At times I wish I could just be happy with MP3/AAC playing through a Bluetooth speaker or a Bose Wave Radio like my friends, but I can't. The music deserves so much more. So do my ears. It's been a long and sometimes frustrating road to good sound but it's been worth every moment of my time, never mind the cost. My friends think I'm nuts of course. Funny though, one such friend recently commented on how good my system sounded .. "like the musicians are right here in the room with us". Thrilled my soul to be honest. However, she couldn't care less about having a stereo system of her own. Yes, a solitary pursuit for many of us. I enjoy being an audiophile for the most part and am happy to have a couple of acquaintances who at least have similar passion.