What is the current retail cost of your reference system?

@sns I completely agree with your thoughts and am in (nearly) the same boat.

I also tend to think that while any of us spend tens of thousands we are also employing many many people.  And paying taxes.

The thing that sort of freaks me out and is way more "obscene conspicuous consumption" is the level of cars/suvs/trucks people buy in my area. 

I could go on but it would only serve to prove nothing...its just an opinion.

Regards,

barts

Retail for the main system $50.5K, and for the office & patio systems combined $4.1k.  However, I would never pay retail, this hobby way too expensive, far too fast, especially for those touched with OCD.  Most of my components were purchased from dealers, pre-owned as trade-in's, some from audiogon and USaudiomart, and some new. As described by @ghdprentice in other threads, I purchased components of similar quality after alot of research, trial and exchange. This way I was able to achieve a system with relatively good synergy. Only item lacking at the moment are my speakers which are due for an upgrade.  

Why is no one including the cost of their hard copy music? Probably equal to the price of my equipment. 

@dweller This is true, but the vast, vast majority of my vinyl was purchased when a typical album sold for between $3-$10, and many were gifted by people leaving vinyl behind.

About 150 % of what i paid, all used mostly for 1/2 price except for the CDP