Only preference for SET amps and high efficiency speakers has remained over the long term. Not much remains of my system from 10 years ago, some IC's, power conditioner, dedicated listening room and AC lines. Sometimes I wish I could time travel, compare my system from all those years ago directly to present system.
I have long kept audio journal, looking back at entries up until around seven years ago I see I was one frustrated audiophile, revolving more than evolving. Still, all that circling round was learning experience, couldn't have arrived here without those experiences.