Wasted Years.

Started upgrading my system shortly after I started on Audiogon (coincidence?).  Over 25 years later now, I sometimes sit back and ask myself, "what rainbow are you still chasing?"  The vast variety of new music available through the addition of digital streaming has been a great impetus for me to refocus on the music instead of the gear.  The only meaningful changes to my system in the past 5 years have been in the digital realm, which is not surprising.  

They are both relevant and can be exclusive or inclusive. 

@mulveling 

Often the learning process takes longer than we'd like. Sometimes waaaay longer...but on the flip side, those tend to be the lessons we REALLY learn. It's part of the process nonetheless, so I'd hesitate to call it "wasted" time.

The same could be said for many pursuits in life. It's certainly true of the arts. 

It's easy in this hobby to miss the forest for the trees. Lots of folks around here have their noses glued to the bark.

I don't consider any of my past audio endeavors as wasted, it was like a survey course in that I had to learn and experience different presentations to come to a preferred presentation. I've found once you get to a 'certain' level of resolution/ transparency that never fails to engage its all a matter of presentation. 

The greatest angst I felt was the years spent in attempting to reach a level of resolution/transparency that was always engaging. This was a real slog in that while I'd at times realize my goals here there was often only temporary bliss. For me there were no short cuts, much time, effort, expenditures, fine tuning, butt in the end I've reached my goal whereas every listening session is a totally immersive, engaging musical experience. 

And I'm still not done, I'm now enjoying various presentations via relatively easy rotation of a couple dacs, three amps and two preamps in various permutations. And I"m planning on adding at least one more amp to the brigade, this all great enjoyment for both the audiophile and music lover in me.