Still lost at sea?

I remember when I first got back into this hobby after a twenty five year layoff, I couldn't believe what had happened in the area of cabling, power conditioning and room correction. Back then, you bought some equipment, made a quick trip to Radio Shack and you were up and running.
I made all the classic mistakes. I got impressed with certain components, so I put them all together with used Valhalla cabling and then wondered how such great stuff could sound so bad!
So I paid some pretty painful restocking fees, and started listening to the local gurus.
I've been to several HES's and CES's; never miss RMAF, and today I really know what I like, and how to get there.
I can totally relate to your last comment about not wanting to screw up what you've got. I have a total lack of audio nervosa, and the more I listen to my current setup, the more enamored I get.
There have been some definite "aha" moments; but the biggest one was when I stopped listening for what impressed me, and started listening for absolute neutral. All the systems that impressed me in the past within a few months had me saying "OK. What's next?" With neutral as my "holy grail", the software becomes the focus, and not the system.
You are so right. Being in a good place in this hobby is nice; but I don't think we were foolish before; I just think the dues in this hobby are pretty steep.

Sr,

You have two steps to go.

I am still on the ship and loving it. The boat is something one gets into when the ship is sinking.

For many the fun is the journey, not the destination.
It's an on going hobby.

Azaud,

Some good thoughts on the dues of the hobby. I have not faired so well in the $$$ area of my buying /selling.

Started out reading Stereophile and putting together the class A system. Then the class a components were lowered to class B and I was screwed. How can you have class B gear running in you system when you can have class A was my thinking.

Turning to vinyl was a whole new world. Digital sucks was my thoughts when I got the complete analog thing going! Soon the inability to keep the dam thing up and running and cleaning records was to much and I got out. Digital still sucks next to vinyl but for me the price was to high.

Moving to PC audio was the final resting place for me. Some my think that I got shipwrecked by doing so but the benefits of PC audio Vs. vinyl was worth it to me. Having a freiend that has zillions of cd's and letting me rip them @ no cost has built up my music library. My wife has filed all her music and can listen to it during the day when I am gone. She knows how to turn on a pre amp/amp. Having my vinyl set up was OFF limits to her having a ten foot rule in effect. Having the wife involved in my hobby has made the change from vinyl to PC worth it.