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One year down, two to go. What's the longest you have saved for one component?

I've just reached my first anniversary. One year of my payment plan down, two to go.
What's the longest you have saved for an individual component? 

My beloved Boulder 2060 has had a troubled existence. A previous owner's partner had spilt (poured?) a drink over it, leading to some recurring issues and two visits to Boulder UK. But i found i could leave it powered up and it ran just fine. On the second visit Boulder had rebuilt it with many components from 2160, including the main board, which gave a significant increase in quality ; it was as if my room had been treated,  with all the hard surfaces softened and such wonderful texture. I was in bliss

So my cat had adopted it as a warm perch, despite my best efforts including adding spike strips designed to keep birds off buildings,  Samira found a way to conform to the gaps i had left above the vents. Then one day i fed the cats, then set out hillwalking with my dogs. Returned to find my amp in shutdown mode, a funny smell, and blown sub bass drive unit on one of my Stella Utopia.....and a trail of dried cat vomit on top of my amp, across the air vents

So one dead amp. Pit of depression.
Then Boulder took pity on me. My amp had been such a problem child they felt badly toward me, and it was now beyond repair. Then they made me an offer I couldn't refuse on a new 2160.
I did still procrastinate for a couple of months, it was still a huge sum of money. Then after considering my other options to be unpalatable, i committed to the purchase; half my income after housing costs, every month for three years

So, one year down, two to go
What's the longest you've ever saved, and what was the component? 
gavman
bob540
443 posts
 
I believe in that old saying, “One person’s ceiling is another’s basement”.  I worked in a low-paying profession for 37 years, lost a house in the divorce, put my son through college.   I’m now retired, so I have even less monthly income.  I am frugal by necessity, so I find it interesting to read that some members here own $10,000 speakers or a $20,000 amp, while my whole system now cost me about $7,000.  

In addition to limited income, I have other priorities in my life that cost money.  I have not gone into debt with any of my audio purchases, and I prefer to pay cash or wait and save up.  I think I have to take what money I have and seek balance amongst the priorities — and one can never know ahead of time when sudden health expenses will appear.  Others have more money and different priorities, so more power to them if it makes them happy.  

Gasman, I’m glad you are enjoying your new amp and system — the thing that surprises me the most is your charitable feelings toward your cat.  I’m not a pet owner, but if my pet caused that kind of damage I would be highly upset and banish the critter from my listening room.  It can go lay on a heating vent instead.  Take care.
cd318
2,636 posts
 
@skip0327,

’Linn Sondek LP-12 since 1985.’


I almost fell into the same trap back in the 1980s.

The damned price kept going almost season by season.

Eventually after 3/4 years of this I bought one used and got it updated.

Not sure how much I saved by buying used, the costs racked up pretty quickly, but at least I finally got off the saving up/waiting train.
douglas_schroeder
3,353 posts
 
gavman, so, you're doing all this for exercise?  ;)

What an interesting situation, and obviously unique one at that! You are in the rare position of doing what you described without endangering your livelihood, it seems. It is fascinating to hear about audiophiles' personal lives; they are as varied and complex, with as many nuances as the systems they build. It's also interesting to see how personal experience and preference plays into the build process, as a search for a particular outcome. 

I do know of at least one instance where a person was highly imbalanced in life and was spending inordinately on equipment, which caused a great deal of pain and trouble. But, you seem to be on a grand adventure, leveraging your strengths to achieve unusual outcomes. Kudos! 

bob540 is also to be commended, and looking at the fiscal challenges he has had, a $7K+ system is quite an accomplishment! It's a definite labor of love, and I hope you enjoy it thoroughly! Contentment makes one happy, not money.  :) 
gavman's avatar
gavman OP
157 posts
 
Thank you Douglas.
I would never claim to have a balanced lifestyle, or one that would work for most people. But it suits me and i am tremendously content.

I do have an outstanding ambition. There is a seismic survey station perhaps 8 miles up the valley, and i have yet to recieve a noise complaint from them.
Perhaps my speakers are isolated too well?
Not sure what I’m doing wrong. I guess i just lack commitment ☺

audioguy85's avatar
audioguy85
2,049 posts
 
Debt does not necessarily mean interest! For example music direct often runs a promo with synchrony card, 36 months interest free/equal payments. My citi card linked to amazon offers 24 months/equal payments, no interest. Pay pal credit, the same, equal payments 24 months @zero interest. This is exactly how I have what I do have today. I wait until whatever it is is paid off, then I repeat....I am pretty much done now, I think.....
Also, if you can rid yourself of gear envy...you can assemble a fantastic system for not a lot of money. There are many budget components that perform as well as gear three times the cost. You must do your research and carefully match the choices to make it all work. 
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