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

[OzzieAudiophile]

Hello fellow audio-phreaks.

My other poll gave you the opportunity to express your passion to what kind(s) of
hifi systems you have set up in your home. Sorry I published ppl's choices, I will NOT do
that for this poll. You will be able to see the number result only, not who voted.

This one concentrates on how much pain, passion, dollars, you have paid in order to
take you to that journey you need to make. This is the TOTAL cost (retail price), of ALL
of the hifi systems in your home, as many as you actually have at home. Vote on what
your system(s) are worth shop retail price, NOT what you paid for.

Make sure you also add up all of your speaker cables, interconnects, speaker end plugs,
power surge protectors, UPSs, current regulator systems, sound dampeners, hifi/component
cabinets, LCD/Plasma, TVs, VCRs, BluRay players, HD boxes, DVR's, PVR's, surround
speakers, Subwoofers.

DO NOT add the value of your CD/DVD disc collections. I'm not interested in music media in
this poll.

Any set up over 5K, I'd be interested to know what it is, if it's in your profile, let me know,
to save space

This is NOT a contest, it's not a 'most expensive' wins. I'm purely curious as what it took
to make your listening experiences as pleasurable as possible.

My theory is you cannot put a number/price on audio happiness. However we do tend
to live in life, the same way as we journey through our audio listening experienced lives.
We upgrade once in a while, some more often than others. Technology demands some of
us to upgrade more often than we would of 10 years ago.

I'm willing to take a guess that the majority of folks would have a system worth about
5K. I would be interested to find how if that ends up being the case, or am I so totally
wrong ?

Any systems 10K or more, msg me personally. I want to understand which components
are your most expensive ones, why you made those choices, what would you also say
is the weakness in your system (if you have found any).

NOTE : If you found this poll a most useful "getting to know our other hifi breatherin"
excercise, your positive feedback is welcome.


Thankyou again.

[Luvin Da Blues]

Good question Ozziephile, I was wondering about a few members rigs also.

All prices USD and MSRP

Main System

Marsh p200b pre = $1500
Marsh a400s amp = $2500
psb Stratus GT-1 = $2000 ***will upgrade sometime soon
2-Infinity 10" subs = $700 ***will upgrade or delete sometime soon
Turntable = $1000
(complete with phono amp)
Misc ICs/spkr cbl = $400????

SubTotal = $8,100 (paid about $4500)

with 46" HDTV & HD receiver =$3,000

Total = $11,100 not including ext. soundcard and ext. HD for computer feed

Bedroom

Denon AVR2500 = $600??? bought used
Infinity Beta 20 = $500
Infinty TSS c&surr = $300??
Klipsch 8" sub = $250??
Cbls/wire = $100??

SubTotal = $1750

With 32" Phillips CRT = $700 new???

Total =$2450???

Misc unused gear

Sansui AU 6900 = $300???
HK TD302 tape = $700
Technics SPG350 CD= $250???

Total of all Entertainment Equip. = $14,800

A lot of the prices are an educated guesses so actual $$ may vary.
Anyone feel free to correct my prices.

[Bigmoney]

Ozzie, my system goes as follows

b and w dm 602 s3 speakers***- 650
rotel rc1070-500
rotel rb1080 power amp-1000
monster cable z2 speaker wire (bi wired)-100
blue jeans cable interconnects (2)- 70
marantz 3001 dvd player (as source)***200
cyberpower 1010ht linefilter+surge- 120
crystal acoustics 12 inch sub- 650
monster cable power cord- 50 (for amp)
I have a 26 inch panasonic lcd-750 which is separate from my 2 channel rig
I have created my own sound damping for my components by taking two mdf slabs and stacking them between rubber grip pads on each corner of the botom mdf slab to separate the two- total cost to DIY probably 30 bucks
I also custom built 4 fet by two feet by 4 inch deep sound panels of mineral wool- total cost 70 dollars.
total=4480
This is a two channel system
I have marked a star by the two components I will upgrade soon in the future. While my amp and preamp cost over double my speakers, this is not the norm, nor reccomended approach. My approach, because I will be going to college, is to upgrade my speakers once I am out of colege. I wouldn't want to lug large floorstanders into my dorm reason being. The speakers I intend to buy will most likely be atleast 2 grand. Also in the near future I will upgrade my source to either the rotel 1072-700 or the marantz 5001-300.
On a student budget my situation is a little different, but even with the weaknesses I have (speaker, source) I still thouroughly enjoy my system

[JohnMichael]

Interestingly I had to list my system and include replacement costs for my insurance agent. My main system totaled a little over $5,100. I do have $1,640 dollars in components that have been upgraded. What was surprising is most of the expense was in my turntable and modifications.

