How did U get into this expensive hobby?

Jadem6; wasn't really responding to you-- more to Leafs, but I do agree that to the end user, ie you and me, that it really is "about the music". But, IMO, Audiogon is much more narrowly focused on "gear" that makes recorded music great, ie that's what drives this site-- without the gear, no Audiogon. I will admit that the music threads here are some of my favorites, and I usually participate in them. Yes, this hobby is expensive because of the gear, but Audiogon has helped me increase music quality, while keeping gear costs down-- this is a really valuable service. I'll stand by my above post. Cheers. Craig.

Craig, there is no doubt about it. Look at all the threads. If you went through them all I would bet at a minimum 90% are related to gear. Not a bad thing. I am less here for the music than input on the gear that makes the music come alive. It wouldn't take too much effort to confirm this casual observation. Does it mean that people here are gearheads? I think not. This forum is as you say more related to buying selling and exchanging information about gear and how it affects the music we listen to.

In regards to Leaf's comments about buying gears with his ears without ever reading into a magazine. I believe most us end up buying with our ears. Reading or researching using what ever media that's easily available to us at the time, allows us to narrow number of gears to a manageable process. It would be almost impossible, thought I wouldn't mind if I had the time and the resources, to go audition all dealers around my area. Infact, this web forum is just an extention of the magazine media. By reading the magazine and knowing what to ask in this forum makes the buying process a more educated one. Using a magazine media alone to make a purchasing descision on is pure foolishness. I don't trust Stereophile or magazines like it simply because they have something at stake even though they say their editorial dept. operates independently from their advertising dept; who really knows right? This is why I come to this forum hoping to get a second/third/fourth unbias feedbacks. But this forum only works if the user knows specifically what to ask. Although I was introduced to this hobby by a magazine, it doesn't make me less of a music lover. Infact, I lover of music so much that my music room is the only room in the house my wife cannot and will never decorate. Just so you don't think I am just B.S.'ing I've spent 10 years of short life playing music through my youth and into my early 20's. I only stop because I couldn't make enough money at it to live comfortably. I will enventually get back into it when I retire.

Shut up Leafs, anything you say will only dig you deeper.

Leave him alone,whats you point??