I included the closet contents so that put me over the $15K mark... but that's a bit misleading considering I could have about 12 working 2-ch setups and a couple 5.1's as well if they were all currently in use. I've given a few things away, but I've still got AVRs from back in the "component video is the best" era. They still work, so I don't want to get rid of them - but they likely wouldn't even fetch $10 at a yard sale.
If I hadn't discovered discount active studio monitors... it would be
much higher for sure.
Cheapest in use ($450):
$200 Cambridge Audio DACMagic (v1)
$50 Emotiva Control Freak (passive XLR pot)
$200 JBL 305P (Mk1)
Priciest in use ($10,300):
$4800 Aperion Grand Verus 5-ch
$700 Emotiva 3ch amp
$450 Emotiva Monos (2)
$3200 Marantz 8801A
$350 Emotiva Sub12's (2)
I shudder to think what it might be if I added in the displays and sound treatments, etc. However, if I started doing that, then I'd have to include the computers... and I've got
way more "invested" in those over the same time period (and they have even
worse depreciation than the AVRs).
I've had most of my audio gear for more than 8 years (some >20)... but I replace something major in at least one of my computers every 3 months - often sooner. You want to talk about diminishing returns...