The High Price of Audio

Early B.
Early B. Posts: 7,900
edited April 2 in Clubhouse Archives
If you had to guess, how much money have you spent on audio gear and assorted accessories in the past 12 months?

Was it worth it?

Do you plan to spend more or less in the next 12 months?
HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

"God grooves with tubes."
Post edited by RyanC_Masimo on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
«1

Comments

  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    Shoulda made a poll.

    I have about $4000.00 spent in the last 12 months but I did alot of upgrades. The next 12 months don't look as playfull.

    Edit: Yes it was worth it.
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • ND13
    ND13 Posts: 7,601
    edited May 2006
    $3500-$4000 and mostly on pre-owned gear.

    Yes
    "SOME PEOPLE CALL ME MAURICE,
    CAUSE I SPEAK OF THE POMPITIOUS OF LOVE"
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • shack
    shack Posts: 11,154
    edited May 2006
    About $1,750 in the last 12 months. Less than half is currently being used. The rest may or may not be rotated into one of the rigs.

    Even the stuff not being used is good stuff so I guess it is worth it (and I'm keeping it at least for a while).

    What I spend in the future depends on what I decide I want....which right now is nothing...but that could change at any time.
    "Just because you’re offended doesn’t mean you’re right." - Ricky Gervais

    "For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible." - Stuart Chase

    "Consistency requires you to be as ignorant today as you were a year ago." - Bernard Berenson
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • crazy
    crazy Posts: 443
    edited May 2006
    Well, I recently purcahsed a full Polk Audio Monitor series HT setup along with an Onkyo receiver and Onkyo DVD player.

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39648&highlight=current+system

    I thought that was a lot till I put money down on this ...

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39145&highlight=time+upgrade

    Image --> http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=16109&d=1145994905

    How much did it all cost - A LOT!!!

    Was it worth it ... absolutely! I am suffering from buyer's remorse but I wouldn't trade my stereo setup for anything. I have been trying to get rid of my 5.1 setup but no local buyers so far. Maybe I'll need to think about shipping this suff.
    Distant Dream - A New Beginning
    www.distantdream.com
    (Now also available on iTunes)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Skynut
    Skynut Posts: 2,967
    edited May 2006
    I should mention that most of what I spent was on this forum.

    Thanks guys.:D
    Skynut
    SOPA® Founder
    The system Almost there
    DVD Onkyo DV-SP802
    Sunfire Theater Grand II
    Sherbourn 7/2100
    Panamax 5510 power conditioner (for electronics)
    2 PSAudio UPC-200 power conditioners (for amps)
    Front L/R RT3000p (Bi-Wired)
    Center CS1000p (Bi-Wired) (under the television)
    Center RT2000p's (Bi-Wired) (on each side of the television)
    Sur FX1000
    SVS ultra plus 2

    www.ShadetreesMachineShop.com
    Thanks for looking
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited May 2006
    I didn't do much buying in the last year; Denon 2910 ($699) and new IC's ($360). That's about it...
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited May 2006
    About 1500 of which about 1200 is going into an IB sub I am building. Hopefully soon, I will be able to make an insurance claim on my house for "earthquake" damage.:p
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2006
    $500- lsi9's
    $350- One more Adcom 555
    $500- Crown XLS power amp
    $450- Dodd ELP

    So that's $1800, plus some sub $200 purchases like needles, drivers for DIY projects, etc. Everything except for the XLS make up my 2 channel rig that's getting used all the time - when I'm not taking it apart to use one piece or another to tweak around with a DIY project.

    The XLS is currently unused, but I'm planning on using it for an IB sub once I get the attic finished in the new house (1.5 months till i move in, can't wait...) Or plan B: I dump the XLS and just buy an SVS. Anyone want to buy it?
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited May 2006
    kingkip wrote:
    About 1500 of which about 1200 is going into an IB sub I am building. Hopefully soon, I will be able to make an isurance claim on my house for "earthquake" damage.:p

    $1200 into an IB is going to be absolutely INSANE! You won't regret it. Mine only ran me $235 (bought everything used; 4 shivas and a 240w PE plate amp) and the performance is staggering.

    How much have I spent this year? Hmmm... I'm going to have to guess about $2000, of which $1000 I haven't even used yet :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Mazeroth
    Mazeroth Posts: 1,585
    edited May 2006
    unc2701 wrote:
    Or plan B: I dump the XLS and just buy an SVS. Anyone want to buy it?

    Do not join the Dark Side! The IB is your friend!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2006
    HK 635 = $650
    2 carvers basically free + B&K ST202 = $450 (shipped and all)
    Monitor speakers and sub = $900
    Wires and such = $200
    Looks like about $2200 audio (+$3000 on 2 TVs and 1 DVD Player for video)

    Depending if I continue to build a 2-channel rig (already have stereo amp for it), will need preamp ($250), SACD/Universal player ($300), speakers ($500+), and more interconnects. Looks like another $1000-$1500 or so this year.

    Most of the purchases were made at great prices, and, yes, I am overall happy with my gear. However, recently my spending has been much more liberal (B&K amp was impulse buy, for instance).
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • criverajr
    criverajr Posts: 1,675
    edited May 2006
    About 7500-10000 on 2 systems that;s about it for now.

    CRj
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited May 2006
    If I substract the stuff I sold, I spent about $1,000 net on a new set of speakers. Did a lot of downsizing in the past year -- sold all of my HT amps and most of my speakers for much cheaper ones so I could focus more resources on my 2-channel system.

