a rant

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.

There are folks who cook using recipes, and those who cook using an intuition. You just know. My wife is the former while I'm in the latter camp. I've never used a cook book but I make great food. Same with stereos. I don't need reviews. I just know how to put the system together, while keeping cost in check.