What's your profession? Age?

Wetland/soil scientist, nearing the big 5-0. If y'all promise to send presents, I'll even reveal the date!

I'm still not sure what I want to be when I grow up (I'm 46), but for now I drive a tractor trailer. I owned my own but sold it after 10 years to spend more time at home, which includes the stereo. Value ~17,500 retail which translates into worth half that. I also have a fully equipped garage & that is my true refuge from the world as it is detached. I'm not sure if I'm going to finish my geography degree or become a professional photographer. Note: That is today's plan subject to change at my whim.

29 year old litigator in one of those big old NYC lawfirms. The upgrade bug is riding me hard, but so far I have limited myself to about 13k retail (with about 11k in 2 channel and 2k in HT) for a fair bit less than that actually spent. It looks as if I am still but a poor stepchild in the audiophile pantheon, but there's still time....

Mezmo, with the salaries and bonuses we've been paying you young whippersnappers, I can't believe you are a poor stepchild :>)!! I'd think your main problem would be having any time to enjoy your system, given your profession.

Ha! Rcprince, I cannot in good faith deny the wisdom of your words -- on all counts. Though, I have to admit, I can still only imagine approaching a system that clocks in around the digits posted by many of the audiogon illuminati around these parts. But, (at the risk of repeating myself and with the appropriatly resigned twinge of quasi-self-deprication) there's still time... Cheers, Mezmo