What's going on with the audio market?

Lotta Colorado guys in this thread. I suggest you already have the best sonic tweak available in your state. Legal weed. May need no other upgrades.

rippet - Your observation certainly applies to me. Key lies in being satisfied. Weed expedites that transition but it can be accomplished without as well. Going all the way back to the penny stock days, we see that the driving force behind or hobby has been dissatisfaction with what we own. That dissatisfaction is now focusing ever more on the whole predatory exploitive industry that evolved to exploit our dissatisfaction in the first place. 
Come on out to Colorado and grow your own tweak. It's a better DIY than tube rolling or making your home brew cables. Speaking of brew, Colorado was the birthplace of the home brewing phenomenon that grew into the craft beer industry. I would suggest that it is the best state in the country. And if those who don't agree stay away, we can keep it that way. Nice to have RMAF in your backyard too. 

Interesting examination: 
57, 35, as soon as this next system hits pay dirt!

Why the quest? Why not?
I've had what i call a scratch the surface  system. Combo 2-channel/ home theater. Anthem AVM 40, Anthem MCA 20 and 30, OPPO 95, Paradigm Studio 100s v5 and Analysis Plus Solo Crystal cabling.
Been so busy the last few years fell off the audio map and to be honest was quite content with the sound of things.

I like the Studio 100s so when I came across pictures of Paradigms 30th Anniversary Tribute speakers which I did not even know existed till a few months ago I was smitten as in lust!  Would their sound justify the upgrade cost or just look fresh like a new girlfriend? Long story short found a new pair and bought them (no audition). 

Set up the Tributes and while not night and day the outstanding difference was in the open top end of the Beryllium tweeters. The bells and cymbals stood out but were also silky and not harsh. Broke them in pretty good and cranked them up a little one day with a SACD of Steely Dan's Everything Must Go. The tight slam of the bass and drums made the  hair stand up on my neck! Wow that is impressive! Gotta move and get a dedicated room for this! 

Now I'm waist deep in the forums and like they say be careful what you look for cause............boy those Pass Labs amps get great reviews across the boards! Are my pockets deep? Not so much. 

Then why is there an X250.8 on the way? Like Chevy Chase said in vacation before he skinny dipped with Christie Brinkely.....this is crazy, this is crazy.
I'm pretty sure (and so is my wife) that I've opened a not so small can of worms! My kids are too busy to look up from their iPhones and tablets to notice.

I really hope the law of diminishing returns is not too hard on me.

We'll see  

 

55,40,0
I too am finished, I think. I buy used gear, usually without hearing it first, so I have been through quite a few changes in equipment- solid state to tubes and back again. I found I like Dynaudio, bought some C1's for a great price, have a music server with some 200 gb of music and a turntable with a good phono pre. I also have a decent headphone setup. And my hearing isn't getting any better.

Hey Macrojack.. My daughter lived in Longmont, but the flood made her move to Superior. She brought me a Left Hand Brewery T shirt and 6 pack.
good stuff, though I'm a Sapporo/Dinkleacker guy. Colorado's beautiful. Impossible to take a bad picture. Just point and shoot and you have an award winner.