The audio hobby is a terrible financial decision.

[Robin L]

The man is right.
From now on imma collect stamps.

I suggest the Jenny inverts.

 

[Robin L]

Collecting rare items (recordings) isn't quite the same thing as hardware otoh.

But the question wasn't specifically about hardware. And the audio hobby does not necessarily mean buying "Vintage" (it is to laugh) gear in the hope of flipping it for more than what was paid by the flipper. Being an audio cheapskate, I always spent a lot more on recordings than playback gear. It's not as if I don't appreciate good sound, it's just that I hate to have to pay for it. And for a while, my collections of records got big enough and valuable enough that, when I needed to move, I could make enough from selling my records to cover first and last and more. But that was long ago. Still, someone who has played that game gets a good idea of what's collectible, what's not.

 

[JeffS7444]

D&D 8C?

Ah, now it makes sense: I initially read "D&D" as "Dungeons & Dragons".

 

[PristineSound]

In terms of spending, I almost have only ever bought used. And I’ve always been very careful to research the market for whatever I’m thinking of buying in terms of resale value, how fast they tend to sell on the use market, etc. I never want to be stuck with a piece of gear that I don’t like that wouldn’t sell it or wouldn’t even take a long time to sell.

You were very strategic from day one. I was still learning what I want and don't want, what I care and don't care.

 

[kazuviking]

Funny that, my DIY'er friends keep telling me that DIY audio is cheaper than buying retail.

I couldve just bought the 200€ SMSL or that THX headphone amp instead back then Wouldve got a way better product. Now i have a hp amp that is a rats nest in a plastic box near a lot of cables. Just a crappy alu project box is over 100€ with the dimensions i need.

At this point i decided to spice the F up my whammy with all the bells and whistles.

 

[JustAnandaDourEyedDude]

Flea market sellers "invest" for a living. Vintage video games and vinyl records start about eight minutes into this eleven-and-a-half minute video:

 

[Bleib]

Hifi is not so expensive, and it's not something you have to constantly update unlike say computers or phones

 

[DanielT]

For some things, DIY is definitely cheaper. Like simple car maintenance (oil change, oil filter, lightbulb change, battery swaps, wiper replacement), lawn mowing, cooking, and home repairs. But for others, I would rather go retail.

True, but for larger projects, even if you are handy and have time?

My neighbor and his son put a new roof on their summer house a few years ago. Sure they saved money but damn how long it took them to replace the roof.
All these rented machines, rented scaffolding, back and forth to the lumber yard a hell of a lot of times with a small trailer, planning and more planning, unforeseen events (which for an amateur pop up all the time) and so on.

The neighbor has a well-paid job. Why not hire professional roofers and let them do the work while you take a vacation and lie on the beach or go boating, fishing (what you relax with if you have a summer house by the sea)?
(That's how it is when you are stingy, ...stinginess deceives wisdom, so to speak)

Edit:
Plus, I missed the time it took them to get the new roof on. They were on it for half the summer, at least.

 

[Redacted]

I have not read any other reply in this thread, but you can buy 50$ IEMS and have pretty much better sound quality than anybody spending thousands in the 80s.

What? You need to spend that much?

 

[Mart68]

Funny that, my DIY'er friends keep telling me that DIY audio is cheaper than buying retail. I point out the investment in machinery as well as wastage from all the screw-ups, and i'm pretty sure it would either break even for a high end build with all-Purifi drivers or I would come in at a loss.

For some things, DIY is definitely cheaper. Like simple car maintenance (oil change, oil filter, lightbulb change, battery swaps, wiper replacement), lawn mowing, cooking, and home repairs. But for others, I would rather go retail. I won't buy a barista level coffee machine at $2000 + $1000 coffee grinder + accessories, I would rather pay $5 per coffee every day. And now that I am losing my hair, I am wondering whether paying $200 for electric clippers and getting my wife to cut my hair is going to be cheaper than visiting the barber at $20 every couple of months.

My speakers are DIY but I got them built by someone who already had the tools. Even though that's an added cost on top of the materials there's no way I could have got the same capability buying new retail for the same money. Not even close.

Clippers - bought the same type as my barber uses, eBay, £20. I've saved hundreds there over 5 years. Plus countless hours sat waiting my turn in the barber shop.

Easy to do it yourself in a couple of minutes although I admit I did procrastinate for a month or two after I got them. But turned out there was nothing to worry about. Of course there's no styling, it's just a number 3 all round but I'm too old to care about that. Another plus side is you can keep it neat and tidy all the time. No more 'growing out' in between barber visits.

 

[DanielT]

Hifi is not so expensive, and it's not something you have to constantly update unlike say computers or phones

Used Wharfedale Linton 85, six months old in mint condition with stand. A bit below new price:


Decreases an estimated $300-$400 in value in three to five years. That's for a good pair of speakers that will provide a lot of music listening pleasure over the years. I don't consider Hifi with that example to be an expensive hobby, quite the opposite in fact.
(yes I know, streamer, DAC and amp are needed in addition to the speakers but it doesn't have to be that expensive)

Spend more money on speakers than Wharfedale Linton 85? Sure if you feel like it. It's a hobby, you do what you want. The question of diminishing returns will come up sooner or later but I'll leave that aside.

