Is advice from a constant upgrader to be avoided

There are hobbies and then there are obsessions. Like a gambler who can never win enough to the bank robber who can never get enough, this can be seen everywhere. Throw in an audience and it becomes more than self reinforcing, bordering on addictive, and can be dangerous, not to mention damaging.

I think you're doing just fine at your present pace. Speaking for myself, I haven't bought a new component since 2013 (not counting speaker cables) and am looking forward to a new piece of gear that should last me just as long, if not longer. 

Like you alluded to, the "been there, done that" crowd sounds like nothing more than feigned bragging rights (for the most part). There are some here who eschew that attitude and their advice is easy to parse and take. You'll know it when you hear it by the way they say it.

All the best,

Nonoise

I've had most of my stuff a good 10 years+ now.  I got the urge recently to try something new. Then I listen more and think:  why?  What do I hope to gain?  No good answer other than to see what wonders newer technology might work. 

And there are vintage collectors like me. I'm a Mac collector, BUT my reference system is, Mac, Cary, VMPS, GR, DIY, Sony, Thoren, Nord, and First Watt. I pulled the Decware ZP3 it needs something.. I went back to a Rogers PA-2

There has alway's been a standing army of speakers here. I've made over 100 pairs and repaired another 150 pairs between Infinity, VMPS and a few older JBLs like C45 Ranger, Metrons or Paragons. I had a pair of Paragons. I loved them..

Strange thing most of the time I listen to a Mac MC225, MX110z, TD124 and a pair of 45 year old VMPS QSO 808s monitors.. I put a belt on the Thoren 20 years ago..I replaced one 12AX7 Telefunken, 15 years ago.. Maybe 4 or 5 cart tips. I haven't touched one thing on any of them (50+ years old). I do dust them.. They look new..oh There is a Sony ES777 I use. I did recap that.. ALL DIY cables.

Regards

I think it depends more on personality. I've gone through some gear in the last couple of years, not because something maybe be better (or not) but just to explore what is out there in a particular price range. Tubes, SS, Class A, Class AB, Class D etc etc. they all have their peculiarities. Going through it all and then "landing" on something finally is fun, frustrating, and can indeed be a bit expensive. Key is to buy right, so if you do sell it's a lateral move. Regarding opinions on said gear, I think the person that has done some swapping has a good perspective on the gear. Usually better is not the term. More often it's "different". The hard part is deciding which different is your favorite. It's a fun ride with too many toys to play with! We must be cautious. ;-)

I've had 3 turntables, 3 arms, 4 cartridges, 2 phono stages, 4 amps, 3 speakers, and roughly 3 sets of speaker cables and interconnects and 2 sets of power cords. In 30 years. That is a pretty consistent 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer, per component. 

I think you are right to question advice from people who don't know what they're doing. Which yes it is clear to me churning through gear demonstrates a lack of ability. Either that or the person simply likes change. Either way, why would you listen to them? Because if you want to be happy a long time what do they know about that? And if you just want change, what do you need them for then anyway?

So a total waste of time- and yet how right you are, makes up a lot of what we have here.

Unless, you learn how to read them. This is the art of making sense and culling useful information out of a lot of blathery randomness. A highly sought after skill, since if you can master it then guess what? You can be like me: happy as a clam, 20 years since I had a dud, and all from reading reviews and comments just like the ones around here.

Wish I could tell you how to do it. Lord knows I've tried. Maybe not lately. But search around, they're there. It doesn't happen by accident. There is a method to the madness. Happy to help any time.