More on the stereos

Dear Gentle reader, wherever you are,

(Since carefully editing this so there are columns for the figures, then posting it, (twice!) I find that the carefully made columns gone! So, I overcame with dots!)

First off, I don't think I mentioned that aside from the two TVs, and the BOSE 301 speakers, ALL of the equipment was bought used at fractional cost of new or even "book" value as determined my Orion's and eBay trends. For instance the Yamaha receiver that is in the den, had listed new for $1,600. I got it used for $50 via eBay. Now that's a bargain!

I decided to do some research on the various pieces of equipment that makes up the four sound systems in the house. As mentioned before, I have Orion's Audio Book. From that I gathered the build dates and original list prices of the equipment. Then I used the Consumer Price Index web page that determines inflation. Thus, if the same piece of equipment was produced today, it might sell for the 2008 value of.........So, without further ado and the magic of cut and paste:

Office System

Item....................................................................Year(s)............MSRP...................2008

Denon PRA-1200 pre-amplifier............................1988-91.............$475.................$853
Kenwood Basic M1 power amplifier.....................1982-84.............. 330...................726
Denon TU-600 tuner...........................................1986-90...............400...................775
Denon DR-M203-head cassette deck....................1986-87...............400...................775
Denon DP-7F turntable (Stanton cartridge)............1985-98...............325...................642
Denon DCD-690 CD player.................................1992-93...............300...................454
Denon DVD-757 SACD/DVD-A player................2005-08...............400...................400
Insignia HD Radio tuner......................................2006-08...............200...................200
MXR 147 graphic equalizer.................................1981-83...............250...................584
LYRIC/Eosone speakers.....................................1997-06...............900(x2)............1191(x2)
RCA PRO-X44AV speakers................................1999-05................60.....................76
Grand Totals................................................................................$4,940...............$7,867

Living Room System

Adcom GFP-565 pre-amplifier.................................1989...............$900................$1542
Adcom GFA-585 power amplifier........................1990-92...............1200.................1950
Adcom GFT-555 tuner.......................................1987-89.................300..................561
(2) Adcom ACE-515 power conditioner/distributors...1987.................200(x2)............374(x2)
Denon DP-23F turntable....................................1985-94.................425..................839
Shure M97xE cartridge......................................2000-08.................140..................140
Rotel RCD-940BX CD player............................1994-96.................380..................545
Pioneer PDR-555RW CD recorder.........................1998.................700..................912
Samsung HD-950 SACD/DVD-Audio player...........2005.................250..................250
JVC TDV-711 3-head cassette deck..................1988-89.................620.................1113
KLH TNE-7000A Transient Noise Eliminator....1975-83.................330.................1303
Coustic HEQ-7000 equalizer............................1985-89.................130...................257
Optimus PRO-4000 speakers...........................1984-97.................520.................1063
Grand Totals................................................................................$6,295.............$11,223

Family Room System (less TV)

Yamaha RX-V493 5.1 Receiver...........................1998...............$400...................$521
Sony DVP-NS775V SACD/DVD player...........1998-05................125.....................165
Sherwood ST-875 Turntable...........................1986-89................120.....................233
Ortofon OM-5 cartridge..................................2005-08..................60.......................60
BOSE 301 speakers........................................2002-08................300.....................300
Pioneer center channel speaker........................2005-08................100.....................100
Dual surround speakers...................................1999-05.................50.......................75
A-Neutronics ANS12 sub-woofer.....................2005-08...............150.....................150
Grand Totals...............................................................................$1305..................$1604

Den System (less HD TV)

Yamaha RX-V2092 7.1 Receiver.........................1997............$1600....................$2118
Infinity TSS-450 6-piece speaker system.........2002-08................350........................350

Yamaha DVD-S1500 SACD/DVD player........2000-05................450........................531

Grand Totals............................................................................$2400.....................$2999

So, what is the point of this exercise, you may ask? We have long been believers in buying used, "previously enjoyed" if you prefer. The best thing to do this with is vehicles. A one year old car will be at least 30% less than the current modcl year, for example.
I love crisp, clear, tight sound from my speakers. I can close my eyes and at the proper volume "see" the band or orchestra in front of me. That's what high end audio is all about. I joined this elete, some think snobbish, some think insane, group of music lovers on a budget.

Since grandson # 3 has just been handed to me, I need to sign off for now.