Getting off the merry-go-round – AFRAID TO???

Of course there are others like you. Lots of us. There is nothing to be afraid of (save perhaps bankruptcy!) Why should you be done? Bird watchers are seldom 'done.' Ditto for NASCAR fans, square dancers or stamp collectors. You shouldn't feel you have to halt one hobby in order to partake of another.

I think most of us here -- you included -- are likely to be part gear hound and part music lover. You just need to keep in mind that there are two distinct but not mutually exclusive hobbies in play here. If you have the financial capacity, then by all mean, enjoy them both!

I, like many others, have upgrade urges, even though I am often musically satisfied with what I have. It isn't a result of a system deficiency, status or envy as much as it is plain old interest. I just happen to enjoy the gear about as much as I do the music it makes.

Why are you not enjoying yourself then?

Arthur

No need to get off. Its the ride we live for.

Probably most of us have that same concern to some degree.

Perhaps rather than trying to change out your equipment on a regular basis, you could switch to either:
A). Trying out different music from different genres.
(i.e. if you're into jazz, try classical or visa versa.
Or, even if you're only into rock, try different sub-catagories, like alternative rock, or heavy metal. (This is currently what I am trying to do to kick the upgrade habit! It is somewhat working, as I have at least slowed down! :-) )

B). Or, if you're into vinyl, like I am, you could try to either get better pressings of albums you already have, or better yet, get vinyl copies of albums you only had CDs of.

Both of these alternatives still involve spending money, but this is a hobby after all. (And at least the law of diminishing returns does not play into it as much, except for getting the best pressing alternative, which is starting to get a little bit expensive! However, IMHO, that is almost an investment, as the price of good pressings seems to be rising pretty constantly. I honestly feel I have made money on my good or rare pressings, should I feel the need to sell them.)

My two cents worth.

DON'T WORRY!!! It's just part of human nature that we are never permanently satisfied. Signed, a student of psychology