What's your profession? Age?

Eugene81, with the exception of my Radio Shack electro-static tweeter speakers, which cost $180, I use Health or Dyna kits and a AR turntable with a Stanton cartridge after I moved from cities with good fm stations.
By your age, I had moved up to Rectilinear 3 speakers and Dyna ss gear. Yes, being able to get more expensive gear comes with age, but, of course, so does inflation. In the early '70s, I had Infinity ServoStatic 1s, ARC SP-3 and two ARC Dual 75A for a total investment of $4500. I was only making $19k per year, but had book royalties.

Architect. 39.

I am a physicist currently working as an independent scientist in university. I have turn 34 this month. In the last 3-4 years, I have invested a bit more the 20k euros in my system.

I am retired electronic tech. Age 73.

So many people here have great systems. And lousy ears. If you are 40 YO and above, and think you have great ears......your Audiologist might differ with you.

My system, about $3K worth, is better than my ears....
But I still love hearing some of the old songs and remembering when me and the artist were both young.

55, musician