HOW DID YOU END UP WITH YOUR DREAM SYSTEM?

When I finally reached the point of 'diminishing returns". In other words, to take the next small step forward just didn't make sense anymore. Audio has always been a rewarding hobby, but there are other things more important. 

Merry Christmas!! 

@tomic601 and if one is absolutely lost, another audiophile will pull him out of the whole and give him guidance :)

thanks again!!!

….Gabor my sensei in many dimensions of my life often said two very important things ;

Even the change ( read improvement ) agent NEEDS a change agent

There are mountains beyond this celebratory peak we stand on now..

Unlike me, he is famous for helping save Porsche

For those wishing for more… you don’t need the rarified air of 1% $$$$ to learn to….solder…

Taking time to listen to different speakers over the years is what helped me the most to get as close as I could afford within reason - and truly getting started.

From there, once I had a small batch of different speakers I liked, then re-started down the amplifier path. This helped gain a sense of direction towards what I preferred and could lean into more. Visiting with locals and their preferences saves time to learn more about what you might like more or less.

Going to audio shows helped some, and yet it actually alienated me from ultra expensive speakers I would not splurge on. Started building my own speakers more seriously again with help from various parts source providers. Got help from a few folks a lot better at crossovers than I could do as I bought higher $ parts.

What I learned fairly early on is my preference to the type of sound I like the most was not always the same as friends and colleagues (and local audiophiles) and how this can vary by individual, greatly. Learned fast what I don’t like, lol.

Another helpful tip was driving up to 5 hours away, getting up early, and going to check out audio shops with a completely different spin as to what they offered for speakers and amps compared to more local dealers. Eventually got hooked in with people who do a lot of gear mods and serious upgrades, this was the game changer for me and my own gear. 

While visiting and comparing to other systems, do bring your music with you to help compare more efficiently and effectively.   Dream system no, closer than I started with, absolutely. Be sure to listen and enjoy the music along the way.  Have fun.

@akg_ca i definitely understand how you feel. But sometimes you can get to a point of just being happy.  I’m in that place with my system.  If I won a billion right now. I wouldn’t change any of my components. Maybe I would get a better room. lol. But components I’m happy sometimes you have to allow yourself to be happy. To me that can be your dream system.