[Stu Pitt]

First 'real' system - 1996 ish - NAD 304 integrated, NAD 523 CD changer, PSB Century 100i.   
About $1k. 

Current system - Pieced together over the last 3 years - B60RP SST, Rega Apollo, Pro-Ject 1Xpression, Pro-Ject Speed Box 2, Dynavector 10x5, Theta Cobalt 307 DAC, Apple TV, Audio Physic Yara Evolution Bookshelf speakers

About $5k with cables and very few tweaks.  It's a mix of new and second hand.

Future system - not going to be much more for a very long time.  Need to buy a house before I spend car loan-esque money.  Maybe when I'm near retirement age.  Sources will come and go.  The B60 and Audio Physic speakers will probably stay for the long haul.  They just sound right to my ears.  I'm sure the B60 (10 years old now) will last at least until I retire.  I'm 34, so that says something.

I guess if I bought a home with a room that needed bigger speakers and more power, I'd go with some Bryston seperates.  But I'd probably either find a way for the B60 to work or keep it for a 2nd system.  No way I'm ever getting rid of it.           

[alexone]

first: a few hundred bugs

second: around 4500 euros (sold a few pieces, kept the tt which is 2200 euros)

third: around 4700 euros (including the tt)

current: around 17500 euros without speakers (including the tt, excluding the SP2)


al.

[Construct]

I never like to think about cost.  I like to think about value. A few times I have spend kilobucks on components that left me feeling underwhelmed.  When the system (at whatever price)  involves and moves me...it's value exceeds it's cost.

[Ron D]

First decent system - HK 330i receiver, dual TT, Denon CD, SMGA Maggies (circa 1984) = maybe $1500

Current system - list price runs about $22K (Bryston, Maggies, Velodyne, ARC, Sony)

Future system - possible increase of say $5K over whats out of pocket as of now (maybe a change of speakers)

[betamax]

First system 1979 - Sansui integrated, EDS speakers, NEC turntable, Akai cassette deck

Second system 1986 - Carver C2 pre/M200 amp, B&W DM 110 speakers, Technics turntable, Phillips CD650 (it plays CD's, man!)

Current system - Bryston B100-DA, Rega Apollo, NAD tuner, PMC DB2i speakers

Future system - holo-suite w/ anti-tachyon particle upgrade

[brucek]

Current Main 6.1 System (copied from my spreadsheet):

Processor = $7295
Amplifiers = $8085
Speakers = $16209
CD Player = $2195
SACD/DVD = $1275
Laptop/Ext. Soundcard = $1120
Sub Parametric EQ = $150
Cables = $2142
Remote = $750
LED HDTV = $2399
HD-PVR = $599

Total with tax = $47707

[94cdnm3]

1st system: Yamaha R-3 Receiver, Magnavox CDB-650, Paradigm 3se, Sony Direct Drive TT, Audiostream cabling ~$1,200.00

Current system: See Signature ~$4,000.00

Future system: When I move to a bigger house with a bigger audio room my ideal system will consist of
PC or Bryston BDP-1
Bryston BDA-1
Bryston BP-26
Bryston 14B-sst
Totem Mani-2 Signatures or Totem Winds
System Cost: Lots but well worth it!!
 

[HsvHeelFan]

1st real system was purchased in March of 1984:

Yamaha A-100 Integrated Amp
Yamaha CD-2 CD player
Yamaha 3 Head Cassette Deck
Yamaha Tuner
Yamaha Direct Drive Turntable with Ortofon OM-10 cartridge
Yamaha NS-1000M speakers

I got some big discounts on parts of the system and had about $2800 in it.

Eventually, 

the  NS-1000's were replaced by KEF Q70's in 1995
A Velodyne subwoofer was added in 1999
Parasound PH850-P preamp, and Bryston 4B-ST  September of 2001 (last weekend of the month)
Denon DCM-290 SACD-CD player a couple of years ago when Yamaha CD changer #3 had passed on.

