Onhwy61, in the real world (since you have first dibs on what the real world is. AND I do agree with you) people do keep their stereo systems 'til they drop. But we're audiophools, not beholding to reality. That is why we are never satisfied. Always tweaking, upgrading, lateral movements, whatever, seeking the quintessential sound within our budget range. It is fun? Probably, most people who love music and love their eternal stereos, don't know what an IC is, PC, pre, SET, and Audiogon to name a few. We are, surely, an ideosyncratic bunch. I envy the music lover-eternal-happy with-content-finger snapping lover of tunes. They may be a lot freer than me, but I love this hobby...