Rega Planar 2 $495.
Benz MC Gold cartridge $350.
RingMat record mat $ 90.
Incognito tonearm rewire $295.
Deep Groove subplatter $179.
Michell Technoweight $179.

Total $1,588

The table has replacement feet that were a gift but I do need to assign a value. They are great and I would not want to be without them.

The rest of my system is in my signature. The unused components due to upgrades are a Cambridge Audio 640A, Marantz CD5001, Ascend CBM 170SE, NHT SuperOne's, Sony cd changer recorder, Rotel RQ970 BX phono preamp.

Future upgrades will be the Exposure 2010S integrated amp and either the Musical Fidelity XLPS v8 or Simaudio Moon LP3 phono preamps.

[JohnMichael]

Interesting to read my old post. I still have the Rega ttable and the Sony cd recorder/changer. I still have the Marantz cd player but it is in storage being replaced by the Marantz SA8001. The Ascends also in storage were replaced by the OML1's which were replaced by the MA RS6's and then the MA's went to storage and the OML1's are back on the stands again. The Cambridge Audio 640A was replaced by the Onkyo A-9555 which is in storage replaced by the Krell S-300i. The Cambridge 640p and the Rotel 970 phono preamps are in storage and the Gram Amp 3 with improved power supply is my current favorite with my low output moving coil carts. I am currently enjoying the AT F7 phono cartridge bit also own a Grado Red, Ortofon OM 20 and the Benz MC Gold.

Interestingly I had to list my system and include replacement costs for my insurance agent. My main system totaled a little over $5,100. I do have $1,640 dollars in components that have been upgraded. What was surprising is most of the expense was in my turntable and modifications.

Rega Planar 2 $495.
Benz MC Gold cartridge $350.
RingMat record mat $ 90.
Incognito tonearm rewire $295.
Deep Groove subplatter $179.
Michell Technoweight $179.

Total $1,588

The table has replacement feet that were a gift but I do need to assign a value. They are great and I would not want to be without them.

The rest of my system is in my signature. The unused components due to upgrades are a Cambridge Audio 640A, Marantz CD5001, Ascend CBM 170SE, NHT SuperOne's, Sony cd changer recorder, Rotel RQ970 BX phono preamp.

Future upgrades will be the Exposure 2010S integrated amp and either the Musical Fidelity XLPS v8 or Simaudio Moon LP3 phono preamps.

[OzzieAudiophile]

Sounds like you guys made pretty much the most of the money you spent.

What I was suprised the most is how much I spent on interconnects, cables.

DynAudio Contour 1.8s - 6000
(Getting next week delivered) - Samsung LCD 40inch LA40M81BDX 2500
Yamaha AV Receiver RX-V1300 - 1700
Monster Interconnects, Video Cable, and speaker plugs - 1200 (at least 7 cables)
Monster Power Surge Protection, plus other Surge protection - 500
Pioneer DVR-640H (250 GB HDD) - 900
Panasonic DVD-F65 (connect via Optical) - 150
GH Pair of Floorstanding Speakers (as rears) - 200
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total $13150

IF I end up getting my dream McIntosh MC402 - 10000
IF I end up getting my dream McIntosh MCD201 - 6300
XLR cables - 550
Power regulator (keep constant 240V ) 1500

Total cost will then become 31,500 ! :P (yeah if I sell the house lol)

[basite]

here in europe?
well, I'll convert to US dollars, with the current exchange rates...

Mcintosh MA6400 € 4 500 = 7 064.55 US$
Thiel CS2.3 € 5 250 = 8 241.975 US$
Marantz CD5001OSE € 350 = 549.46500 US$
Luxman PD-282 ??? found it for free, it retailed for something like $350, back in 1976
Denon DL-103 € 180 = 282.58200 US$
Pro-ject Phonobox II € 99 = 155.4201 US$
Siltech MXT new york € 208 = 326.5392 US$
Kimber PBJ $87
Qed Qunex 3 $78 or so
Furutech powercable € 100 = 156.99 US$
Kimber 4VS (4m) €68 = 106.7532 US$


so that's $17399,2745 in total...

keep in mind the $ is pretty weak now compared to the €...

upgrades will be the sources, probably...
and the speaker cables.

