What is your hifi system worth ? (retail price, and NOT what you paid for)

[audio amateur]

Thiel CS2.3 € 5 250 = 8 241.975 US$

If that's true, we really get raped by prices here, cause those retailed for 3.6K in the US

[OzzieAudiophile]

Gday.

We in Australia are the kings of being shafted and ripped off.

Here's an example of prices I just got from the official Monster cable site.

Absolute lowest of their entire range :

I100-1M 102045-00 $9.95 pr.

Retail in Australia - $55 US dollars.

No that is not a misprint.

It is said, if it's Monster, it's not allowed to sold under $60 Australian. Ok, the video
1 meter cable you can get for a low $50 Australian.

The retail on the US - 1 m. piece - 3.28 ft. SV1R-1M 102025-00 $9.95 ea.

We have 10% of the complete range of what Europe and the US has in brands,
and range of component models, including cables. We have to pay 4 to 10x more.

So stop your whinging, leave it to the professionals (us) lol.

[bfalls]

Legacy System
Legacy Focus Mains $6500
Legacy Silver Screen Center 1700
T&A P-30 rear surrounds 1900
Sony STR-DA3500ES 1800
Sony KDL52XBR5 LCD 5000
Sony PS3 600
Toshiba HD-DVD 230
Yamaha M-65 (biamp Focus) 800
Dishnetwork Vip622 600
Bello TV stand 300
Monster 3500MKII Power cond 400
Cables 1500
$21,330

Klipsch System
KG4 Mains 615
KLF-C7 center 500
KV3 (alt center) 400
RS3 surrounds (two pair) 800
SW8 450
Pioneer Combo player 1000
Sony SACD player 300
ACI Saturn sub 700
Marantz M-700 amp(2) 500
Hitachi 57S715 HD TV 2300
Cables, power cond 400
Denon AVR-3300 1000
$8965

Misc
Blueroom Minipods (2 pair) 650
NAD 603 Multi-ch amp 400
Lexicon CP1+ 1695
2 Mcintosh 40 AMP 700
BRE signal processor 250
Yamaha RX-V2095 1500
Yamaha MX-35 amp 350
Optimus Pro LX5 speakres (5) 450
Audio control octave 150
Phase-coupled activator 200
Sencore Video calibrator (P403) 5500
misc cables 1000
Sony KDL36XBR250 2500
15,345

Total $45,640

[basite]

If that's true, we really get raped by prices here, cause those retailed for 3.6K in the US

it is true...

seen the Mc's price?

take a new MA6300 for example, in the USA it retails for 3000, maybe 3500 or so, here in europe, it goes for €4250, that's 6 672.075 US$ (at the moment).

You know, you could buy a MA6900 amp for that (their ex-totl integrated, recently the MA7000 took the crown), and still have well over a grand left to spend on other things...

see how we're being screwed?

not only with exotic brands you know, a parasound Halo A23 retails for $850 or so, well, here in Belgium, it goes for €1200...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

[audio amateur]

That's why we need to buy local stuff, at least we'll get less raped..
And even you Yanks don't get raped on euro stuff.. what the heck?

[Ajani]

That's why we need to buy local stuff, at least we'll get less raped..
And even you Yanks don't get raped on euro stuff.. what the heck?

That is a major advantage of buying local gear.... no need to pay ridanculous prices. The US/Canada often get equally screwed on the prices of some European brands.

[Feanor]

it is true...

seen the Mc's price?

take a new MA6300 for example, in the USA it retails for 3000, maybe 3500 or so, here in europe, it goes for €4250, that's 6 672.075 US$ (at the moment).

You know, you could buy a MA6900 amp for that (their ex-totl integrated, recently the MA7000 took the crown), and still have well over a grand left to spend on other things...

see how we're being screwed?

not only with exotic brands you know, a parasound Halo A23 retails for $850 or so, well, here in Belgium, it goes for €1200...

Keep them spinning,
Bert.

Although Mac price in Canada are closer to US prices than the European prices, but Canadian Parasound prices are closer to the European. That is, in Canada Parasound cost almost twice as much as in the US, (when I last ckecked). Go to US online retailer, Audio Advisor, (for example), and try to buy a Parasound to be shipped to Canada: "no-can-do" they tell you, because of agreements with the manufacture.

