HOW LONG DID YOU HAVE TO WAIT TO GET....

Jorge; Jeff and Snooker (above) have it right IMO. Much of the enjoyment is in the journey. But to answer your question, I seriously doubt that I will ever actually possess a "dream system" as the target is always changing, and sometimes rapidly. In the mean-time continue to build your music collection as you improve your system. The music will never go out of style-- even as formats change. Enjoy the trip. Craig

garfish is right. i've been at this 30+ years and have a system most folks would classify in the "dream" range. as for me? i'm about to upgrade my pre/dac and entire analogue frontend. -kelly

Go take a look at the " what does your system retail for" thread. No matter what you have, you all ways want that next little step to whats better. Try to get your system to a level that makes you happy and take your sweet time from there to get to the top dollar stuff. The longer you wait the cheaper that used stuff will be when you get there. Good luck.

No money spoke for me too; I started 25 yrs ago with a little Philips integrated TT with separate speakers. For years I added to the music collection and, when I could afford it, I upgraded the equipment with used items. I reached my "best" system 5 yrs ago (but had to sell that). Started again, and am moving up again... I can add that some items, such as a TT, could remain in your system for years: you reach a satisfactory performance level you can live with for a long time -- even as you upgrade the rest of the system. My 15yrs old Zarathustra TT has survived many tribulations. It's still there. There are many better TTs out there -- however, other items took priority.
As everyone has noted, the "absolute" component is a furtive concept... many mega components of yesterday are superceded by their replacements of today, etc, building materials quality often improves... IMHO, the fun is in the listening (to music), and how well we enjoy. Cheers!

WOW, maybe I will just stop posting... I didn't think that would get me a -2,-2..... Just trying to help. I retract my posts, go get a second mortgage and buy everything new right now ! There is that better?