    Hopefully, I won't spend a dime in the next 12 months (OK, maybe some tube rolling, etc.).
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • unc2701
    unc2701 Posts: 3,587
    edited May 2006
    kingkip wrote:
    About 1500 of which about 1200 is going into an IB sub I am building. Hopefully soon, I will be able to make an isurance claim on my house for "earthquake" damage.:p


    Got an amp to power that? want to buy a Crown XLS700? :)
    Gallo Ref 3.1 : Bryston 4b SST : Musical fidelity CD Pre : VPI HW-19
    Gallo Ref AV, Frankengallo Ref 3, LC60i : Bryston 9b SST : Meridian 565
    Jordan JX92s : MF X-T100 : Xray v8
    Backburner:Krell KAV-300i
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited May 2006
    Mostly "pre-owned" stuff. Phono pre, mono blocks and a secondary set of speakers. A few power cords and such too. About $9K of what I bought I kept. It was the best money I've spent in years. Now, if I can just find a job... :D

    madmax

    BTW, yes, I'm hopelessly hooked on this stuff.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited May 2006
    I have been in a listen mode with what I have. Perhaps by 3rd qtr I may pull the trigger on a VPI Scout.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited May 2006
    I'll ask my wife, she keps a running total on my audio expenditures :rolleyes:
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • michael_w
    michael_w Posts: 2,813
    edited May 2006
    Probably about $700 cdn.

    Built the diy atlas back in may 2005 for around $550 and then my nad c540 cd player a couple months later for ~$125. The Voigt pipes that I finished up a month or two ago cost me around $15 to build, but that bill should soon go up once I bondo and paint them. Haven't really even bought too many new cds. I usually pick mine up at garage sales for a buck or two each.

    In about a month it'll be over a year since I've made any big audio purchase... maybe time to step up and find myself a preamp? Not sure what I'll spend on one but I'm pretty sure it'll be in less than 12 months from now. It all depends on my financial situation with saving for post secondary and all...

    Oh and everything I've bought has absolutly been worth the money.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Midnite Mick
    Midnite Mick Posts: 1,591
    edited May 2006
    Just added it up.......approx. 11,400 Cdn taxes included since January

    In hindsite I probably would have done it differently. I would have focused on exceptional 2 channel and just got a flagship receiver for the HT part.

    Mike
    Modwright SWL 9.0 SE (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Consonance cd120T
    Consonance Cyber 800 tube monoblocks (6Sons Audio Thunderbird PC's with Oyaide 004 terminations)
    Usher CP 6311

    Phillips Pronto TS1000 Universal Remote
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • I-SIG
    I-SIG Posts: 2,243
    edited May 2006
    If the plasma counts, then ~$3500. If not, then $1100 on the SRS, although I do have my SDA-1C's SPF for $350 and a Carver M1.0-t will be coming on the market soon as well, so I guess I have to subtract those.

    Is $325 shipped on the Carver fair? I've been looking on the 'gon and eBay and they seem scarce these days for some reason.

    Wes
    Link: http://polkarmy.com/forums

    Sony 75" Bravia 4K | Polk Audio SDA-SRS's (w/RDO's & Vampire Posts) + SVS PC+ 25-31 | AudioQuest Granite (mids) + BWA Silver (highs) | Cary Audio CAD-200 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Rotel Michi P5 | Signal Cable Silver Resolution XLR's | Cambridge Audio azur 840C--Wadia 170i + iPod jammed w/ lossless audio--Oppo 970 | Pure|AV PF31d
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,746
    edited May 2006
    About 590 - Sold about..... 550 worth of stuff though, so technically only 40-50 bucks...
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2006
    $4,850 this year alone. Hope Q1 is not a quarterly average.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited May 2006
    I purposely do not keep track. I have spent a few shekels
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited May 2006
    about $1100 on speakers (well worth it)

    $2400 on a 50" hitachi. Nice improvement over my old tube tv, but alot of money. Kind of wish I would have waited for something different / better.

    Harmony remote control - $35 (very nice for a great price (used of course) well worth the snag)

    $130 or so on wires - maybe worth it, maybe not - but I have not worried about upgrading them since then so from a peace of mind standpoint probably worth it.

    Damn when you write it all down like that it really hits home. I was really hoping to spend about $1200 or so on a new preamp this year - but after admiting how much I recently spent - maybe I will cool it for this year and just listen. (then again - maybe I will get a decent bonus check this year.... :D)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited May 2006
    Last 12 months??? Geez! about.....7K. I need help.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited May 2006
    unc2701 wrote:
    Got an amp to power that? want to buy a Crown XLS700? :)

    I may, sent you a PM.:cool:
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kingkip
    kingkip Posts: 401
    edited May 2006
    Mazeroth wrote:
    $1200 into an IB is going to be absolutely INSANE! You won't regret it. Mine only ran me $235 (bought everything used; 4 shivas and a 240w PE plate amp) and the performance is staggering.

    Man I hope so. I am really excited to join the cult, hopefully I will have something done by the end of the week.

    If I can figure it out I'll post pics too:p
    There are two ways to argue with women. Both of them are wrong.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MattN03
    MattN03 Posts: 558
    edited May 2006
    Over double what I originally intended to spend! All I was going to get was a RM6900 system and then I found the Forums. :eek: I'm glad I did though, it has been worth it! :D And yes, I plan to spend more in the upcoming months. I'll be adding FXi5's, Signal Cable IC's, and possibly a Harmony remote. An amp for the RTi8's and CSi5 has also crossed my mind. Dang, ya'll are horrible!! :p
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • candyliquor35m
    candyliquor35m Posts: 2,267
    edited May 2006
    More than $3500 but I don't want to count any higher than that and now I have everything I want thank goodness. Good thread. I had no idea I spent that much :(
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Shizelbs
    Shizelbs Posts: 7,433
    edited May 2006
    I think around $2200.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter