How Long Did It Take You To Build Your Dream Setup?

30 years.  Started with Metal Particle IV mix tapes, then Sony Discmans, followed by thrift store Polks&JVC&Pioneer disc changers, then several rounds of pimped out car audio, followed by a dry period of marriage and young kids (no money and garage sale system), then finally just this year got what i'd been wanting since I was 12, an actual hifi system ;). Was still worth it.

It's been a love affair since I was fine tuning the gear in my car back in high school. 
Recently, I decided it was time to go all in and upgrade my system of the last 20+ years (Dynaudio  Confidence 3, Simaudio W5 and P3, Equi-Tek Power Supply) The new system less than 2 hours burn in Paradigm Persona  7F, Pass Labs XA60.8 Mono's, Prima Luna EVO 400 Pre, Lumin D2, Qobuz. I repurpsed the Power Supply and Nordost interconnects and speaker cable from the old system. I will let the amps run continuous for the next five days, but to be honest, I'm already pleased.
It was a ton of research and discussion to get to the point where I felt I had the right components, listening to each independently and reading spec sheets in infenitem. Listening and learning over the years (40+) has been a great deal of fun.

+1. mahgister....Can't always get what you want, but....;) 

Still don't have it. Probably never will. Once you have your dream set up there is no dreaming

Confucius say man who believe journey over probably not started yet.