Mapman, I can relate to your impressions... Due to age, 'changing fortunes', and the price of 'high end' components becoming stratospheric and subtle to the point of near mania, I walked away from it for a time. I'd look at impressive and/or elegant displays of other's collections with the regard that I hold for other societal 'bling'....exotic cars, exotic 'trophy wives', esoteric golf clubs made of unobtainium (I don't play, BTB), and other 'high maintenance' objects of desire. And Yes, It Is All About The Music. What we listen to, what makes your neurons fire, the memories and thoughts and emotions that stir. Loud, soft, fast, slow, the drive of the kick drum, the nuance of a piano well stirred....
How we 'get there' or have done so isn't as important as the arrival.
I have a polyglot of equipment that does what it do well enough for Me. *S* Others may sniff, but I don't need nor desire an attachment to mere devices, other than my DIY project. I look at it the way some relate to their garden....something to grow and make bloom for my personal satisfaction. They're not perfect. They may never be 'perfect', but I've found more involvement in the pursuit of 'growing' them then I've ever had previously in the 'audio hobby' realm....
Which, truthfully, does go to show ya' that we all have our of levels of 'mania'. *L* I've been doing the improbable for so long with so little that now I'm trying to do the impossible with nothing. And that has it's own reward. Flawed as they are, I can stop you in your tracks.
When I can get a jaw to drop, stop talking, and make someone Really Listen...
I'll know I've accomplished my goal, vague as it may seem..
To each, his or her own... Be happy. Enjoy where you are. It's all very transitory anyway, so get into the transit of it all. ;)
