The recent marketplace question about Zelda S&D has me wondering: what soundtrack did you pay a large amount of cash for, or are willing to pay a large amount of cash for?  Now I realize that "large" is relative, but for this poll anything over $100 is large.  So, do tell???

Also, please keep your answers to soundtracks that do exist!

cheers,

-avatar!

Well back in the day I paid a serious amount for the FFVI Piano Collections book. I can't remember exactly how much but it was several hundred at least. Probably more than I should have. I've paid around the $100 for a few others (I think a couple of the Panzer Dragoon ones and, of course, the Dracula Battles) but, in general, my tastes haven't included too many rare soundtracks.

A few years ago I paid over $200 for a rare limited edition soundtrack CD from the film 'FRIGHT NIGHT' (1986).  The CD was released in 2000 by a Japanese fanzine called 'REFLEX', and only 150 copies of the disc were pressed (mine is #19).  It contains the complete instrumental score from the film, plus all of the songs that appeared on the original LP.  It's packaged in a gatefold mini-lp style slipcase, with gorgeous full-color still-shots from the film adorning the packaging inside and out.  I've had countless offers from people wanting to purchase it from me, but I wouldn't sell it in a million years.

Rumor has it that the same fanzine released a limited edition OST CD for 'THE SHINING' (1980) as well, and if I ever come across a copy, IT WILL BE MINE!

I take it that the mega-box sets (Legends of Game Music, Ghosts and Goblins, Dragon Quest Symphonic) don't count?

Over $100, eh?  I've only paid that much for two albums: Perfect Collection Ys II and Legend of Xanadu Super Arrange.  I think I paid $80 for Legend of Zelda Sound & Drama, and a similar amount for Sound Fantasy Romancia.  Then I have a slew at the $50-80 level.

Of the albums I don't have right now, the only ones I can think of that I might be willing to top $50 would be:

Dracula Battle
Super Mario Bros. 3 Akihabara Electric Circus
Some of the Technosoft albums
All Over Xanadu

My infamous purchase of the FF7 OST limited edition. Paid about $425 for that. Of course, if you break it down, it comes out to about $100 per disc, which is in the realm of what others have spent for single-disc soundtracks...

I went through a period where I was grabbing just about every OOP album I always wanted but never had, and there were several of them that took a nasty bite out of my wallet.  Fortunately I caught up, and for the last couple years, I've only been buing new stuff, which is considerably cheaper on a per album basis.

I forgot how much I spent on Beyond the Beyond and Shining the Holy Ark, but I know it was at least $100 each.

Wow.

The most I ever paid was $112 (with EMS shipping it came to about $124 total) in a bidding war for the Super Mario RPG OSV.  It was a new copy that Cocoebiz had been auctioning on Ebay a few years ago.

Afterwards I decided never to pay that kind of money for a VGM album again.  The closest I've come since was with the $60 I paid for Rebus.  Otherwise I try to keep it within $5 to $20 per album.

$140 (plus shipping) for the Rockman 1-6 Box Set a couple of years ago (before Coco started carrying). Looking back, I wouldn't have done it any differently at the time, since supply was nowhere guaranteed.

I also went as high as $140 on a copy of the original Estpolis Biography, but was outbid at the last minute. No regrets there either, considering prices for the soundtrack ballooned after that and it's STILL impossible to find. Too bad the reprint turned out to be a disappointment...

Beyond that, I pretty much top out at about $65 (Super Mario World, Ys IV Perfect Collection 2 and 3 for about that). Collector's ego might make up tap out for Phantasy Star Collection 1 one of these days, but between mp3's circulating and the albums I have now, major OOP purchases aren't on the menu right now. Still...There is a sense of pride listening to fresh-ripped and custom-tagged AAC files of OOP albums, as opposed to mp3's grabbed elsewhere and my shelf still has some gaping holes in it.

The most I ever spent on a CD was a bonus that came with a 3x3 Eyes DVD set.  I had to import an entire DVD box set for just that CD, estimated cost is about $120 after all costs considered.

The most I spent on a VGM CD was the Phantom Brave OST.  Of course, I had to buy the LTD Ed game, total cost was around $80.

I paid $125 for a used Falcom Special box '94.  Past OOP purchases, though, were about $60-$80 per album.

Rockman X Alph Lyla with Toshiaki Ohtsubo. $70.01
Star Fox. $66

Both are now a little cheaper and for some reason the Rockman X album is worth almost the price of it's original value (especially on Yahoo Japan Auctions).

Lots...  but I have long sought complete ninja ryuukenden (jap ninja gaiden) cd's, as well as the axelay ost and yeah, the dodonpachi/esprade ost (which I'd have by now if I haven't been so short on money in the past 6 months). There's a few more... oh, the zero wing ost would be cool Fortunately I have most of my want list (though I overpaid for much of it!). I just keep an eye out on YJA for the items I want at the price I want... I'm no longer in a hurry to pay much beyond what I have to... though when the big ones appear, you gotta be willing to bid big... it's fun too

$160 for DKC2 (Japan release)

I'd pay $200 for Mystical Ninja Starring Goemon for the N64 (hint, hint).

The closest I can come is I paid $150 for all three Ys IV Perfect Collections in one bundle.  I've never paid even close to $100 for an individual album.  The best I can do is $100 for a game, which I paid once for Dracula X (PC Engine) and once for Panzer Dragoon Saga.  Both quite worth it!

The most I ever paid for a soundtrack was $80.  That was for Tactics Ogre OST (I wonder if avatar! had anything to do with that!?).  Hehe!  Before that, the most I paid was $60 for Majora's Mask Orchestrations from Yawara back in early 01'.

