Have to laugh at the premise; most "filthy sinking rich" people do not get filthy stinking rich by wasting prodigious amounts of money on depreciating items like stereos. If money were no object, I likely would spend not much more than I do now on audio equipment. There are many more advantageous pursuits in life, such as travelling, which are more rewarding than planting one's butt in front of speakers.
Most net worth millionaires got to be that way by conservative lifestyles, not extravagance. I recall reading in The Millionaire Next Door that a sumptuous spread was put out for net worth millionaires as they were going to be interviewed - caviar, champaign, etc. They didn't touch it. When asked why, they said, "I don't eat that stuff at home, why should I eat it now?"
Which would you rather be, a poor sap with major credit card debt and home equity debt, or the fiscally secure investor/conservative person who has a pissy rig? By the way, the poor sap with financial issues is more likely to have relational issues as well...
Glam systems (as well as other material indulgences) can come at a horribly high price.
Don't get me wrong. I love audio and the equipment, but I find daydreaming about wasting money I do not have while paying a mortgage, saving for a (quite probably phantom) retirement, and putting kids through school to be of little benefit.
I never was good at daydreaming. Seemed a huge waste of time. I'd much rather stay focused on attainable goals and see what comes of it. That's when opportunities happen.
