Would you increase your audio budget if you weren't funding other hobbies?

Now that I'm older and retired, I took a long look at my hobbies and did some major downsizing. I raised and bred tropical fish for years, having as many as 20 aquariums going. I'm also a starving artist so I was working on my art. My wife and I worked full time and raised five kids so money and time were tight. I loved my record collection, but I ended up selling off a large part of it and I just had a budget stereo system.

As I headed into retirement, I found I had 3 herniated discs in my back so the days of heavy lifting were over. I decided to give up the aquarium hobby and concentrate on the other two, art and music. I'm in the process of making an art studio in my basement and I have my music room upstairs in a spare bedroom.

Thanks to all the great info on AK (my third hobby) I was able to upgrade my stereo system and furnish my music room for under $300.00. I sell records, etc. on the Bay and a portion goes towards my music needs and the rest goes to the family budget. I trade, barter and have connections from years at the flea market so I end up spending a very small amount on my hobby. My system is mid-fi, but I love how it sounds and I'm very happy with the results.
 
What other hobbies? :)

My only real hobby, besides music, is reading. I purchase used books, so I don't really have to steal from my audio addiction.
 
Not going to give up my other hobbies. See my avitar. This (audio) is the hobby I would give up for that.
 
A friend of mine said he spent his money on whisky, women and motorcycles and the rest he just wasted…I like the way he thinks! I don't really have a budget but my interests are narrow. I do all my own mechanical work and are slowly working on being able to do some electrical work on the equipment. I like vintage things so the cost of acquiring them is minimal. A few pic's of the toys.
 

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I don't think I answered the question. I would not increase the budget, I'm very happy with what I have. Equipment, cars, motorcycles and golf equipment. Just buying media to listen to.
 
The audio hobby is probably the least expensive of things I use for diversion. But that doesn't mean it is the least appreciated. I perceive that at this point, with what I have and my satisfaction with it, that I am near a threshold of diminishing returns. I may be wrong about that, but being where I am in the field of possibilities on Thanksgiving really isn't so bad.:thmbsp:
 
Actually, I don't even consider my playback systems a hobby. In addition to photography, my hobbies are on the front end (creating and recording music) and the back end (listening.) That's why I don't have the time, attention or money to do more with the playback systems, since they do what I need to support those priorities.

Otto
 
I'm fortunate to have spent little on audio and have turned my previous hobbies into a lean but hugely enriching living that is growing these days. Gear wise? I'm absolutely enjoying what all I have now,still learning about it....don't want "more" except to find "good homes" to shrink into a few (very few) I still want to own.

I'm full up on wanting another hobby.....interests though? That will never die and learning to maximize those better these days it seems.
 
I'm not sure anything would change as all my hobbies have always been underfunded, and it's become a challenge just to be able to participate.

Probably my most expensive Non-Audio hobby is Boatbuilding, which I haven't messed around with for several years due to "distractions" and some health issues. I've been doing some Design Imagineering for both a catamaran and a trimaran design. The goal for both is low-budget, very light weight and maximum speed potental on all points of sail under light wind and wave conditions. Without getting into this too deeply, a catamaran with the design elements that I've described is quite a bit different than a "Beach Cat" such as a Hobie.

Best Regards,
TerryO
 
iplagolf said:
A friend of mine said he spent his money on whisky, women and motorcycles and the rest he just wasted…I like the way he thinks! I don't really have a budget but my interests are narrow. I do all my own mechanical work and are slowly working on being able to do some electrical work on the equipment. I like vintage things so the cost of acquiring them is minimal. A few pic's of the toys.
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Stick a GM LS v8 in that 944!
 
Bigerik said:
Ewwwwwwwwww.
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Oh please....a car like that deserves a hell of a lot more than the base powerplant that was like what, 160 HP or something. One of my customers builds headers for the conversion....that's a hot little ride with real grunt under the hood!
 
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tomlinmgt said:
Oh please....a car like that deserves a hell of a lot more than the base powerplant that was like what, 160 HP or something. One of my customer's builds headers for the conversion....that's a hot little ride with real grunt under the hood!
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Stock, it was one of the best balanced sports cars ever made. My 944S was an absolute joy in every way (except repair bills). Usually, mods like this do not end up making a better all around car. A faster one? Sure. But a better one? Nope.
 
Bigerik said:
Stock, it was one of the best balanced sports cars ever made. My 944S was an absolute joy in every way (except repair bills). Usually, mods like this do not end up making a better all around car. A faster one? Sure. But a better one? Nope.
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You realize an all aluminum LS is slightly lighter than the stock power plant in the 944 turbo...don't you? Evidently those who have performed the conversion are ecstatic (according to my customers). The 944S was a great car, BTW.
 
Bigerik said:
Stock, it was one of the best balanced sports cars ever made. My 944S was an absolute joy in every way (except repair bills). Usually, mods like this do not end up making a better all around car. A faster one? Sure. But a better one? Nope.
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My parents have one of those sitting in the garage with a cover over it. They NEVER drive it. I may have to talk her out of it :D
 
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