What happens is the US-based manufacture signs argeements with distributors in foreign countries, e.g. Canada. Typically these distribution agreement grant the foreign distributor exclusive rights to distribute in that country. Effectively these distributors are monopolists who get to decide the local MSRP and who the retailers will be. (The distributors role might include getting local government approval for electrical standards and setting a local repair service. These aren't that a big deal for well-established distributors; their main task is really marketing.)

Mindless greed usually triumphs. The foreign distributor typically isn't interested in creating volume or expanding the market for the product; rather they expect the product to "sell itself" based on its world-wide prestige. Ergo, they see it as in their interest to set the price as high as possible. They see their distributorship as a right to print money.

[Brett A]

I only have one system. It's two channel. I have a couple thimgs that are vintage. Makes it hard to price them, so I went with current market ballpark figure.


Rotel RCD 1070 $700
Audioquest NRG-2 AC cord $100
Siltech New York Interconnects $250
Shanling A3000 integrated $1600
Signal Cable Magic Power AC cord $80
Speaker Cable $15
Pioneer PL-550 ~$150 now-a-days
AT 440 MLA cartridge $140
NAD 3020 integrated used as phono amp. ~ $125 now-a-days
Custom House IC’s $30
ATS Acoustic Panels (I consider these an important part of my system) $150
Grado SR-60 headphones $70
B&W 683 floorstanders $1300

Total: $4710
Paid: $3390

[Glen B]

Two-channel system:

Classé CA-300 amp: $4,250
Classé CP-50 preamp with optional phono stage: $3,190
Classé RC-1 remote interface: $500
Marantz Reference SA-11S1 SACD player: $3,500
PSB Stratus Gold i speakers: $2,699
DIY balanced power conditioner (parts cost): $1,600
Denon DP-59L TT and AT-OC9 cartridge: $1,150
Acoustic Zen interconnects, power cords and speaker cables: $5,157

Total: $22,046

[GMichael]

Hmmm... I'll play. But only if no one shows these totals to my wife.

System one:

Sanyo Z-4 HD projector............................3000 (paid 2000)
106" fixed screen.......................................350 (Free with projector)
Toshiba HD-A2..........................................200 (paid 100)
Sony PS3 80GB Blu-Ray & SACD..............500
Yamaha RX-V2500...................................1100 (paid 900)
JVC DR-MX1 Hard Drive/DVD/VHS..............500
Yamaha CDR-HD1300................................800 (paid 350)
Strata Mini's (in piano rosewood)...............2300 (paid 2000)
TITANIC MKIII 15" sub................................600 (paid 500)
C25 center............................................ ....300 (paid 100)
150 surounds & rear..................................600 (came free with the 360's that cost 600)

Total: $10,250 (paid 7550)

Bedroom system:

Sanyo Z-4 HD projector............................3000 (paid 2000)
92" powered screen...................................350 (free with projector)
HTR-5740 Part of a HTIB SYSTEM.............750 (free through on-line questionare offer)
JBL E20's for center, mains & rear..............200 (paid 40)
E10 surrounds......................................... .100
PS12 sub............................................... ..350

Total: 4750 (paid 2490)

Basement system:

Old 2 channel Pioneer receiver (80wpc).......300
4 DIY speakers.........................................3 00
Pioneer CD player.....................................150

Total: 750 (best sounding system in the house for music)

Grand total: 15,750 (actual money spent is about 10,790)

Assorted TT's cassett players and boom boxes left out.

[GMichael]

Two-channel system:

Classé CA-300 amp: $4,250
Classé CP-50 preamp with optional phono stage: $3,190
Classé RC-1 remote interface: $500
Marantz Reference SA-11S1 SACD player: $3,500
PSB Stratus Gold i speakers: $2,699
DIY balanced power conditioner (parts cost): $1,600
Denon DP-59L TT and AT-OC9 cartridge: $1,150
Acoustic Zen interconnects, power cords and speaker cables: $5,157

Total: $22,046

Me like list. Uhg.. Grunt...

