If there’s an audiophile exit ramp, this ain’t it…

Oh, soldering and the means of doing so...

Don't buy a Home Despot cheapie (or not so much), Parts Express has decent ones that have a handy stand for a hot iron.

Chasing one that's threatening to roll off the desk can cure that impulse if you snag the wrong end.... ;)

Most of us chase the dragon with varying degrees of intensity; and, we all have to deal with that in our own way. The main question is do you have the discipline to control this; or, do you let life circumstance (spouse, retirement, job loss, medical issues, etc) make your decision for you.

But, to me, the wild card is that audiophilia is probably our favorite and most expensive hobby. God knows we all need one of those. So, this allows you the option to make exceptions or justify continuing to chase the dragon......and, that's where the conflict comes from.

any pursuit can be taken over the top, one needs to measure, based on one’s own internal compass, what is a positive amount of passion versus what is too much

one also needs self awareness, introspection and self-honesty about whether you are really made happy by the experience of ’chasing’ the next good feeling, and/or whether the continuing chase is counterproductive to other life priorities

that said, i have found over time that it is good to have multiple hobbies and pursuits, and good to take some time and space away from any particular one, so that when you reconnect with that activity it brings good feelings and confirms why you loved it so much in the first place

That is the hidden trap that to many step in. They love the music then read some articles that talk about depth width sound stage timber bass and on and on. They soon stop loving the music and start dating their system. Only to realize that when they were in love with the music it was as loyal as their dog that never questioned them and was always at the door to great them. The new love called system is the girl friend who is always late demanding critical and looking to get a new tattoo every month. Break up with system, go back to your first love music and ask for forgiveness music is vary forgiving and nonjudgemental!

It looks like your speakers are pretty new how are you liking them? That Absolare integrated is supposed to be pretty killer and great reviews does it drive the Graham's well? You seem to have tweaked your system pretty well already. What I''m getting at is by any estimation you have a great system. A lot of times there isn't better there's just different. Buy some new music or go back and listen to some long ago old favorites see how great they sound on your great system.