I highly recommend that any serious audiophile have at least one low cost secondary system. It just helps to keep things in perspective. The low cost system won't sound as good as the main system, but it will demonstrate the law of diminishing returns. If you want exceptional sound you'll have to pay big dollars. Good sound can be had for as low as a few hundred.
How many enjoy low $ second system sound?
To many my $10K system of Zu Essence and various amps of SET mono's, SET integrated, hybrid integrated etc. might be meager pickings but even the founder of ZU was impressed with the sonics provided. But I am amazed how satisfying it is to listen to my new Energy RC 10's at less then $300/pr. connected to a rare, $200 Adcom SS integrated streaming jazz through my iMac connected with RShack 3.5mm y-connectors from computer to amp. All bought for back ground music in the evening's or Saturdays when I don't want to fire the SET tube monoblocks and just want some sound. This little set up is really satisfying and I am amazed how nice it sounds each time I listen. So now the question - how much have I overspent through the years when I am so taken back by $500 worth of components? Get's one to thinking!!