 

[Digital_Thor]

It certainly wasn’t a terrible investment for me. I’ve got a huge amount of value and pleasure out of the audio gear I’ve owned over the years. And it never took money away from anything vital in my life or in my family’s life. Why would that be a bad financial decision?

Yes... exactly the mindset I use before buying stuff. Recently bought a set of KEF R3 Meta just to grap the coax for my DIY. Most people would seriously question several aspects of that action, but since I am very happy with the results I ended up with, the quite high expense, seems suddenly fair and not something that bothers me at all - even though I would of course enjoy paying less... if possible.
There's extremely many 'traps' in this modern world, snapping us from everything we got by a push on a button. Loosing maybe half it's value by buying some silly piece of hifi gear and selling it again, is not that bad... and you potentially learn something... like for example actually enjoying your things and moderate ones actions + think/philosophy just a tad more - next time

 

[Digital_Thor]

Funny that, my DIY'er friends keep telling me that DIY audio is cheaper than buying retail. I point out the investment in machinery as well as wastage from all the screw-ups, and i'm pretty sure it would either break even for a high end build with all-Purifi drivers or I would come in at a loss.

Fully agree, except one aspect , which is getting what you want.
In my example, I've built something you can't buy, a DIY KEF R Meta with two 9,5" woofers in a sleak closed tower, aimed for use with multiple subwoofers - all active. Nothing like this exists... and it's built below half the price of a set of Dutch & Dutch 8C - for all the amps, drivers, cabinets etc.
It has been a great fun learning experience and I personally feel like I bite some of the best products on the market in the heals, while enjoying it immensely every day for movies, documentary , games and music.
Finish... the design ... I'm not even close... I'm definitely not a skilled woodworker...mediocre at best, but the sound is damn good - IMO.

 

[DSJR]

I would agree as well. But then at what price point does it become bragging rights?

I know it's difficult, but here in the UK I can think of certain brands, now at silly-high prices, where the popularity amongst us-oldies here is based on 1980s reputation and the 'deluxe' pricing, rather than outright ability today. Sadly, there's a favourite speaker brand of mine which is heading the same way as regards costs and attraction to tech-ignorant folks who seem more interested in the veneers and which amp will drive them...

 

[Ropeburn]

I dunno man, my current stereo was like 1500 total or less, and it brings me great joy every day and will do so for long years to come. I consider that a great investment with terrific returns.

Joy is invaluable. The profit here is nominally infinite.

 

[mhardy6647]

I seem to remember value fell well off not long after release.....

It would be interesting to see the historical trend on 'em (with or without inflation adjustment). Wonder if AI could cough that up for us?

 

[Devnull]

Fi_earms ....that seems to be a hobby, if you get the right stuff ....it will appreciate. I've got some heirloom stuff that I'm leaving to my adult son.

Never lost a penny when I resold something. However, once you add in the cost of ammo it can get a little pricey depending on what comes out of the safe.

 

[Ropeburn]

Never lost a penny when I resold something. However, once you add in the cost of ammo it can get a little pricey depending on what comes out of the safe.

Perhaps of the priciest combos: transferable (US) MG42 or MG3, there's only a few on the private market that usually sell for tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Then shooting like it's intended... one 150 round belt of 7.92 or 7.62 after another, at 1200-1500 rpm with constant barrel changing. Watch your life savings go down range in a day or three...

 

[Mart68]

Perhaps of the priciest combos: transferable (US) MG42 or MG3, there's only a few on the private market that usually sell for tens or even hundreds of thousands.

Then shooting like it's intended... one 150 round belt of 7.92 or 7.62 after another, at 1200-1500 rpm with constant barrel changing. Watch your life savings go down range in a day or three...

MG42 - I had the opportunity to fire one of those - but the cost of the ammo! - I think a two second burst worked out at 50 dollars and that was years ago now.

Still, pertinant to the discussion, I'm never going to get the chance again and what's fifty bucks in the grand scheme of things?

 

[Ropeburn]

MG42 - I had the opportunity to fire one of those - but the cost of the ammo! - I think a two second burst worked out at 50 dollars and that was years ago now.

Still, pertinant to the discussion, I'm never going to get the chance again and what's fifty bucks in the grand scheme of things?

Now I'm jelly. I've only shot MG3s even though some were converted MG42 with the swastika stamped out, haha. Old as dirt and working fine.

A full belt of 100 or 150 for 50 bucks seems cheap enough. Good investment anyway if you enjoy that sort of thing!

Fully back to topic: it all comes down to getting fun for your money, right? That's what we all buy stereos and other hobby stuff for. Hell, even nifty lawnmowers and other everyday tools can provide that. All of that can very well be a worthwhile investment because we thrive on fun, it provides the biggest creature comfort and is even rationally good for us because it's healthy for body and mind.