@linndrum888
they know it's the music which is the thing, not the gear.I've heard this said before and it never has made any sense to me. Of Course the music is "the thing". But HOW do you get the music without the gear? You DON'T. So the gear is fundamental in hearing the music. So, by its very nature, the gear IS IMPORTANT! Why? Because you won't hear music without some type of gear. I've never heard music without something playing it. I've heard the cheap gear & the expensive gear. Guess which one sounds better. So NO, Its not a Dumb hobby. But it is a dumb statement, usually made by people who will not make the sacrifice of $$$ to buy the better equipment. Each of us has our own priorities. If it is not yours then that's fine. But you shouldn't come into this type forum with that type attitude and expect your unfounded statements to be accepted by someone who has made the sacrifices to obtain better sound. Its akin to going on a Porsche forum and telling them that your Escort is every bit as good as their overpriced Porsche.