Yes, it has taken me 35+ years to get where I am at. I am seriously happy, if I were to buy what I have at all new prices, I would not be able to have what I have. Bought a lot of what I have used, and could not be happier.
For me, my stereo is very nice, and bests everyone in my family, even my old cousins who started me out on this darn hobby!
My 2 cousins appreciate coming and listening to music with me. They appreciate a good sound, nice bass, smooth mids &;treble.
**some friends, have no clue about audio, or prices, etc, or don’t care or even know about speakers, amps, etc etc and could care less about a new CD player, or amp, anything. I don’t boast to them,as they don’t care anyway.
My cousins love to hear my system with good music and some cold hop soup & good company! As long as I love what I have, I don’t care what anyone else thinks!
If you love what you have, .....a average receiver with average speakers, or some 100K - 500K$ uber MBL setup, listen and enjoy it. Some have a 150K system, n think it’s mediocre. Drop the needles and enjoy music w friends!
HAPPY LISTENING!