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

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,

@goofyfoot 

You just nailed it!  
 

The harder the times, the higher the buying power should be. There’s plenty of margin in the mark up of luxury items. The prices demanded more often depends on the restraints some manufacturers put on the dealer market place. Protectionism and price maintenance by brand names are directly at odds with fair competition.

Exclusivity + no competition = higher prices

Collusion (price maintenance) is rife between “brand” and “dealership” retailers, who both love to keep their sweet spots as high as possible.