item I want, often revealing some important detail, finding another item that was better, and best of all, finding that item highly discounted.
Rob T
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Well said.
| Originally Posted by Eagle Eye /img/forum/go_quote.gif I guess the rule I live by is to take care of my family first and then what is left is OK to be spent provided everything else is taken care of first. I learned long ago to not let my wants get me into trouble by using credit cards when I can't pay it off at the end of the month. I now do not own any but do use a debit card and only spend what I have. That way I do not feel guilty about rewarding myself for taking care of my business. I too am glad that work is not my whole life. I enjoy my time with music and it relaxes me to no end. |
Well said.
MadMan007
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That's one great thing about audio, especially 2-channel audio. While occasionally there is something great and new that wasn't around before, for the most part it's been understood for a long time. Meaning that even lower-end pieces are pretty refined and there is a ton of great used gear floating around. *looks at 25+ year old speakers*
| Originally Posted by Skin /img/forum/go_quote.gif Exactly, its about how you partition your disposable income. $2000-$3000 for an audio setup you'll enjoy for over a decade is nothing compared to keeping up with the upgrades that most people do these days. As you said, cars [which adds up if you continuously exchange models because you DO take a loss] and of course customizing them if thats your thing, and TVs. Gotta get that new 60" Plasma, and did you hear about that OLED technology? Better get that to replace the Plasma asap. Dont forget a BRD player and as many movies as you can get which cost $20-$30 a pop. And of course you cant watch your new movies without an overpriced Bose surround sound system. Now that you've got all that, probably time for a new luxury sofa. Theres a few thousand more. Etc etc.. This? Expensive? I dont think so. Any hobby you can truly invest in is a worthwhile hobby indeed. |
That's one great thing about audio, especially 2-channel audio. While occasionally there is something great and new that wasn't around before, for the most part it's been understood for a long time. Meaning that even lower-end pieces are pretty refined and there is a ton of great used gear floating around. *looks at 25+ year old speakers*
tintin47
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That may be true, but not everyone may not have the same freedom in listening habits that you do. Though I have no need to spend 1700 on phones, I would rather spend the money on phones than on speakers. I have a decent speaker set up that I enjoy (magnepan tympani 1-Ds), but I like listening to headphones more. I have heard truly great speaker set ups in perfect rooms at audio dealers and I still like the intimate feeling of phones more.
The other thing that gets to me about speakers is pure logistics. Positioning them and worrying about damping, wall coverings etc is just a lot to deal with. Plus, it takes a lot of room. Many live in apartments or smaller spaces where it isn't practical to dedicate that much room to listening, or where neighbors must be considered.
| Originally Posted by Uncle Erik /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll disagree with you here. Have you checked the prices of used speakers at Audiogon lately? You can get some classic, superb speakers for less than a HD-800 or PS-1000. Which I'm doing myself. I don't think I'll buy either of those, but will be picking up one or two more pairs of speakers instead. For $325, it's hard to touch the HD-650. But when you get to $1,700, well, you can go right to the high end in used speakers. Not trashing the new cans, but everyone should know that they cost the same as high-end used speakers. |
That may be true, but not everyone may not have the same freedom in listening habits that you do. Though I have no need to spend 1700 on phones, I would rather spend the money on phones than on speakers. I have a decent speaker set up that I enjoy (magnepan tympani 1-Ds), but I like listening to headphones more. I have heard truly great speaker set ups in perfect rooms at audio dealers and I still like the intimate feeling of phones more.
The other thing that gets to me about speakers is pure logistics. Positioning them and worrying about damping, wall coverings etc is just a lot to deal with. Plus, it takes a lot of room. Many live in apartments or smaller spaces where it isn't practical to dedicate that much room to listening, or where neighbors must be considered.
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