2012: Your AUDIO Investment

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Hammie

Hey, John, just curious. Are the guidelines for this poll "list prices" or "actual paid prices."

The reason I ask is that some people may get an item at a far better price due to relationship at dealer, used, etc.

To tell you the truth, I've guestimated mine based on what I actually paid. My setup may go up 10-15% if I used list prices.

Just wondering if we should play on the same ground or not.

BTW, the term "investment" could be taken either way but I think it generally means what you pay for something.

I would go by what you paid, since its the investment you personally have made. It isn't an iron-clad rule though....

[callas01]

added a Naim Nait 5i, so I guess that pushes me up a level.... even if I do add the rDAC this year, it wont push me up any higher on the voting list, but right now, Im just below $6500 in my audio investment.

[richteer]

Bump.

We're nearing the end of the year, so I think a bump to this thread is in order! Vote away, friends!

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by richteer

Bump.

We're nearing the end of the year, so I think a bump to this thread is in order! Vote away, friends!

Thanks for the bump Rich! I gotta say I almost forgot about the thread!.

So yeah, let's vote. I would like to do another one for next year!

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by Blu-Benny

This is exactly what I was able to do this year…..got my fronts and center channel.

So for this year, I’m done.

Originally Posted by MrFattBill

Lies

Bill

can you predict the future bill??

did u know my recv'r would crap out before years end??

gonna try and pick up a new recv'r before my b-day on the 31st.

[darkpoet25]

Didn't do much this year other than add the Ascend CBM-170's and CMT-340. I will wait until tax time to get the HTM-200's for surround use, and possibly new speaker cable(nothing wrong with my cables now, just would like to add a little bit of slack, especially the surrounds) and definetly some stands for the surrounds. Having replaced the Athena's with the Ascend's has made a difference I was able to discern. The Ascend's are more natural sounding to me, and have better imaging too.

[Remo]

Everything in my sig that is audio related was purchased this year, all the Polk speakers, the receiver, the amp + a few other things not in my sig. It was a big year, went from HIB to what I have now..... Massive improvement!

[Shagadelic]

Only bought a center channel this year, Polk csi a6 cherry.
really wanted to go Monitor audio Rx series, just wasn't in the budget.
I need to step it up, lagged all year saving a budget for towers (rti a9 & Hsu vtf-2 mk. 4).
Hopefully Rti's will be $499 like last January. Missed the Oct. sale, wasn't ready for that.
Recently sprung my Floyds to remasters, just need a new PC to get all my tunes back.
...ughh and a 55"- 60" 3D panny.

C'mon 2013, no whammies.

[HedgeHog]

Since my last post, I've got my fancy dancy power cables, Primacoustic traps, RPG panels, cable lifts, and audiophile fuses. Probably stuff most would frown on. For "normal" purchases, I've acquired the Oppo BDP-105 and a set of Evolution Acoustics mmMicroOne speakers. Oh, also got some White Zombie Audio zeroPointzero XLR and Clear Day Audio Double Shotgun speaker cables (w/ WBT locking bananas).

I guess my autocross club founder said it best: "There's no such thing as a cheap hobby."

[jdc115]

Been a long time since posting around here, just happened to catch this thread.

I can only think of 1 piece of audio equipment that I purchased in 2012 which was a Logitech Squeezebox Touch and been quite happy with it. I was previously using a PopcornHour C-200 to play music from my NAS but the Logitech seems a good step up in sound.

Will move next year and probably look to do a few changes but still more on the HT side (adding more speakers would purely be for the HT). But maybe some minor changes to my second system which is audio only.

Just had too many other priorities this past year

[Johnny Vinyl]

At the start of the year I would never have anticipated making the changes I ended up doing. In fact, I didn't know up until a few weeks ago.

PS Audio 4.6 Preamp
Ortofon 2M Black MM Cartridge
McIntosh MC122 Power Amplifier
Nordost Blue Heaven LS power cord

There is probably another change coming before the year is up, so I'll wait to vote for now.

