Lone wolf. I tend to look at these 'hot' items as faddish. Although, that's not always true, it is more often the case.
As for the never ending trail of cycling through components, it may explain more about one's personality, or one's listening experience than the product's quality. We all need to learn how to listen, what qualities to listen for, and which qualities are most important to us. I put linearity and transparency at the top of my list, with orchestral music as the primary source for revealing those qualities. When that's right, all other types of music and recordings will sound right.
As for the never ending trail of cycling through components, it may explain more about one's personality, or one's listening experience than the product's quality. We all need to learn how to listen, what qualities to listen for, and which qualities are most important to us. I put linearity and transparency at the top of my list, with orchestral music as the primary source for revealing those qualities. When that's right, all other types of music and recordings will sound right.