How can anyone afford this ?


I consider myself a dedicated audiophile. I am 36(which I am guessing is a little younger than the average here) and single. I have been interested in high-end audio since I saw my uncle's Mcintosh and Threshold equipment for the first time when I was 5.
Since joining the workforce and saving a little I have always been trying to put together a nice system on a budget. I do OK financially(I am a systems engineer) but I do live in NYC which may put some of this into perspective.
Over the last 6 months I have struggled to buy(all used on Agon) a pair of Dynaudio Audience 42s and a Threshold CAS2 amp, Chang CLS3200, and cables(I haven't gone out[I don't have a girfriend], purchased anything else and really haven't eaten too much to be able to afford these and it is still a real stretch). I am using the amp with a direct connection from my CD/DVD player(Cambridge Audo Azur 540D...slightly modified[op amps, PS caps, bypass caps] that I have had for almost 10 years). A fellow has a Threshold FET2 series II(to match with the CAS2) he is holding for me but that seems like a pipe dream at this point along with a turntable.
A few years ago the analogue bug hit me.
I had a setup consisting of an Audio Analogue Settanta integrated and a Nottingham Horizon SE turntable with a Rega RB300 tonearm with the Incognto rewire and structural mod. This was not an expensive kit by any stretch but for me it almost put me in the poor house. I had to sell the entire rig to pay my bills and it hurt.
It seems over the last 10 years or so I have not been able to keep a kit for more than 6 months before I had to sell it. Whenever I don't have a rig I am constantly scanning the online Ads lusting for the next bargain to set up a system and cannot even listen to music on a mass market rig(I have been spoiled).
Anyway, I guess my question is how can anyone normal afford this hobby? What type of money do you have to be making to be able to enjoy this hobby.....$100,000/year? $500,000/year? Do you need to be worth millions? $5,000 barely gets you in the door(some interconnects cost more) and you could possibly spend millions. I am not looking to put together a $10,000 system(not even close...and that is modest in this hobby) but if I wanted to I don't see it ever being financially possible. If I had a girlfriend or a family(hopefully someday) I would not event be able to think about this hobby with a good conscience. I guess I am wondering if all these people in this hobby are millionaires? I am close to selling my rig again to pay the bills(the amp needed repair/recap and that was $450). Any advice for an audiophile who lusts to put together a nice rig but can't afford it? Should I get out and save for 5 or 10 years and then try again? Maybe I am in the wrong hobby but it is more addicting that crack to me(and more expensive). Maybe I should be a crackhead instead...that might be the only thing to make me forget about it. Thoughts?
adamd1205

Showing 8 responses by inna

When you are back in SF you won't have this problem. Tell us later if I am right.
Yeah, Paul Stewart is not great at all. Edward Green would be about $1000, I guess. Anyway, I usually buy for at least half those prices on ebay.
I too was talking about Manhattan below 96th. In Brooklyn, in a good area, you can rent three bedroom for $1800.
But that's enough of this, let's continue about stereo.
$2k rent will get you a small decent place in Manhattan. But if you eat those $10 sandwiches five times a day or always use a cab to move around - that could be a problem.
Raquel, there is some nonsense in your post. You can get excellent Santoni shoes at their store for $450 plus tax, the same with Ferragamo. These are excellent brands. John Lobb will set you back for at least $1000,true.$2k rent will get you more than what you said. And even $5 sandwich can be great if you know where to buy.
On the other hand, $1 million usually does not buy what you said.
How much do you really know about NYC? Don't misinform people here.
Even $50k system put together within the span of fifteen years would not cost per month as much as many other things. Some manage to spend $1k/month on food alone. Setting priorities and discipline are important. Almost anyone can afford good sound, but not the best sound and not right away.
And most people who live in Manhattan don't even bother with cars regardless of income. When they want to drive somewhere they just rent it.
But, hey, Acura is better then Honda Accord, and Lexus is better than Toyota. Both feel like bucket compared to most BMWs.
Palasr, sex is no BS. And you can talk about it in a polite company. Just need to know how.