Poll on Retail price of Your Complete Audio System

36 minutes ago, Nikhil said:

 

My vote is inflated by the ~40% import duties we have to pay here in India. ☹️

 

 

 

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Yikes!

need a few more voters.

Good news is Chris has kindly offered for every participant free accommodation with waterbed in Venice; Bad news is the bed is in water !....(offer expires without warning😉)

I'm quite sure that if media had been included in the retail price of this poll? Many answers would have changed within the poll.

Tom

1 hour ago, treitz3 said:

I'm quite sure that if media had been included in the retail price of this poll? Many answers would have changed within the poll.

 

Tom

Yeh Tom that may well be so.its hard to interpret in light of modern streaming practices where media is rented

Absolutely. Even if you subscribed to Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, and a plethora of other subscriptions, it wouldn't tally up to much, in the whole grand scheme of things.

I did not mean to ruffle feathers with my comment. Totally my bad, if I presented myself that way. That was not anywhere close to my intention. Media, for many in our hobby, makes up quite a bit of the "entire system's" retail. Especially if they have been collecting certain formats and audiophile selections, on top of normal listening media for most of their life. My intention was simply to point this aspect out and keep the conversation going.

Tom

2 hours ago, treitz3 said:

Absolutely. Even if you subscribed to Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, and a plethora of other subscriptions, it wouldn't tally up to much, in the whole grand scheme of things.

I did not mean to ruffle feathers with my comment. Totally my bad, if I presented myself that way. That was not anywhere close to my intention. Media, for many in our hobby, makes up quite a bit of the "entire system's" retail. Especially if they have been collecting certain formats and audiophile selections, on top of normal listening media for most of their life. My intention was simply to point this aspect out and keep the conversation going.

 

Tom

Totally fine and valid points IMO.

When I made the poll I just limited it to the audio reproduction system. I understand that many audiophiles have extensive and expensive media libraries but nowadays many will not due to streaming . It might be an interesting separate poll

So it looks like the majority is in the large $5-50,000 range. About what I'd expect at an "audiophile" site.

I will admit I'm impressed by the number of people in the categories above that. 

19 hours ago, treitz3 said:

I'm quite sure that if media had been included in the retail price of this poll? Many answers would have changed within the poll .

Oh gosh Tom! Please don’t remind me of the $$ I have sunk into media! 🤑

Between the 4,000 LPs I’ve been collecting since my teens and the 1,800 or so CDs/SACDs I have—it’s a frightening thought. Especially since I’m not spinning much of any of that precious vinyl these days and am getting to that point in life where bulky possessions feel like a (literal) weight to hang onto…

17 hours ago, firedog said:

So it looks like the majority is in the large $5-50,000 range. About what I'd expect at an "audiophile" site.

I will admit I'm impressed by the number of people in the categories above that. 

I was not surprised. As forums go AS and seems to be frequented by much better off people than the UK forums.

The poll data says 92 members voted but a few more would be good. Chris has kindly offered for every participant a free camping trip in the amazing Aussie outback. Its charms are unparalleled, brochure picture attached.......(offer expires without warning😉)

Compare 2018 to 2024 Poll

2018

2024

Not adjusted for Inflation

15 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

Not adjusted for Inflation

How do you interpret that data?

19 minutes ago, semente said:

How do you interpret that data?

Not sure without further info but possibly bracket creep.

In absolute terms 40% of posters are spending over 50K in 2024.

The sample size is not huge and may or may not be representative of all AS members, only 1% of which are posters. I cannot see the names so don't know if more lurkers were motivated to post more than usual

11 minutes ago, Audiophile Neuroscience said:

Not sure without further info but possibly bracket creep.

 

In absolute terms 40% of posters are spending over 50K in 2024.

 

The sample size is not huge and may or may not be representative of all AS members, only 1% of which are posters. I cannot see the names so don't know if more lurkers were motivated to post more than usual

Prices keep steadily going up (regardless of inflation) so there could be some correlation.

It would be interesting, but difficult to calculate, to see how much we’ve spent over the years.

I would take into account that the audience of AS may have changed since 2018, many active members have left or stepped back into the lurker model

According to an inflation calculator there has been a 25% increase in usd since 2018.that would make 50 k worth  about 62k today and 19% spent more than that in 2018

The exact brackets are not same when adjusted for inflation but in 2024 about 19% spent more than 100k

If so it suggests more money spent on expensive gear