Fwa ha! I only paid $84 for Drac X. I wonder why they never just released it as a GBA title. Despite some sound quality loss for the music, the translation would be effortless on today's hardware.

And I hope you're enjoying it
Definitely well spent money in my opinion!

cheers,

-avatar!

There are only 2 CDs I've payed over $100 for, they are:

*Super Metroid - Sound In Action
*Phantasy Star Sound Collection 1

Other than those 2, there are a few in the $60 - $80 range (including many that usually go for well above $100, like Gradius Gaiden OGS, Devil Summoner - Soul Hackers OST, the Double Dragon 2 arrange album, and a few others).

Usually though, $60 is the absolutely highest I'm willing to go to, and that is pushing it. Seeing as I've collected every OOP VGM CD I want (like XLord007, I spent some time in gathering them all), I don't think I'll go over the $60 pain threshold again.

I'm only focusing on new stuff now.

Unlike most people here in this thread I dont own anything really rare. Then again I don't own that many vgm cd's at all.

The most I've ever paid was $65 for Ys 4 PC vol.1 ($60 & $55 for the other two respectively). I will never pay more than $30 for a cd again though. I truelly wish I could own the Phantasy Star Sound Collections....vol.II went for $75 a couple of months back!

You know, I think the most I payed for a single (1CD) CD is *still* $40, and that was a 'normal' purchase through one of the retailers.....Tokyopop I think...either Grandia Vent and/or Sakura Wars 2 Vocal. I managed Mystic Quest for even less than that...
I think the most I've ever payed on a single CD set is $175 (?) for the Sailor Moon  Music Box (10 CDs).

-Joshua

The most I've ever paid for a single cd is $27.52, the reason is simple. Why waste your money on a cd when it could be put to better use. Also I like to find deals so yeah...

The most I paid for was my Zelda S & D, for $150.

But I consider myself pretty lucky; I've been patient enough to come across rare opportunities for good deals.

I got my Beyond the Beyond for about $18, Ninja Ryukenden for about $20, Bare Knuckel I & III osts for about 1000 yen each, and Shining the Holy Ark for $50. So waiting seemed worth it.

Still I wouldn't mind paying alot for

Super Mario 3 - Hop Step Jump
Shining Wisdom
and Double Dragon 2

Say,

I got Kingdom Kearts for $15 - is that good deal?

I paid $200 each for Phantasy Star Sound Collection 1 and Dracula New Classic, managed to get Phantasy Star SC 2 for $130 though - which I wasn't expecting.

Paid $100 a piece for Gradius Perfect Selection, Final Fantasy Tactics.

A little less (around the $70-100 mark) for stuff like Super Shinobi & Works, Valkyrie Profile, Konami Shooting Battle II...

Not VGM, but I just bought the Kimagure Orange Road 7-CD set for $370.

My holy grail of soundtracks is the Urusei Yatsura Complete Music Box, which I'd basically pay anything for. I'd sell rare games, OSTs, vital organs... whatever to raise the funds for it.

If it is in mint condition, depending on how long ago you bought it.

What is this Urusei Yatsura and why do you desire it so much?
Just curious...

cheers,

-avatar!

It's my favourite anime series, one that had a huge range of superb music and songs. The CMB contains pretty much all the music ever made for the show, OVAs and films with a few exceptions. Plus it's just a really nice package

my the most expensive purchase...I know these were set extremely high:

Super Mario World ~ Piano Collections - $420(I think, it was long time ago)
Kirby Fountain of Dreams - $320
these were the tops, there were "several" others that exceeded $250(LiveALive Limited Edition for instance - by the way, very underrated soundtrack, terrific music)
from anime soundtracks - Moomins Soundtrack from 1990(this was $190), brilliant soundtrack by Sumio Shiratori - highly recommended(very cheerful compositions that reminds a bit of a Nintendo) - I watched this anime as a kid and still has magical flair to it.

Is there any difference in the music of the limited edition?  I do LOVE the Live A Live ost... I've been searching for the guide book with the mini arranged CD since I got to Japan and have seen nothing of it in the stores.  I'll probably have to resort to paying too much on Yahoo Japan auctions.

Although the LAL book/CD thing is very difficult to find, I think the demand is low enough that you can probably get it for a reasonable price.  I think I paid less than $50 for mine.

thats what I thought - untill bidding war started ^_~ (I've never seen LE below $150).
there are only two tracks(about 12 minutes) but I must say - UNBELIEVABLE TRACKS, and they arent on ost(arranged music).

I paid around $75 for an authentic Japanese copy of Donkey Kong Country 2 Sound Version on Ebay. Considering how rare it shows up nowadays, i consider that a great deal. I've also paid $125 for an authentic Parasite Eve Soundtrack, that was probably the most money i've ever put down on an OST.

Thinking about it, my most expensive purchases must be Bare Knuckle I & Bare Knuckle II ost. Got 'em not so high, about 45 $ each, you can say I was lucky. Well, I would say, 'cause I've seen them finish at quite high prices here and there (on ebay).

But well, that's just to find something pricey, I tend to buy most of my stuff new & sealed, paying the price of new. So it happens I have some real treasures in my collection like Vagrant story (not so rare nor wanted since it's gonna be reprinted) or SoulHackers ost (which I always find really overpriced, even if it's good ; I bought mine in 1999) whithout having paid too much.
That's the main reason why I don't really dig for (great) (expensive) oldies.