Retired audiophile?

I too have been retired for a few years now. I have to budget my money carefully but that was a given  so it is not a problem. I started in audio in the early 70's and have run the gambit as to equipment. I have kept a list of items purchased for the hobby and it is crazy to see the amount of money spent over the years. I have experienced some hearing loss and being a stubborn geezer have not tried hearing aids as yet. This loss has changed my way of listening however. I acknowledge the fact that some frequencies are lost or diminished. I also realize that things have to be a little louder than in the past. What this has done speaker-wise is I now have a very open and dynamic speaker that projects a wide soundstage that compensates for the loss of frequencies. I sold my Sonus Fabers because they were too polite and not open enough. I am thoroughly spoiled by my computer set-up and recently adding Hi-Rez Tidal has complimented it. The only thing I will spend money on in the near future are speaker cables (I need a better match) and a better USB cable. I have hunkered down for the long haul. Now I just want to "Enjoy the music".   

Another reason music gains even more ground on sound-for-sounds-sake as one reaches retirement age, is the growing awareness of one's mortality, and the finite number of hours left in one's life in which to listen to music. Those remaining hours are now too precious to fritter way on purely audiophile concerns and matters. Speaking for myself, of course.

The nature of hearing is such that whenever a veil is lifted, the ear/brain quickly recalibrates itself to the new normal. Hence, the sound may have improved, but one's appreciation for that improvement tends to fade. Some of my most gratifying listening sessions were with primitive equipment from the 70's, before I knew anything about high fidelity.

Raptor88, sorry I missed your post until now.  I'm partial to the Clear Day balanced silver interconnects.  Clear Day (Paul Laudati) used to sell only speaker wires, also silver, and more recently introduced a line of interconnects.  They're not expensive, for what they are, and I couldn't be happier with them. 

For me, I too am extemely happy with my system, at leas the electronics, and my new passion has become learning as much as possible about loudspeakers, and DIY, while applying that to learning about 'sound' that way.  I am very much done with the crazy prices for more equipment, unless I build it myself.  I am just finishing up a 125 liter 12" SB Acoustics woofer cabinet, taking my time and doing it as perfectly as possible.  Gonna use it with my Volti Audio horns and upgraded crossovers.  This is extremely rewarding for me, especially since I am near retirement also. I guess I am not downsizing at all, 'cuz two 125 liter (4.5 cubic feet cabinets) is a large affair.  This is fun, and if you have the inclination, I would heartily suggest that you give it a go.  Too fun.