Has Your Hobby Changed?

moonwatcher, re:

 After I add about $5K in new speakers, a streamer and a DAC, and a 2M Blue cartridge, I’ll be done and ready to just enjoy the music. Yeah, I’m sure there is better sound out there, but can my 65-year-old ears really hear it? Not sure. I still love knowing what great gear is out there and what people get out of it.

I'm with you. I guard my hearing like crazy, but think about how much to invest since I too have 65-year-old ears. I can hear up to 12KHZ well, and I hope that holds. I know someone who helped assemble a million dollar system for an 80 year old man. He says the guy's philosophy is he can't take the $$ with him, and though he can only hear to 8KHZ, it is a glorious 8KHZ!

My system is also modest, like yours, but sounds pretty darn good to me. Of course, I would have a much grander system if I won the lotto jackpot! It really is fun to see what other people are doing with their systems, though frustrating because I would love to listen to them in person. 

The biggest improvement I made several years ago was to switch to ROON for streaming. I have discovered so much more new music and so many artists that I never would have found without it. I can't recommend it enough. Every time i listen it's like a treasure hunt, exploring new music. I get lost in it for hours.

Cheers

Much the same here too. I have converted from analog to digital over the years, mostly for convenience. My Oracle turntable has been replaced by an Apple Airport Express streaming lossless, and I love it. The DAC's are so much better than the ones from the 80's. I find I'm listening to the music now and not the equipment IYKWIM. Loving my system!

Congratulations on the retirement, it may take a bit to slow down, it took me a few months just to get my stride. Been retired for a few years now, still work sometimes but that has slowed as well. I have re-investing in my music hobby since my retirement (the need to work sometimes to pay for it!) and am reasonably happy with my system now as reconfigured, mostly tubed system, my need for better quality was apparent as my listening sessions (2 to 3 hours per session, usually daily), showed I had some deficiencies.  I enjoy both digital and my vinyl (but lean to the vinyl as having that holistic quality). Before I retired my system was 40 years old and was mostly used in the background. The guitars and banjo's have also been in regular use in retirement. Music is a major part of my life in retirement and I couldn't be happier! Enjoy! 

@ boxcarman

Streaming has basically changed everything both for audio and video. Qobuz has been awesome and Netflix, Paramount Plus ...gets it done 'pretty well' on the video side. I've been in and out of retirement for the last 15 years, but finally settling down to enjoy these systems more than ever before. Most recent changes have been to recable and add room acoustic elements with which I am amazed. My wife and I reside in NW Wyoming near Yellowstone Park. Lots to do and be thankful for. Nice to have this hobby especially when it's cold, windy and snowy here in the Shoshone Valley which was especially true this past winter. Starlink has been a necessary element in the mix as well.

I must say I too have been on your same journey with the only difference being I have enjoyed the music during to whole journey. For me it has never been about the system first. Music has always been first. Have I found more enjoyment as the system got better. You bet I have but I still enjoyed the hell out of the music through my Sansui 7070 and Bose 901’s even listening to fm radio. Think the big plus is when a significant system upgrade makes all the old music sound brand new again. It’s a fun ride and always enjoy the music!