Being a music lover the concept of owning a great system was a spector in the back of my mind seemingly from birth. Over the years various friends had nice rigs and the seeds that would one day bloom were planted by them.
In my early 20's a first step was taken with a Marantz receiver-based system. Loved it! That era was too short lived as soon after its purchase a burglar decided he liked it (and damned near everything else in the house) more. Though disappointed with this turn of events, the desire didn't die.
A gig selling audio gear immeasureably raised the ante. That experience taught much provided much insight into what level of equipment would begin to quench the still burning fire. It had a bad side in that for years that which fit the budget "wasn't good enough." Only revolution would do, not evolution! But a man can only stand so much and reaching the breaking point a mid-fi system was purchased. While better than nothing, it provided little to feed a musically starved soul.
An impromptu visit to an audiophile store a few years ago broke the dam. That little venture turned into a long series of auditions that spanned several years. The revolution had begun and it would be waged strategically.
This past year, more than 25 years from when the saga began the "dream system" became a reality. It's actually not quite finished and, as others have already said, it may never be. But for now I'm up to my ears in bliss.
So, to answer the question it took 25 years. Yes, 44 years old and I consider this my first "real" system. What's in it is secondary because everything from here on is icing on the cake. Pardon me, it's time to put a new disc on.