[Ajani]

My Setup before I migrated and got married (that I was about to Upgrade):

Main System -

Rotel RC-1070 Pre-Amp $500
Rotel RB-1080 Power Amp $1,000
Mission V63 Floorstanders $1,500
Marantz CD5001 $330
Mac Mini (Used solely as a music server) $800
Panasonic 52inch LCD Projection TV $2000
Panasonic DVD Player $100

Lying Around -
NAD C352 Integrated Amp - $600
NAD C520BEE CD Player $350

Total System Cost (excluding Cables and Logitech Remote) - $7,180


Current System (since migrating and getting married):

Megavox DVD Player $30
Philips Boombox $40
Panasonic Headphones $20

Total System Cost - $90

[GMichael]

Current System (since migrating and getting married):

Megavox DVD Player $30
Philips Boombox $40
Panasonic Headphones $20

Total System Cost - $90

I feel your pain. The only reason I still have my system is because I sold my Harley instead.

[Jim Clark]

Two-channel system:

Classé CA-300 amp: $4,250
Classé CP-50 preamp with optional phono stage: $3,190
Classé RC-1 remote interface: $500
Marantz Reference SA-11S1 SACD player: $3,500
PSB Stratus Gold i speakers: $2,699
DIY balanced power conditioner (parts cost): $1,600
Denon DP-59L TT and AT-OC9 cartridge: $1,150
Acoustic Zen interconnects, power cords and speaker cables: $5,157

Total: $22,046

Dood, I was gonna tell you that you were insane for putting that much into wires for this system. Then I came to my senses and realized that a) it's your money, your life, what do I care? and b) this is retail, not what you paid. Hopefully you didn't actually spend more for wires than you did on your speakers.

Regards,
jc

[E-Stat]

Main two channel - $62,000

Sound LAB U-1 $32,000
VTL MB-450s $12,000
GamuT CD-1 $ 4,000
VPI HW-1 $ 200
VPI Scout $ 900
VPI HW-16.5 $ 450 (forgot the RCM!)
Clearaudio TQ-1 $2,800
Dynavector DV20XH $600
Audio Research SP-9 MKIII $2,450
DIY Passive $ 400
DIY Room Treatments $1,200
Monster HTS-1000 $ 150
Cabling $5,300

Vintage audio - $6,660

Double New Advents $ 420
Threshold Stasis 3 $1,890
Manley Sigma Delta DAC $1,200
Pioneer PD-54 $ 600
Ariston RD-11s $ 600
SME 3009 II $ 200
Shure M97XE $ 100
Bellari VPI-129 $ 250
Pioneer TX-6200 tuner $ 150
Monster HTS-3500 $ 300
Cabling $ 950

HT - $7,445

Polk RTi38 $ 500
Polk CSi40 $ 300
RS Minimus 0.7 $ 100
Eosone RSP912 subs $1,200
NAD T763 $1,200
Behringer FBQ3120 $ 150
Oppo 971HD $ 200
Monster HTS-1000 $ 150
Cabling $ 500
Samsung HLN617W1 $2,995
Stand $ 150

I've purchased a number of components used. The U-1s were factory refurbished with new cores and electronics.

rw

[Jim Clark]

Some interesting things I've learned in this thread:

If you're not in a hifi friendly country, you'd best be very well off.

If you people are paying anywhere close to retail then you are a salesperson's wet dream. : ) OK, I paid retail for my Oppo but at 199 it was already a steal.

HT people have more expenses to cover, and on the audio side of things probably aren't getting as decent a music system despite investing more. (yep, that includes me)

People are all over the place as to what constitutes their system. TV stands and stereo racks included in the price really jacks up the price of the system. Undoubtedly true but not something I would have included at the start of the thread.

My own tally of the retail of my main system (HT/music) is almost 22K. I more proud of the fact that I didn't spend anywhere near that much so I'm not even gonna bother typing all that junk in. It only needs to impress me.

Regards,
jc

[OzzieAudiophile]

E-stat, nice set up there. Good range of brands of components.

