Do you spend more on audio than your income allows

It takes money to get into the hobby, but now I try to sell off something to pay off or offset substantially the 'upgrade' that replaces it. That being said, I am obsessed with gear, no doubt. sometimes i think the music is the means to the gear, not the other way around. i cruise agon daily to window shop, check out the gear and Google to lean more, and read up on these forums. I've given up spending on pretty much every other indulgent item and devote funds almost exclusively to audio. My fun comes from lusting over, reading about and trying new components (no real audio stores around me...so sad), and being the frugaholic that I am, always try for what I consider to be a great deal.

I could spend (save) more responsibly, no doubt. Patience and will power were never my strong virtues.

The way I look at it, since hearing declines with age, why wait till you can't hear to be able to afford a great system

Well said man! Indeed, this excellent excuse has long been a notion that I emphatically embrace.

"The way I look at it, since hearing declines with age, why wait till you can't hear to be able to afford a great system"

Of course, this opens up the question how well must one be able to hear in order to enjoy listening to music?

Interestingly, as I get older and my hearing changes, as it does for us all, but also as the senses I have overall become more "well tuned" per se as a result of experience, it seems I have to spend more and more to get the sound right.

I haven't hit 50 yet, but it seems I may be becoming more of an old codger in some ways sooner rather than later.

Tholt, in most ways your post sounds like me, although I am simply trying to get to a satisfying system after a long trial and error and then be done. For me the trial and error, buying, selling, spending and spending, auditioning, has not been fun. What will be fun is one day sitting back and really enjoying the music I hear from my system. The gear changing and corresponding expense has not been fun.

Foster, that's too bad. i can't imagine doing what I'm doing if it wasn't fun. I find it extremely fun -- the only downside is the considerable cash outlay. I find myself lost in dreaming of upgrades, what's available on agon, and doing research. I'm in the honeymoon period of audiophilism. Those things in and of themselves take up a lot of time I devote willingly. In fact, it's when I can't justify another upgrade that I get antsy. I fully expect and anticipate this obsessive pace to wain, as I get closer to achieving a satisfying stereo and accepting along the way that the 'perfect' sound will for me, probably always sound better then what I actually hear. Great reality check for liking what you have.

Here's hoping you find contentment sooner rather then later.