I don't know how much I currently have in the system.  I try not to think about it and just enjoy it.

HsvHeelFan

[Construct]

1st real system was purchased in March of 1984:

Yamaha NS-1000M speakers

the  NS-1000's were replaced by KEF Q70's in 1995

I really liked the ns-1000m and x.  Beryllium drivers long before focal made them.
I too had kef:  some 105.2's.  Totally great speakers, even today.

[HsvHeelFan]

I gave the NS-1000M's and the CD-2 to one of my cousins.  I'm pretty sure they got sold/traded for illegal substances.  In any event, they vanished.

The NS-1000M's had to go because the lovely wife didn't like the footprint of them.  They were just to wide and "ugly" for her.  So, we settled on the KEF Q70's.

The guy we bought the Yamaha system had moved over to this new store "Palm Audio/Video".  They carried a variety of speakers including Thiel,  KEF, Paradigm and others.    In amps, they carried Adcom, Conrad-Johnson, McIntosh and Parasound.  They were also really pushing Denon AV equipment in '95.   I bought my Parasound pre-amp there in 2001.  By 2003 or so, it went under.

HsvHeelFan

[Construct]

I gave the NS-1000M's and the CD-2 to one of my cousins.  I'm pretty sure they got sold/traded for illegal substances.  In any event, they vanished.

The NS-1000M's had to go because the lovely wife didn't like the footprint of them.  They were just to wide and "ugly" for her.  So, we settled on the KEF Q70's.

The guy we bought the Yamaha system had moved over to this new store "Palm Audio/Video".  They carried a variety of speakers including Thiel,  KEF, Paradigm and others.    In amps, they carried Adcom, Conrad-Johnson, McIntosh and Parasound.  They were also really pushing Denon AV equipment in '95.   I bought my Parasound pre-amp there in 2001.  By 2003 or so, it went under.

HsvHeelFan

Sad story that is repeated often.  If not part a: (sale for illegal substance)  than part b: "WAF".  Men think in terms of performance and function.  Females like to hold decor conformance and style over everything else as a general rule. I know a guy who had to sell his infinity ribbon system because "It dominated the room."  He purchased it new in Germany at a military exchange for about 50% less than MSRP in the USA.  He sold it for a few hundred bucks:  a FRACTION of what it was worth.
The Yamaha component I regret parting with was a T-85 natural sound am/fm tuner.  Top notch, even today.

[ChrisBo]

Here's mine ...

Fist system was Definetive Technology 5.1 speaker set up along with Rotel 1068/Pre and 1075 Amp
Purchased in 2000
Cost $6,000

Current set up includes ...
JBL 1400 Project Array's with Bryston 7B's, BP 25 and BCD1
Purchased between 2008 - 2010
Cost $20,000

Future upgrades include ...
Room acoustics, Bryston DAC and Torus unit(s) ... I'm debating between the RM20 for the entire system or the RM15 for the 7B's along with the RM5 for the front end.

My 2nd future project will either be one of the smaller JBL Synthesis 5.1 or a Tannoy 5.1 set up for the family room.

Take Care

[HsvHeelFan]

My current tuner is a Yamaha TX-330 Natural Sound AM/FM tuner.  I don't remember when I bought it.  I only use it to listen to SEC (Southeastern Conference) football games when they aren't televised.  I always have to rig up an antenna during football season.

I love the balance of my KEF's.  Orchestra pizzicato runs from Basses- Cellos - Violas- 2nd Violins - 1st Violins are so nice and even.  The NS-1000Ms were a bit edgy on the treble and not nearly as even across the midrange.  Sometimes they were a little harsh, but I think that was just from that Yamaha Integrated amp.


