BayStBroker
New member
- Joined
- Jan 15, 2015
- Messages
- 292
- Thread Author
- #1
First of all, let me say that I think people in this short life we have available to us should be able to spend their money however they see fit without judgment from others. "The buyer gets to choose" is almost the first definition of economic freedom.
At the same time, I get it when people's mouths drop to learn that somebody has spent $50k on speakers, or $5k on a phono cartridge. It might be helpful to observe that many of these buyers don't actually spend a great deal of money (especially not on themselves). Sure, fine audio can be part of a comprehensive luxury lifestyle that includes exotic cars, first-class travel, vintage wines, Michelin restaurants, 5-star hotels, etc. More often, the audiophile with the Kronos turntable and the YG Acoustics speakers is paying college tuition for a bunch of offspring and a whole lot of income tax. His stereo is his primary (maybe even his single) indulgence. He gets to use it constantly, so the personal expense of owning something really fine is tangible in the musical experience he enjoys.
I'll never understand how people I grew up with are never surprised to learn that someone has spent 6-12 months of income to purchase a boat or a sports car. Those same people are shocked to learn that someone has spent a comparable amount on a stereo. And yet, music is an important part of life for a majority of people. Music lovers outnumber audiophiles by 10 to 1 I would estimate.
So if you bought yourself a little "somethin'-somethin'" for Christmas (after financing the presents of maybe 5-25 others), please enjoy it with good conscience. You deserve it! Happy Holidays!
At the same time, I get it when people's mouths drop to learn that somebody has spent $50k on speakers, or $5k on a phono cartridge. It might be helpful to observe that many of these buyers don't actually spend a great deal of money (especially not on themselves). Sure, fine audio can be part of a comprehensive luxury lifestyle that includes exotic cars, first-class travel, vintage wines, Michelin restaurants, 5-star hotels, etc. More often, the audiophile with the Kronos turntable and the YG Acoustics speakers is paying college tuition for a bunch of offspring and a whole lot of income tax. His stereo is his primary (maybe even his single) indulgence. He gets to use it constantly, so the personal expense of owning something really fine is tangible in the musical experience he enjoys.
I'll never understand how people I grew up with are never surprised to learn that someone has spent 6-12 months of income to purchase a boat or a sports car. Those same people are shocked to learn that someone has spent a comparable amount on a stereo. And yet, music is an important part of life for a majority of people. Music lovers outnumber audiophiles by 10 to 1 I would estimate.
So if you bought yourself a little "somethin'-somethin'" for Christmas (after financing the presents of maybe 5-25 others), please enjoy it with good conscience. You deserve it! Happy Holidays!
