[SteveB]

I'm like most of you in that I have been building up my system over the years. Being in retail I make most of my money over the holidays. I get my taxes done as soon as I can so I have more money in February or March than I would in any other time of the year.
I really look for deals, sales, discontinued and I'm not ashamed to ask for people in the business to get deals.
My front speakers are a case in point, Fry's decided to blow out the Polk LSI series speakers. I was able to get a pair of speakers with a suggested retail of $1800 for $400. I got what I think to be a very good amp from an on line retailer for $499 shipped. Oh, and my first set of, again what I thought to be a good, surround speakers from an one line company including the sub for $499 plus shipping.
It has taken me 3 years to get to where I am with my system. I live in an apartment so I can only go so far. At this point there are only two things left that I would like to have, better rear speakers and possibly a second sub. When the girlfriend and I get a house I'm sure there will be more things on my list, namely room treatment. I'm fairly patient, someday I will finish, well maybe.