GREAT POST! I've never thought of this but you're right in my case. I'm nostalgic and interested in the thrill of the hunt. Not surprisingly I have vintage tube gear I had to track down for months.
I always leave things half finished and so although I have my dream setup as far as the units go, my cables and wires are absolute budget. Usually by the time I get around to them I've spent all my money (another characteristic) and/or I'm feeling the need for that thrill again because I get bored easily and I'm out hunting amps or preamps or the big stuff again; and again leaving the cables for later. I've never owned good cables because of these 'issues!'
I also need to be stimulated or jump started is more like it, with just about everything. So my system is geared for LOUD rocking abstract jazz (COLTRANE) that sounds live at high volume...the only way for me to listen w/o getting bored.
Again, great post. (I'll be in the closet bawling my eyes out if anyone needs me.)