[rlfortson]

Thanks for taking my membership.  I'm what I consider to be a "budget" audiophile which I put as a HiFi system somewhere under $10k.  I'm sure that is not "budget" for many but I feel that once you get to around the $10k point the sound really starts to shine.  I mostly listen to Tidal streaming in HiRes MQA (yes, I love MQA) using a Zen Signature DAC V2 along with a Zen Signature CAN as the headphone amp and preamp to my larger stereo system.  Everythings is handed off to an ART Headphone6 Pro which I use as a multi line preamp to distribute sound to 6 separate amps with 6 stereo pairs.  All 6 pairs are in the same plane and each pair has transducers of a different size to better handle a different part of the spectrum.  Vinyl is done with a Stanton ST150 direct drive turntable and an Audio-Technica cartridge with Shibata needle.  I love the sound this system makes!  Total system cost is close to that $10k mark. 

[FullRangeMan]

Welcome to AC 

[JLM]

Welcome!

Everyone has their own idea of what "budget" means.  Audio Circle even has a "Cheap and Cheerful" circle with stated spending limits (roughly $1000 USD for the entire system).  Could feed a whole village for a year in a third world country with that kind of money.  But a U.S. doctor or lawyer could spend that on footers. 

Came into a $12,000 inheritance a few years back and decided to splurge on a $10,000 system upgrade.  Never did spend it all and the only piece I still have is a small equipment rack.  BTW my system, including the room and treatments, which I'm quite satisfied with after 40+ years at this, cost me less than $7000.  But it's a relatively simple system using just a combined server/DAC as the only source. 

[Phil A]

Welcome!

[ric]

Yeah I suppose if you compare what "budget" means, my guess is that it means what YOU can comfortably afford (or choose to afford). If you were buying a house, your budget would be X amount, taking into consideration taxes, insurance, etc., and going over that amount could cause financial hardship.
This is, after all a luxury, to be able to afford a suped up stereo, and we give ourselves the moniker of audiophile--perhaps just a fancy way of saying "I spend my money on audio equipment". 

[mresseguie]

Welcome to AC!

[ArthurDent]

Greetings & Welcome to AC rlfortson   

[mix4fix]

Welcome!

Everyone has their own idea of what "budget" means.  Audio Circle even has a "Cheap and Cheerful" circle with stated spending limits (roughly $1000 USD for the entire system).

I will piggyback off of this:
I have said in the past that you should use $1k as a starting budget for each piece of the sound system. This is mainly for the newcomers so they will not be inundated with cost anxiety. $1K is a good solid round number to start with. When you upgrade, double it to $2K.

Your amplification (typically an integrated), your speakers (towers or bookshelves), your analog (basic turntable w/phono preamp if the integrated does not have it), digital (music server or CD w/DAC if your integrated does not have it), etc. You can always shop second hand to acquire better gear.

$1K for the whole system is more for the bedroom, office, or even garage system.

[Early B.]

I have said in the past that you should use $1k as a starting budget for each piece of the sound system. This is mainly for the newcomers so they will not be inundated with cost anxiety. $1K is a good solid round number to start with. When you upgrade, double it to $2K.

This is great advice. Once your components reach the $2K level, you'll have a pretty badass system if you make wise purchase decisions.

[Tom Bombadil]

I've seen component recommendations labeled as "budget" be all over the place on price.   $5000 "budget" speakers, "affordable" DACs at $2000+, etc.

In a nation where the average house is now $392,000 and the average new vehicle is $47,000, it seems out of balance to define a complete "budget" audio system should be under $2000.   Although that is a lot for many people and one can put together a reasonable system for that. 

I guess it kinda depends upon the target audience.  On a hobbyist board $1000 or $2000 may be the number.  For an audiophile magazine, then $10,000 for a complete system is pretty low. 

[mix4fix]

This is great advice. Once your components reach the $2K level, you'll have a pretty badass system if you make wise purchase decisions.

The price level will depend on the individual person's budget and goals.

[rockadanny]

When I think of "budget" I think $100s vs. $1,000s+

[Citizen4]

I am new to this forum.  I have been interested in quality audio since my first time in a theatre.  It was in 1971 and the movie was Patton.  I had never heard anything as loud, clear and detailed indoors.  After the film my grandfather asked if I understood it (I was about 10) and I explained I did.  But how do they make that incredible sound?  He knew the manager of the Cinerama.  He took us backstage and I saw for the first time the Altec Lansing Voice of the Theatre!  As I recall they look like what I later learned to be two A4.  A black wall loaded with speakers larger than trash cans and a horn array wider than I was tall.  Epic!  Ever since I was hooked on audio equipment.
So to me budget audio in today's dollars is as others have suggested, around $1000 per component (phono cartridge is a component as are cables, headphones etc.) and about twice that for speakers.  I suggest twice because I will tend to sell of or trade components far more frequently to upgrade than speakers.  When I find a pair that I like, I stick with them.