Keep them spinning,
Bert

[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.

[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.

[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

[Ajani]

............
This one concentrates on how much pain, passion, dollars, you have paid in order to
take you to that journey you need to make.

.............

This is NOT a contest, it's not a 'most expensive' wins. I'm purely curious as what it took
to make your listening experiences as pleasurable as possible.

I know this is meant to be a fun thread and is really just to satisfy your curiosity, but I just wanted to emphasize one point:

The amount of money spent on your setup is not a meaningful measure of anything.

It is neither:

1) A measurement of someone's dedication or passion for audio: - If a multi-millionaire spends $200K on an impulse purchase of a HT, does that mean he has more passion for audio than the college student who saved, researched and auditioned for 2 years to buy a $1K setup?

Nor

2) A reflection of audio knowledge and experience: - Using the same example as above; the multi-millionaire might not even know how to power up his setup, while that same college student might know every feature on the millionaire's setup and be able to take it apart and rebuild it (with enough time and tools).

All that said, once I get my new system setup I'll revisit this thread and vote in the poll.

[tony_abreu]

Ajani,
I agree with you to a certain level. But how many multi millionaire are reading these threads. Like you mentioned they spend the money without objection. On the other hand, I have to make sure that my hard earned dollars go along way, and I don't have a dollar tree in my backyard, therefore the money that I spend is a reflection of my passion.

Regards,

[Ajani]

Ajani,
I agree with you to a certain level. But how many multi millionaire are reading these threads. Like you mentioned they spend the money without objection. On the other hand, I have to make sure that my hard earned dollars go along way, and I don't have a dollar tree in my backyard, therefore the money that I spend is a reflection of my passion.

Regards,

Yes and no. The problem still lies with trying to compare money spent. Even assuming that neither you nor I are millionaires; If you spent $5K on your setup and I spent $10K, does that mean I am more passionate about audio than you? Just because I frequent this board and spend $10K on a setup doesn't actually tell you how passionate I am about the hobby... I could just make far far far more money than you do (or just have far less expenses) and thus am able to spend more on audio. I still don't think money is a really good measure of anything in our hobby.

[tony_abreu]

You bring a good point. If you have more earning power, definitely you will spend more. But for me as an individual, the money that I spend is a reflection of how strong my passion is for this hobby. Many fights with the wifey on priorities, will reassure this in my case.

Regards,

[Ajani]

You bring a good point. If you have more earning power, definitely you will spend more. But for me as an individual, the money that I spend is a reflection of how strong my passion is for this hobby. Many fights with the wifey on priorities, will reassure this in my case.
Regards,

LOL.... I'm in the same position.... nothing more challenging than trying to convince the wife that rebuilding my stereo is a MAJOR priority. Telling her that the first thing I did when I was single and moved out of my parents house was to buy a bed and a stereo. That I didn't buy a TV, Sofa or even bar stools untill months later, somehow doesn't seem to impress her

[Feanor]

Well, OK ... my stereo system: approximate original US$ prices, or actual price if higher:

• Technics SL-2 turntable & tonearm: $300
• Denon DL-110 cartridge: $150
• TCC TC-750 phono preamp: $60
• HP computer, P4, 512MB RAM + monitor, keyboard, mouse: $900
• Denon TU-767 tuner: $300
• Sony SCD-CE775 SACD player: $600
• M-Audio Audiophile USB external sound card: $200
• Assemblage DAC 1.5 + Parts Connexion mods: $1000
• Sonic Frontiers LINE 1 tube preamp: $2500
• Replacement tubes for above, Ampex 'PQ' and Siemens: $260
• Monarchy SM-70 Pro amps, pair: $1960
• Magneplanar MG 1.6QR speakers: $1900
• PSB Subsonic 5 subwoofer: $500
• Assorted interconnects, mostly Blues Jeans: $400
• Monster/Parts Express speaker cables: $60

Total $11,340, and heck of a cost effective system at that. I bought quite a few of the above used, mostly much less than indicated. The Monarchys were, ummm, let's say, "factory seconds" direct from Monarchy Audio for half MSRP.

