How long do you or should you keep your gear.

Rather than how long does one wait to chuck stuff out, a more interesting question for me is how long does one wait to release/buy new (not necessarily better, could be just another version, perhaps worse) technology.

They are two completely different issues.

Another alternative, Carlsbad, is to focus your time and energy on improving the sound produced by the gear you already own.  This can be a lot more rewarding and considerably less expensive.  A different kind of challenge...

Ariston RD11S in use since 1977! Original belt still good - it gets an occasionall wipe down with Armor All. Presently has a Grace 707 arm/Denon 103 cartridge mounted.

In 1980 I bought a JBL L212 system (3 speakers including a 12 inch sub).. They were about 2 grand, and I thought they sounded incredible..  Amps, dacs, turntables, have come and gone, but I still have those speakers, and love them as much as day one.

@elliottbnewcombjr your gear setups is “goals,” as the kids say🤘