HsvHeelFan

[guest48077]

First system = no "real" audio system

Well................................... .........I consider my system to be a budget beginner system (because that is what I am). This is my first "real"

Powered Yorkville YSM1p speakers = 500 Bucks
Project Audio Turntable = 500 bucks
Promitheus Audio Dual mono TVC Preamps = about 800 bucks with all the DUTY etc
Project audio Speedbox = 125 Bucks
Bottlehead Seduction Tube Phono Pre 475 Bucks with all the shipping
Yamaha natural Sound single disc CD player FEE off of Craigslist

= 2400


DIY Stuff
Sand filled Speaker Stands =70 Bucks
Sand filled Turn Table isolation "floating" Stand, about 50 bucks
DIY Record cleaning machine about 150 bucks

With DIY projects = 2670.

I know its not a huge amount of money but.........................Don't tell my wife.........


FUTURE SYSTEM = I am sure I will spend money upgrading, new speakers, tube amps to run new speakers...............it will be more money for sure................................aga in, dont tell my wife

[Construct]

I love the balance of my KEF's.  Orchestra pizzicato runs from Basses- Cellos - Violas- 2nd Violins - 1st Violins are so nice and even.  The NS-1000Ms were a bit edgy on the treble and not nearly as even across the midrange.  Sometimes they were a little harsh, but I think that was just from that Yamaha Integrated amp.
HsvHeelFan

I may consider KEF the 1st high end company.  The BBC tested and measured to death a speaker that could recreate not just a detailed, flat response full range if needed, but the polar response pattern of a microphone in reverse.  The speakers I have heard (from the 103.2 and up)  sounded and measured incredibly well since the 70's when many US speakers were still west coast/east coast colored.  High end companies used the Kef drivers in many designs for years. No excuses or pretense, just superb engineering.

[HsvHeelFan]

My next addition will be a Bryston pre-amp of some kind.  I'll have to pick it up used.

I'm also thinking about a "music server" to replace my Denon SACD player.  I'm getting so many CD's that they're becoming a problem to keep stored and organized and as I get older, the small print on the CD booklets are getting harder and harder to read.

I may think about building one of those and ripping my entire CD collection to a couple of Terabyte drives.

HsvHeelFan

[whanafi]

My next addition will be a Bryston pre-amp of some kind.  I'll have to pick it up used.

I'm also thinking about a "music server" to replace my Denon SACD player.  I'm getting so many CD's that they're becoming a problem to keep stored and organized and as I get older, the small print on the CD booklets are getting harder and harder to read.

I may think about building one of those and ripping my entire CD collection to a couple of Terabyte drives.

HsvHeelFan

Don't hesitate, go for the ripped CD's.  Beyond the fact that you no longer have to depend on a mechanical/optical device to retrieve the music, you will find yourself listening to far more of your collection because of the convenience.

[Construct]

Don't hesitate, go for the ripped CD's.  Beyond the fact that you no longer have to depend on a mechanical/optical device to retrieve the music, you will find yourself listening to far more of your collection because of the convenience.

Same here.  I have an AIFF/FLAC/Apple lossless server.  It's nice to use existing technology and not have to rely on a physical cdp.  That, and you can eq in the digital, not acoustic domain if needed.

[predrag]

First sytem: Grdundig RPC 450 all in one - a present from my parents and my late grandpa, cost at that time DM 1800 , I was 14 years old

Current system: EUR 30.000 +

Future system will be upgrade or expansion of current one. One thing is sure: all Bryston/PMC.

 

Planned to purchase: BDP1, Rega P9/Rega Apheta, maybe PMC MB2i

[VOLKS]

I may consider KEF the 1st high end company.  The BBC tested and measured to death a speaker that could recreate not just a detailed, flat response full range if needed, but the polar response pattern of a microphone in reverse.  The speakers I have heard (from the 103.2 and up)  sounded and measured incredibly well since the 70's when many US speakers were still west coast/east coast colored.  High end companies used the Kef drivers in many designs for years. No excuses or pretense, just superb engineering.

Ive always loved their Reference speakers......even of 10-15 years ago.