We pay for experience in only two ways...
Money.... Some must buy and collect many pieces of gear to learn, it is fun if you can afford it...
I could not...
I paid by reading , experimenting and gave my only cash money : my time ....
I can assure you that a low cost system can make someone happy if he know what to do ...
It is more fun to learn and be creative than to purchase one piece each month...
Or to buy a costly piece each few years...
Nothing replace understanding not even money...
Some few here can afford the best money can give and be also creative and study and experiment ... But reading here for 8 years now i know it is the very few ...
most dream to upgrade at high cost ...
I listen music now...A lot of music...