Rate these on order of importance:

Well Nrchy, the first time I heard Jimi hendrix (my favorite) it was on some cheap midi-set, with a worn-out needle, and the record was even worse..... Still, now owning a bit different system, I never re-captured the magic of that moment. So if I had to choose between some million-dollar equipment without music or an old walkman with flimsy headphones but with a lot of tapes.... well, for me looking at a pile of equipment ain't enough (although I have to admit that it ads a lot to the pleasure of listening!).

Satch - The first time I ever had sex was pretty memorable too....well, maybe the second time! But it's not likely I'm going to repeat those same sensations, but that doesn't stop me from continuing to try! Though it may not be the same sensation, I sure wouldn't want to live without it. I'd guess that if you had the choice now between listening to Hendrix on that same worn out stereo you first heard it on, and a much better one, you'd still choose the better one. The experience you are speaking of has nothing to do with the gear at all, which I suppose is exactly your point. But the same kind of magic you experienced that first time could have happened on a $50K system if that's what you had heard it on. My point is that all this is besides the point!! The subject of the thread is focusing on the gear, and you are referring to a sensation entirely outside of the chain of the system. But I do get your point. I have a memory of the very first time I heard a really good system that quite literally seemed to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand upl. I have no recollection of the music that was playing, but I do remember the components in the system and the sensation of the system disappearing and the music being in the room in a three dimensional space. I think I have yet to duplicate THAT experience just because of the novelty of it at that time. BUT if I were to take my system at home and pit it up against that very system I have no doubt at all that I'd prefer my current system. I also have no doubt that the experience of hearing that first system that turned me on to high end would be entirely different to me now, just as listening to Hendrix might be entirely different to you now that you've explored every note for many years no doubt.

Marco

And tried to play every note, and found out I'm was not born to be a guitar-hero.... Yeah, I suppose you're right. I just spend more money on music then on equipment, so to me focussing on the gear is not that interesting anymore. Hey, would that mean I've got a perfect system, since I don't want to change? Or am I just getting lazy? Hmmmm....
As for sex: it;s getting better every time.......