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If you had to pay full retail, would you...???

I recently got the Music Direct catalog in the mail. Lots of cool gear, interesting tweaks, awesome LPs. Looking over the catalog several times, I said to myself, "man, there are a lot of expensive tweaks which the un-initiated must think is simply crazy". What also struck me is that all the stuff I want, is ultra expensive and the stuff at "real-world prices" are nothing really spectacular. Even at the low end side of "high-end" gear, I would be laying out considerably more than if I went to Best Buy and bought an All in one system.

So, here is where I am headed. I have put together a pretty nice system, almost entirely found here on Audiogon, over back in the day at Audiomart. I scored my amps which retail for $13,000 for $4000. My speakers retailed for $7500 and I got em for $1500. My turntable was $500, which retail was $2500. If, I bought a new $500 turntable, I would get like a Music Fidelity MF, entry level one.

if you bought most of your system used, if you had to start from square one and had to buy Full retail, would you still be into this hobby?

Entry level high end gear really does not interest me. it lacks pizzaz, like the Avid Reference has. For what I paid for my AudioLogic tube DAC, I could only afford a Mid-level Marantz. I beleive I would still be a Music lover, but if forced to spend Full retail for high end gear, I think I would opt for mass market mid-fi, or simply do a laptop based digital system through a mass market company.
justlisten
audiofeil
4,011 posts
 
>>the notion that a manufacturer's retail list price is even valid today is 'imaginary'<<

To a large extent I agree with Jaybo although some retail prices are closer to actual selling prices than others.

As an example, I represented a company whose costs to me varied from month to month depending on their existing financial problems. Occasionally I was able to purchase new products discounted over 70%. Ultimately the used prices of their products have reached such low levels that the retail prices have become as Jaybo says "imaginary".

Disclosure: retailer
mrtennis
3,295 posts
 
hi tvad:

my personal best stereo system was stcked quads, mac c22 preamp, 4 quad mono amps, a thorens td 124 turntable with ortofon cartridge.

i had that system for 7 years and would have only replaced the cartridge and kept that system forever except for a slight problem, namely the fragility of the quad panels.

i have a friend who owns magnepan mg 3s, dyna gear, a cary preamp, etc., who has kept his system in tact for over 5 years. his speakers are over 20 years old.

the idea is to find some components that create a sound which satisfies you and then there is no reason to replace components. i still think the original quads are the best speaker ever made.
tvad
9,467 posts
 


12-28-06: Mrtennis
hi tvad:

my personal best stereo system was stcked quads, mac c22 preamp, 4 quad mono amps, a thorens td 124 turntable with ortofon cartridge.

i had that system for 7 years and would have only replaced the cartridge and kept that system forever except for a slight problem, namely the fragility of the quad panels.


That's impressive, and I'll bet the system sounded great. I suspect having kept the system unchanged for seven years places you in the minority of audiophiles.

May I ask two questions? First, did you pay retail for the components? Second, did you purchase that system from one dealer who assembled the components for you?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
4,163 posts
 
Tvad, in the real world, people buy stereos and keep them until they break. It's only in the highly specialized minority audiophile world that people constantly trade items in a quest for sonic improvements. Some people can just sit back and enjoy the music. It's hard to believe, isn't it?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
It's only in the highly specialized minority audiophile world that people constantly trade items in a quest for sonic improvements. Some people can just sit back and enjoy the music. It's hard to believe, isn't it?
Onhwy61 (System | Threads | Answers)

Yup! :)

However, the audio hobbyist (this does not include most buy-and-hold stereo owners) is no different than an automobile or model train enthusiast...constantly tweaking and improving the object of desire. :)
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