I agree with @geoffkait that one addiction is often dealt with by replacing it with another (the shrinks can weigh in on that one).
The solution I proposed-- chasing records (whatever your medium) at least gives you more to feed the machine and is aimed at what I think is the whole purpose of this hobby- to reproduce music for enjoyment. At least that's how I got off the hamster wheel. (I still change cartridges, replace worn tubes, etc. but I'm not seeking equipment).
Maybe I'm an oddity in this- I will put together a system and once it is 'good' in my estimation, I'm not really in the market. Over the years, I have assembled a number of systems, but it's not like I'm constantly on the search for the latest and greatest. I've kept most of my stuff in these systems a long time.
The solution I proposed-- chasing records (whatever your medium) at least gives you more to feed the machine and is aimed at what I think is the whole purpose of this hobby- to reproduce music for enjoyment. At least that's how I got off the hamster wheel. (I still change cartridges, replace worn tubes, etc. but I'm not seeking equipment).
Maybe I'm an oddity in this- I will put together a system and once it is 'good' in my estimation, I'm not really in the market. Over the years, I have assembled a number of systems, but it's not like I'm constantly on the search for the latest and greatest. I've kept most of my stuff in these systems a long time.