Why are all the Virtual Systems mega-assaults now?

Who would put a "cheap" (sub-$40,000.) system up to be laughed at.
It would be like bragging about your Focus (car) on a site for supercars. Though preaching for equality, it really IS about the money
I HAVE a less than $20K system, and would never bother to show it to anyone here. Why cast pearls before swine? (that last comment was supposed to be sarcastic AND funny)

A further thought, part of the value in looking at those "expensive" systems is that sometimes you will find items that you might want to incorporate into your own system and which do not cost an "arm and a leg." For instance, the Acoustic Revive AC line conditioners (RTP-4), while not cheap are far less expensive and more effective than some of the higher priced AC line conditioners on the market. The same can also be said for their power cords. In some applications they are excellent. In my system, certain components (digital) respond very well to the RTP-4 while others clearly benefit from the more expensive Isoclean AC conditioners and power cords. It would also be honest to say that I have discovered tweaks by looking at "less costly" systems. I heard a system over the weekend that was built around the Parasound JC-1's, Acoustat full range electrostats and some older EMM Labs gear that was truly excellent. The total system investment was probably a little over $20,000 not counting cables. Excellent sound can be had at reasonable prices particularly for those willing to buy used through Audiogon.

Fcrowder, I can understand that someone might gain some pearls of wisdom by looking at the uber-expensive systems, but I feel that I learn so much more about value and synergy from the more value-oriented virtual systems.

And Elizabeth, I understand your comment that people with "lesser systems" might not want to advertise it because it would be perceived as too pedestrian to be on Audiogon.

For me, I'm hoping that these people start coming out of the woodwork.

Michael

One last thought, is it common curtissy to reply to somone if they took time to look at and compliment a persons efforts? I champion alot of systems from the top to the bottom and many times dont even get a simple "thanks for looking and the kind words"....seems rude to me, if somebody takes time to compliment my efforts I look at and compliment their system if its posted or at the very least say thanks.
I have actually talked to members who in a 15 minute call ask me to respond to their system more than once like it is so important that somebody says how great the are, so I do and nada......zip..........zilch in return.
Elizabeth has a point but it goes both ways, I post mine because for one I am proud of it even if many thinks its a joke, I also hope to get some helpful advice and even some hard to swallow information if its going to help me out, but maybe Elizabeth is right, and its all a waste of time if you dont have ultra high priced esoteric gear, nobody cares...........kinda makes me like this hobby a little less because we are not in this together, its every snob for himself far too many times.

05-08-08: Sufentanil
Fcrowder, I can understand that someone might gain some pearls of wisdom by looking at the uber-expensive systems, but I feel that I learn so much more about value and synergy from the more value-oriented virtual systems.

Michael, I completely agree with you. I browse through systems to see what others have put together, but I don't usually use the recent activity link. I tend to search the systems for specific equipment and then wander around from there.

Personally, I don't like to draw attention to myself. I make changes to my system on a regular basis, but I do it under each piece of equipment and I don't add comments when I finish. I use my system as a place to make notes and store links. It's a resource for me and it's convenient to have these things in one place.

I'm happy with my pedestrian system. I doubt the mega buck folks are laughing at us. They have other things to think about. And if they are, I don't care. I didn't put up a virtual system to parade my wealth. I put it up so people can see where I'm coming from when I ask questions.