[blackraven]

Magnepan QR1.6= $1800
Adcom GFR-700 AVR= $2,000 (Paid $1100 for Refubished Unit)
CA 840c CDP= $1500
Velodyne sub= $350
Denon DVDP= $300
Sony BluRay= $400 (Free with TV)
B&W LCR3 center channel speaker= $200
Monster and AudioQuest Cables and IC's= $900 (paid $250)
Power conditioner= $100
Sony 52" XBR4 LCD TV= $4000 (paid $2900)
Solid Cherry 3 piece entertainment cabinet= $5,000
JVC VCR= $300

Total= $16,400
Minus the $5K cabinet= $11,800 for equipment only

[OzzieAudiophile]

Hi peeps.

Thanks for your descriptions of your systems.

It appears that I was wrong, so far from the results, there has been more voters that
have systems between 10 and 20K. However I'd probably take this poll results more to
heart when there's about 50+ votes.

Yeah spending power is always going to be a decider, however there's always the option
to wait 3 to 6 months if it means you can get something that you'll end up being a lot
happier about.

I realise that Australia pay 6 to 8 times more for cables/interconnects than the US

I hate retail lol.

From now on, all cables will be purchased off the official website.

[aevans]

Main System:
Kinergetics KBA-75 platinum Amp - $3000
Kinergetics KBA-75 platinum Amp - $3000
Kinergetics KPA-2 platinum Pre Amp - $3000
Denon Universal Player - $500
Radioshack interconnects/cables - $400
Burson Audio Buffer - $500
DIY speakers that I designed (madisound did the crossovers) - $750
Speakers Stands - $80
Selah Audio Galena's http://www.selahaudio.com/id146.html - $1600 under construction
Total Retail: $12830

Junk left over from previous years:
JVC CDplayer from 1990 - $120
JVC 1024bk 5.1 receiver - $650
NHT Super One XU - $360
NHT Super Center - $300
Kinergetics KBA-75 platinum Amp THX Certified - $3000
Total Retail: $4430

Baby's room:
Logitech 5.1 system - $120
Sony DVD/MP3 player - $250
Total Retail: $370

TV Stuff:
Sony Wega 27 inch HDTV - $500
Apex DVD player - $40
Total Retail: $540

Grand Total Retail: $18170
What I actually paid: $6300

[OzzieAudiophile]

Gday aevans.

Talk about saving some money haha.

Ajani.

Whatever you have to justify for a new expense, you can bring up the point in terms of
how many hours/days a week you would be using it. For example, it is easier to convince
someone to buy a new bed because one sleeps around 1/4 to 1/3 of their life sleeping.
So 6 to 9 hours a day sleeping, it would get regular use.

A car that one may drive 15 minutes a day, which may be much more expensive ?
Maybe harder to justify.

Hifi, well is it one of those things that you get and use a lot for the first few weeks, then
use it once a blue moon ? Probably not that practical. Of course we know that is not
going to be the case for us phreaks on here. If you know you will be using the unit(s)
a LOT ? Then you have more to argue about.

[Mr Peabody]

I should have read before I voted, I put just the price of my 2 channel set up without cables.

Some of the other stuff I have around not shown in my sig.

Adcom gtp-450, gfa-5500, gfa-5400
Dynaudio Audience 60's & 40's
Conrad Johnson solid state DAC / Denon cdp as transport
Sansui au9500 / Yamaha 5 disc changer
Sharp 26" LCD HD & Sony 30" widescreen HD
Krell kav-500i
Luxman am/fm receiver
Kenwood ax9 integrated / AR bookshelf spkrs
Musical Fidelity X-can headphone amp
Sennheiser HD-600, 580, a pair of cordless and portables

That lot is probably some where around $14k
I'd guess the stuff in my signature would total around $32k. That may be conservative since I am not about to account for each and every cable

I wonder where Florian would fall into.

[oaqm]

Main System
Sony XBR50 - $3500
AVA 550 - $2200
Outlaw M2200 (x3) - $921
McCormack MAP-1 - $2400
Magneplanar 1.6 - $1800
Magneplanar SMGc - $900
Magneplanar MGCC1 - $800
Rotel RCD 965BX - $600
Marantz DV6600 - $500
Mirage MS12 - $650
DIY Rack for bigass TV - $150
Cables/Wires - Who knows?

Bedroom System
Panasonic TAU - $500
Rotel RSX 1055 - $1300
JVC XV-S500BK - $250
"Compu-Clair" - $700 (a DIY project involving an overpriced Clarion head unit being driven by a PC power supply and then hooked up via the preouts into the Rotel)
DIY Speakers - $300 (the left one worked better before I put my foot through the cabinet)
DIY Rack - $50
Cables/Wires - Who knows?

Obviously, I need mo' stuff.