[Cevolution]

I haven't made any changes or upgrades this year, I have mainly concertrated on growing my blu-ray collection. I've bought about 500 blu's since June. I also had custom made shelves built for my collection which cost me almost $3000au, and I bought a Paragon popcorn machine. Other than that a lot of my purchases this year haven't revolved around my HT. I bought a $3500 mattress for my bed earlier in the year, a new dining room table and chairs a few months ago, plus other things for my place like some nice framed pictures, etc. Within the 1st half of next year I'm planning to upgrade my receiver to an Onkyo tx-nr5010 (in silver of course lol), and am also going to purchase a 2nd sub to go with the new receiver, plus maybe some butt kickers as well, and possibly new speakers for my bedroom setup. I'm wanting to purchase a new BBQ too (even though the one I currently have is only a few years old), I'm looking at a model that will set me back $2500, I'm still undecided whether I'll buy it first or the receiver.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

At the start of the year I would never have anticipated making the changes I ended up doing. In fact, I didn't know up until a few weeks ago.

PS Audio 4.6 Preamp
Ortofon 2M Black MM Cartridge
McIntosh MC122 Power Amplifier
Nordost Blue Heaven LS power cord

There is probably another change coming before the year is up, so I'll wait to vote for now.

My only major change was adding the Cornwalls - but that was a MAJOR change!!! Other than that - I'm getting rid of equipment!!! My PC is my only source now.

[richteer]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

At the start of the year I would never have anticipated making the changes I ended up doing. In fact, I didn't know up until a few weeks ago.

PS Audio 4.6 Preamp
Ortofon 2M Black MM Cartridge
McIntosh MC122 Power Amplifier
Nordost Blue Heaven LS power cord

Some nice upgrades there, John! I'll be adding my vote soon, just in case Santa has a surprise for me (I've only made one major audio purchase this year).

[Lutra]

Let me swing the averages by saying I have a $250.00 audio investment. Stereo amp and 2.0 passive speakers....some wire, an old dvd player for popping in cds that I got for free. Been a great investment for me.

[rded]

Only one upgrade this year- got the Dynaudio Signature C4s but also downgraded in the Home Theater and Analog department. So I guess I am pretty much in the same category as last year.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I'm ready to vote since my last post as I'm completely tapped out financially with all of the upgrades in the last month.

My system now stands as follows:

Nottingham Horizon SE with Rega RB250 tonearm - $2,000 MSRP
Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge - $699 MSRP
PS Audio 4.6 Preamp - $999 MSRP
McIntosh MC122 Power Amp - $1,500 MSRP
Monster HDP2400 power centre - $499 MSRP
Genesis G7.1f loudspeakers - $8,995 MSRP
Various cables (speaker, interconnects, power) - $1,000 (approx)
Sonora Audio Stand - $499 MSRP

Total - $16,191

[rded]

Originally Posted by Johnny Vinyl

I'm ready to vote since my last post as I'm completely tapped out financially with all of the upgrades in the last month.

My system now stands as follows:

Nottingham Horizon SE with Rega RB250 tonearm - $2,000 MSRP
Ortofon 2M Black MM cartridge - $699 MSRP
PS Audio 4.6 Preamp - $999 MSRP
McIntosh MC122 Power Amp - $1,500 MSRP
Monster HDP2400 power centre - $499 MSRP
Genesis G7.1f loudspeakers - $8,995 MSRP
Various cables (speaker, interconnects, power) - $1,000 (approx)
Sonora Audio Stand - $499 MSRP

Total - $16,191

Hey John! I haven't been here in a while, but damn!! You now have Genesis speakers? Do you have pictures of them new speakers?

[richteer]

Originally Posted by rded

Hey John! I haven't been here in a while, but damn!! You now have Genesis speakers? Do you have pictures of them new speakers?

I was thinking exactly the same thing! I gotta pay more attention!

[Reference]

I have spent about $18000 in audio this year.

2x Emotiva UPA-1
2x Emotiva XPA-1
1x Emotiva ERC-2 ( CD Player)
1x Emotiva USP-1 (Stereo Pre-amp)
1x XDA-1 (DAC-digital Pre-amp)
1x Cables
1x I-Mac (for digital music)
1x first speaker build
1x second speaker build

I don't know if the speaker build even counts but it's adding up quick!
I like this thread because it's pretty much the only time i think about how much money i really spend on my hobby.