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This hobby too expensive???

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nyaudio98

Active Member
I am having issues here with the amount of money is needed to listen to music in 2 channel stereo as an example. If it was mostly speakers it wouldn't be such an issue. But, cd players, buying music, amps, integ amps, stands for bookshelves, cables, and speaker wire..wow...so much to spend. I spend a good part of the day on internet and TV and those two cost next to nothing in relation...but this was simply a speaker purchase of 1000 to 1500 that now has a system I'm looking at close to 3 grand. Possibly a top system for close to 3800 dollars. I need a tube amp about 1300 and speaker connects/interconnects 300 or so, stands 300..I'm kinda disappointed. Why is there not a system that includes everything..without it being a HITB...this cost has me on the fence..it's just a very expensive purchase.
 
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Is there some reason that vintage is not attractive to you? I have pieced together not one, but several systems, from turntable to reel-to-reel to cassette, EQ, amp/receiver, and speakers, for under $50 total. I'm not the only one to have done it. I'm on a very limited budget, but I've got more than 300 CDs that I bought 5 for a dollar at a thrift store, and a couple thousand LPs that were obtained for free or at similar thrift store prices. I find it challenging to do more with less. I think my systems sound pretty good, too.
 
Impatience drives up the cost my friend, deals are everywhere, I can put together a 50w system for less than 100 bucks.
 
My two channel system:

Onkyo integrated amp - $100.
Onkyo CD player ------ $100.
EPi 100W speakers ---- $35.
New woofers, etc. ---- $60.
Spkr wire & interconnects$25
GRAND TOTAL $320.

Sounds good to me.

Oh, I forgot...
Dual 508 TT - free (guy couldn't fix it and didn't want to try)
Talisman cartridge $95.
 
A respectable system can be pieced together for an extremely small amount of money if you're patient and shop carefully. Used equipment obviously.....
 
Recapped harman/kardon pm655 integrated amp and tu915 tuner set. $320
Onkyo c7030 cd player. $180
Infinity Qb speakers. $68
Cables. $30
 
nyaudio98 said:
I need a tube amp about 1300 and speaker connects/interconnects 300 or so, stands 300..
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You can set your sights a bit lower and do quite well with a bit of effort and elbow grease.
Become a Subscriber and you'll find bargains in Barter Town for a fraction of those figures I've quoted above. $1300 would buy you quite a tube amp in BT..:yes:
 
djwhy60 said:
I think the "hobby" is like any other..it is as expensive as you want it to be.
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+2. I've been in this hobby since the age of 13, starting with an all-DIY setup (scratch built EL84 amp, DIY speakers, refurbished Collaro turntable, ceramic cartridge) financed by earnings from my newspaper route.
 
I don't know, sure I have spent some money but I find selling things when I am done with them to be much easier with audio, also has the best return on investment then any other hobby I have had. Hell now that I am thinking about it this is the first hobby I have had where I actually made money buying stuff then selling it. Most hobbies you just sink money in to and never get it back, sure your tv and internet bill per month is cheaper then the audio hobby but it is not like you can turn around sell the time you spent on the internet when you move on.

really if you think audio is an expensive hobby you should look at boats, or drag racing or guns. You could easily shoot off $3000 in ammo in an afternoon if you wanted to, again, you are never getting that money back. I wish I had some of the money back I spent on drag racing alcohol injected two stroke Yamaha banshees.
 
if you are looking for instant gratification well then it's going to cost you. however patience and time are bound to bring a deal your way sooner or later. and you could also put together a cheap good sounding system with the aid of a new T-amp, an old computer, or Ipod and some inexpensive new speakers. and don't get me started on the merits of lamp cord.. I have built several systems for less than $100!
 
Nobody ever said that its was going to be simple and cheap!:no:
Basically it all comes down to you. How expensive or cheap your willing to spend.
 
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It's a slippery slope.

I've already managed to double the investment in a kit tube amp, and I haven't even built it yet! <G>

You want cheap and easy, I just saw a Yorx all in one over on da bay. Even has an 8-track! $60 including S&H!

You want real quality, like anything else, it'll cost ya ...
 
My current main system came to not so much over $1,000 in total. If you include audio gear bought/improved/sold on the way up the path the end cost is far less than that. Patience and a bit of creative effort go a long way in this hobby, much more so that most others.
 
68custom said:
if you are looking for instant gratification well then it's going to cost you. however patience and time are bound to bring a deal your way sooner or later. and you could also put together a cheap good sounding system with the aid of a new T-amp, an old computer, or Ipod and some inexpensive new speakers. and don't get me started on the merits of lamp cord.. I have built several systems for less than $100!
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Patience is the key. I never spent more then $100 for any one item- many from 5 to $20. To me, it's part of the fun, doing more for less!
 
Well I have never been able to put together a complete system for $50:no::no:
But I have had some great stuff inexpensive....just some thrifty shopping and patience
 
As has been stated previously, patience (as well as luck) is the key. My first tube system cost me a grand total of $30. (A scott 222C integrated amp, Scott 350B tuner, Lenco TT and Wharfedale W60C speakers.). My instant gratification system cost me $3500. Just keep in mind that old or second hand does not necessarily mean crap. Set a budget and keep lurking on barter town, you won't be disappointed:thmbsp:
 
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My complete two system setup costs (S/H) 835 euros, or $1,092 US.
Average monthly salary where I live is $300 US.

I consider my spending to be modest. If you live in the US and have something under $5,000 US for a single system setup I don't think you spent enough to call it expensive.

Anything above 10K yes, but bellow 5K, no.
 
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