Interesting to note that at least a few ppl around have also used Monster Cable.

Jim Clark - yes very easy for you to sit here and talk about "what you paid retail for this,
retail for that ?".

Like I am going to risk 5 to 10 K to save 1 K to purchase a component o/s, or
interstate, without first auditioning it !!. Besides, even if I could purchase it from the
official site o/s, they would have to build it to Australian standards, then I'll have to
pay in their currency, pay for all of the freight, it is pretty much likely to end up costing
the same.

Secondly certain retailers are the only official supppliers of specific products in
Australia (or a non US/Canada country). Yes you all can go on e-bay and haggle for
second hand gear. I just have a personal preference for brand new gear, and do not have
the money, nor the time to buy someone else's problems, and get it repaired.

There IS NO e-bay market for top-tier hifi components. I knew I wanted a pair of Dyn Audio speakers, and looked for a while on e-bay, pffttt 0 on the Australian ebay, and only the only
ones availalable o/s ebay were models below the one I was looking for.

Besides, I ended up getting a very good deal, so sweet, it is in my best interest not
reveal that.

Main reason being there is a shortage of places people could of purchased it brand new anyway. Plus if the gear is good enough, it wouldn't be on ebay or markets in the first
place

Oh yeah, what about "unwanted gifts ?" ? Hmmm I could not imagine not too many
folks outside the US, Canada, or Europe offloading a 10K component, if it's good enough,
it's a keeper (at least for a few years).

I don't know how many times I've said this before, and how many times some ppl are either
unable, or uneducated to listen, when you're sitting pretty in the US, Europe, or Canada,
you the freedom to bargain because you can pick and choose suppliers/shops/sources
to buy your components. For each hifi making company, there's only what, 10,000
suppliers all over the US.

If we need to buy a car ? Yes we do have the bargaining power to walk out, because
there's plenty of other car dealerships just down the road. Not quite the case with
hifi components (for a particular brand and model).

When you have the choice of one shop and none, your option to 'walk down the road to
buy elsewhere', is not so believable, considering they know which brands they have
exclusive rights to sell. I am not talking about NOT being able to haggle for price and
save money. I know how to do that.

Besides, it is NOT in the best interest of the more reputable top-tier hifi specialists
to try to rip off their customers (at least in Australia), because it is the long-term
business relationship they want to establish with their customer. I have been able to
walk in and be a pest, ask as many technicial questions as I can about specific brands,
and components. They freely give me their open-opinion, and have never made me feel
like I want to walk out, instead ask me to come back any time I wanted. I have not
overly abused it, but what is my business worth to them ? It's not just 1 power amp, it's
the pre-amp, the CD player, blu-ray player, headphones, the list goes on, of all the
other gear that I'm looking for. THAT is what they want.

There's a good reason why these hi-end hifi stores stay open for so long. They maintain
the business relationships with their clientel, good feedback can spread, but bad
feedback spreads like wildfire (especially with a small hifi country like Australia).

It's the shops that sell the low to mid range stuff that they can afford to lose your
business, because there are 1000's of shops like those, and they turn over more in a
week than most people make in a year.

I'm going to be realistic and say there would be no way I'd be able to get brand new
hi end equipment at 20%, 30% of retail price, as I'm sure a few of you guys will start
claiming to be able to, from the US, UK etc... I'd be able to get it for a decent price
lower than the retail.

Besides it would be too pricey, IF possible, and way too much trouble to purchase
gear from overseas, should warranty issues come up. Freight charges, insurance, plus
time without the component. The customer service component goes straight out of
the window. Not to mention I have to wait 1 week or more to receive it.

I'm not so fussed that I'm limited to choice, as I stated in other posts, that there are many
advantages of living/doing business in a smaller hifi product range country.

I'm sure at least most of you will agree, that if you're happy with your choice of
component but paid more than you should, is an easier pill to swallow than being
talked into buying a component you ended up being completely unhappy about, even
though you ended up saving more money in the short-term.

The most reputable hi-end stores don't need to talk sales jargon to make the sale, as if
your 2K purchase is going to make or break their company.

