a rant

I consider myself lucky to have been introduced to high end stereo in the 80's when there were brick and mortar stores aplenty in NYC. I got to listen to a wide variety of equipment and understand what I liked and didn't. Reviews didn't really have much impact upon me, I just knew what sounded good to me.

Fast forward to the 2010's when I finally had some money to spend, and knowing what I liked helped me obtain the system I always dreamed of (and buy it used).

Bob

I chased gear the first few years I was in the game in the early to later 80s...lots of amps, speakers, TTs, etc, but by 1989 I had acquired the same speakers, amps, and preamp I use now. It’s really been a matter of refinement since then...tube rolling, bi-amping, mods, configuration changes, etc. I don’t read reviews, don’t go into audio stores, and have a much slower, calculated approach to my next move than the early days. I also think the system sounds better than ever. It gets enjoyed more than ever too, but maybe the listener isn’t as picky as he used to be (though I doubt it! )

Luckily I never had your problem (with a mortgage, 3 kids, their college loans and a sick mother who is the cheapest of all (only a few grand a month) I can afford to chase 30 year old $30 amps on shopgoodwill) 

I reached the point in my audiophile journey that you are in right now about four years ago.  At age 65 and now retired, I put my retirement system together then, and now, I'm content for the duration.  I've got a great system, I'm tire of dumping money into the hobby endlessly, and I'm just tired of chasing the cat!!!  Life's good. Happy listening

Themproblem is learning what you want gear to perform like and not basing your decisions and self worth on others ideas.