Why so much????

I probably have "too much" by your standards. However, I like being able to grab what I want to hear off the shelf whenever I want it and I like to hear alternative performances of many pieces. So, the collection grows continuously.

Kal

1.More than you need or want.

2.Some were impulse or curiosity buys;I probably listen to about half, three or four times as much as the other half.

3.I hope not,but how would I know?

Why would any one care how or why anyone else chooses to spend their money, let alone find it necessary to comment on it? As far as this hobby goes I'd far rather spend my money on software I can listen to, even if only occasionally, or even if only kept for reference, than hardware that comes and goes with the seasons, but that is my choice. If you want to spend all of your money on hardware and only listen to 2 pieces of music thats yours. And if you don't want to spend money on either, find another hobby. Personally, when I read comments from folks who question "conspicious consumption" I think of words like envy and jealosy and classless.

1) Too much is when all the great music is purchased and one is then buying only mediocre music (to his/her ears) -- I suspect that is in the thousands somewhere.

2) Great music is its own reward -- that's why I am in the hobby.

3) Absolutely. Otherwise I wouldn't be in this hobby.

In the case of classical music there is reason to have several recordings of the same piece. Particularly for concertos, there are many excellent soloists who have different interpretations, and it is interesting to compare them.