Good luck and congrats to everyone who ended up getting a good deal for their
stuff, I am one of those for the components which mattered the most. Just want to \
make sure all of us are clear we're all here to help each other make the best choice of
"what" component to buy.

I don't want this to end up as a sales course thread.

[ldgibson76]

Hello to All!

I've been reading this thread since it's inception. There are some very impressive systems listed.

My system is as follows:

Component
MSRP / What I Paid

Samsung HP-S5053 50" Plasma HDTV
2799.00 / 2499.00
Belkin PureAV AV24502 HDMI switcher
149.00 / 99.00
Marantz SR9300 AV Receiver
3199.00 / 1000.00
Cambridge Audio 640C v.2 CDP
649.00 / 519.00
Denon DVD2910 Universal Player
729.00 / 425.00
Philips CDR950 CD Recorder
499.00 / 199.00
Yamaha CDC 685 CD Changer
229.00 / 199.00
DLO Homedock iPOD Docking Station
99.00 / 79.00
Apple iPod 30GB
249.00 / 149.00
Panasonic DMP-BD30K BD Player (Newly Acquired)
499.00 / 399.00
Sony DVPNC555ES DVD Changer
699.00 / 268.00
Pioneer Elite DVR-7000 DVD Recorder
1899.00 / 450.00
Microsoft XBOX Gaming System
150.00 / 150.00
Panamax M5400-PM Pwr Ctr
799.00 / 450.00
Panamax MAX5100 Pwr Ctr
349.00 / 300.00
Panamax MAX2 Coax Surge Protector
69.00 / 69.00
Monster Cable SW200 Surge Protector
89.00 / 49.00
(2) Klipsch Reference RF35 Towers
499.00 ea. / 500.00
Klipsch Reference RC35 Center Ch.
349.00 / 150.00
(2) Klipsch Reference RS35 DiPoles
299.00 ea. / 300.00
Klipsch Reference RS25 Dipole
199.00 ea. / 100.00
Klipsch Reference RSW10 Pwr'd Sub
1195.00 / 600.00
Universal Remote MX850 Remote
399.00 / 150.00
Cables (AQ;Key Dig;Monster Mseries)
1500.00 est. / 1000.00 est.
Sennheiser HD535 Headphones
219.00 / 75.00

Sub Total: MSRP: $18611.00 / What I Paid: $10108.00

Regards!

I apologized for the format. I tried to adjust the layout, but I guess the site's parameters wouldn't allow the modifications.

[ldgibson76]

The Family room system is below:

Samsung TX-R3079WH SlimFit HDTV 30"
1199.00 / 789.00
Yamaha RX-V3000 AV Receiver
1999.00 / 699.00
Sony DVPNC875 DVD Changer
199.00 / 169.00
Marantz DV4500 CD/DVD Player
299.00 / 125.00
Sony Playstation 2
150.00 / 129.00
Toshiba M754 HiFi 6 head VCR
199.00 / 99.00
Panamax MAX4300 Pwr Ctr
249.00 / 199.00
(2) Polk Audio RTi70 Towers
449.00 ea. / 300.00
Polk Audio CS400i Ctr Channel
479.00 / 250.00
(2) Polk Audio FXi3
419.00 pr. / 300.00
Velodyne CHT12 Pwr'd Sub
499.00 / 248.00
Cables: BlueJeans;Monster MSeries;R/S Gold
400.00 est. / 300.00 est.

Sub Total: $6540.00 / $3607.00

Now for the Master Bedroom:

Samsung LN-S3251D 32" LCD HDTV
1799.00 / 1300.00
Denon AVR2801 AV Receiver
699.00 / 250.00
Pioneer DV-578A Universal Player
199.00 / 169.00
Klipsch Reference Cinema 8 Pkg w/RW10
1199.00 / 799.00
Cables: Monster Video3;MkII 300;Interlink
200.00 est / 200.00 est.


Sub Total: $4096.00 / $2718.00

[ldgibson76]

Hello Again

By no means does all this crap listed in my previous post make me an audio or video-phile! Basically, it means that I have purchased a lot of boxes on the cheap! Alot of this stuff was considered "floor models or discontinued. But, even then, most of the so called discontinued or floor model stuff was new in the box, but because of timing (end of the model year), were deemed floor models or discontinued.

