What’s the Sweet Spot price point wise in your audio journey?

Always just slightly more than I can afford! 

Probably like many of you, I have upgraded my system over the years, buying used, buying new, and selling or trading-in old units. How much have I spent over my fairly long lifetime? Okay, so I guess we can all sweep that under the rug because I have no idea.

With a new VPI turntable, used Pass Labs phono preamp, used Pass Labs preamp, a free Hovland Radia Amp, new Sonus Faber speakers, and new Moon streamer, my system as it stands is kind of around $50K. And it sounds very, very good. 

Would I put more money into it if I had the money (and no wife/accountant)? I would upgrade the Sonus Faber speakers to more expensive ones. The Hoveland Radia Amp (Hoveland has been out of business for about 20 years) I think I would keep. It's such a good amp, and I've never heard another that can do what it does, i.e. make solid state have the softness of tubes, with a great soundstage. I might try a high-priced cartridge ($3K +).  Otherwise, I'm pretty damned satisfied. 

Of course, how many times have I said that in the past?

I believe that the retail cost of my HiFi would be around $65,000.00 but I didn’t pay that much. Nearly every time I want to buy something, I haggle for a discount. It seems like the more I spend, the more I save. My binky would be my power amplifier. I bought it through the US distributor for 30% off the retail price. 

@goofyfoot “The more l spend, the more l save”

l don’t think that is possible in the true meaning of saving.
 

Every time you get a discount you achieve more value for money, not saving.
Mathematically, the more times you spend, the less surplus £$€ you can potentially save, accumulate in savings.

@mylogic Rather, the more I save on the cost of the item,