If you started over what would you do differently?


We've all learned a lot through our purchases and experience. If you were to start all over again, what would you have done differently?
lakefrontroad
Most of my regrets are software related.

I bought too many LP's that were doubles (MFSL) or just any MFSL that came into the stores where i used to shop around 1990 eventhough I didnt care for the music. I know they have some slight value above what I paid (about $10-$13 each), but I just dont have the time and inclination to sell them on ebay.

And the two titles I wished I had bought copies of I recently found on ebay or here for less than $100 each (RLJ Pop Pop Alto and Athena Rahmaninoff)

ALso wished I had bought some more UHQr;s and wish I didn't sell my almost unplayed Sinatra MFSL box set for less than $300 after I realized I wasn't a gig Frank fan)

As far as gear, my evolution has been pretty good, and no real wrong turns. except I have not seemed to sell all of my previous gear when I upgraded over the last 2 years. Have to list it here and be prepared to get what I can.

One another note though, I have some gear from very small little known manufacturers (like Source technology Speakers) that are excellent but hard to sell since they are not known.

I am still tempted by these deals of amazing sound quality for spectacular prices, (often factory direct) but again they will be hard to sell when the times comes (unless of course the company really takes off and become an audiophile staple). I will never again think of a Wilson buyer as making a mistake, as those can be sold in a heartbeat.

I am seriously thinking about buying a new speaker line because it represents an outstanding value, but of course will someday be facing a similar dilmena as my Source Tech's but on a much higher financial plane.

One thing I don't regret was 16 years ago buying some used Atma-sphere MA1's. I played with them on and off over the years, always being tempted back to solid state if many tubes blew out at once, but eventually I retubed them and found they sounded better than SS. I had no trouble selling those for a good price and upgrading to brand new MA1's.

So I guess well regarded tube gear is perhaps a better investment?
If I were to start over, I would be able to retire and drive some hot wheels! I have nobody but only my family to blame for. Started at a very young age. Anyway it has been a cool 25+ yrs in high end audio...so not regrets.
I would have been very careful reseaching the system I like the sound of. I started by buying to much garbage from various sources. Worst of all ebay .I honestly think I have bought 3 TTs from them, cheapos of course that broke down quickly or never worked, andsame with preamps.The tube have been mostly OK but it's a hit on miss endeavor
...IF I HAD IT TO DO ALL OVER AGAIN...

...learned the piano instead of the Trumpet.

.... Bet a lot more money on joe Namath's Jets, instead of Johnny U and his Colts

...I'd have either finished college, or stayed in the military longer.

...never ever, listened to the really, really great sounding gear in the first place.

...put everything I had and then some into yahoo when it first went public.

... just bought a good receiver vs. trying to do a high end HT rig in the first place.

...would have left SS alone, and just started with tube gear and all separates.

...would have invested in better wiring right up front regardless.