I am an enthusiast!...I do love movies and music. Yes, finding a great deal is almost as good as the ownership experience in itself. And, yes, for the most part, most of this stuff is old technology. But I'm happy with what I've been able to achieve and no matter which system I listen to, my expectation is fulfilled within reason. There's always room for improvement which leads to this segway......

Now, I have not included the new "Paradigm Studio 100 speaker pkg", I purchased a few weeks ago. They are still in their respective boxes, and will not be used until I move into the new house in June of '08. That was a $4600.00 purchase. So in all, I'm sitting at the $35K mark. And I still want to buy either an SR9600 to replace the SR9300 or opt for a Multi-Channel amp (Sunfire preferrably). That will be another $2K!!!!!

MSRP: $29247.00 / What I paid: $16433.00

It never stops!

Regards!

[Jim Clark]

E-stat, nice set up there. Good range of brands of components.


Jim Clark - yes very easy for you to sit here and talk about "what you paid retail for this,
.

You could have read my first point and said, "yeah, you got that right" and been done with it. Sure would have saved you a lot of time and a whole lot of typing but whatever floats your boat. Must suck trying to buy certain gear wherever the L you are. That was pretty much the whole point. Sorry I wasn't clearer.

Wish I had the time to read your whole rant but half time is almost over and the basketball game is ready to start back up.

jc

[Glen B]

Dood, I was gonna tell you that you were insane for putting that much into wires for this system. Then I came to my senses and realized that a) it's your money, your life, what do I care? and b) this is retail, not what you paid. Hopefully you didn't actually spend more for wires than you did on your speakers.

Regards,
jc

Well you are right, its my money. I have been in this hobby for 40 years (while many here were still in diapers I'm sure). My choices have always been based on careful research and listening, not on anyone else's ideas or opinions of what my equipment investment ratios should be. The Acoustic Zen cable products are the best I've had in my system, purchased one piece at a time, with each choice bringing noticeable benefits. To me that is more important than considerations of cost and I believe my purchases are justified. BTW, a significant percentage of the cable cost is based on the fact that my speaker cables are a custom 25-foot pair ($1,900), length dictated by room layout.

[Mr Peabody]

Old angry dude, how do you like that McCormack?

BFalls, I had one of those Phase Coupled Activators before. I used it with a uniquely high end Kenwood integrated driving Infinity Kappa 7's. The PCA with those sealed 12's did some serious vibrations. We did a lot of pro audio and used the PCA for the crossover but most owners didn't realize that most pro audio speakers didn't play all that low and they'd turn that thing up thinking it would work like a sub or something and throw cones loose from the basket.

E-stat, comes out of the closet with the Polk!

[OzzieAudiophile]

Hey Jim.

Ok, apologies for the misunderstanding.

I just visited another dealer, who has the Cambridge Audio, which I have auditioned
elsewhere a year ago. It's pretty good, but will have to get some prices.

The 840 A and C for starters. Hmmm they're not bad, would need to probably pay
much more for not too much better.

It is clear a lot of you folks have paid some serious dollars, and/or managed to get
some very nice components/systems.

I have just spent 4 hours moving furniture around, and reorganising my CD, DVD, and
video collections :P I still need to disassemble my current cabinet so I can install
the new one that's being delivered tomorrow with my new LCD screen

Grrrr, would of been nice to have a day off for that.

I believe after today, all of my visual needs will be taken care of, apart from a Blue Ray
recorder with 1 TB hard drive (that will take probably about 2 years to be released).

[Ajani]

I just visited another dealer, who has the Cambridge Audio, which I have auditioned
elsewhere a year ago. It's pretty good, but will have to get some prices.

The 840 A and C for starters. Hmmm they're not bad, would need to probably pay
much more for not too much better.

I haven't tried the 840A/C combo, but with the amount of stellar reviews for that pair I'd say it's well worth auditioning (or re-auditioning).... and I believe the 840A has HT pass through mode so you can still keep your Yamaha and HT setup.