Who else here is frugal?

Spending not enough money usually results in more unhappiness than spending a bit too much. Of course spending way too much makes me unhappy as well.

I definitely consider myself frugal w.r.t. audio equipment, but frugal for 1 person is 1K, someone else 10K, and someone else 100K. I don't think I can say it better than almarg,

I try to make sure that it will provide me with commensurate value and commensurate enjoyment, over the long-term.

Like everyone else I get the upgrade bug, but I feel I have a firm foundation to build on, and don't feel like I am on a quest for nirvana. It is a happy audio place to be. I do find it is good to watch used prices. Buy used and sell used and you can upgrade regularly without extensive outlay.

Theif? :-)

asvjerry,

I don’t think anyone can take your post in a negative light. It was one of the most "honest" posts I have read in my limited time on these forums.

We sound like we are in similar places. Priority #1 being the business, both the daytime one that has allowed me to be deeply involved with many technologies that I find very interesting, not to mention all the people I have met, and the "night-time" hobby one of spending other people’s money on fun stuff.

I would call maintaining the families health also Priority #1, and a little bit of heaven on the water #3.

Spending other people’s money satisfies any "gotta have it" urges I may have. For my own stuff, these days, I am far more focused on what --I-- can do w.r.t. my audio system. I like nice things, but the ability to purchase "things", long stopped contributing any sense of self worth. Having a fellow audiophile positively comment on the sound of your system before knowing you designed and built a good portion of it yourself ..... you can’t put a price on that.

As there is no absolute measure of value in audio past a certain point, say about an arbitrary $20-25,000 system (not including the room), there is no relation between price and value. It is akin to a luxury purchase like jewellery, and unlike a car where even the most expensive can point out distinct and verifiable differences. Capitalism is great. It gives a way for people with less than they want, to legally "extract" money from people with more than they need. It's not perfect, but I will take that over the other options. Someone making a $170,000 set of power amplifiers probably has a net worth much lower than someone buying a $170,000 pair of amplifiers. This is a way to even things out and make 2 or more people happy in the process.