Looking back, I have pretty much replaced EVERYTHING since my last post to this thread 3 1/2 years ago, when I thought I had already spent WAY too much money. I have since sold most of the old gear (thank you Audiogon). Fortunately during this time period my business did OK and my purchases were mostly out of cash-flow and at good prices thanks to Audiogon and relationships with various manufacturers. I was also able to pick up some good gear by being in the right place at the right time(I NEVER underestimate the value of TIMING!). My system has come a LONG way in the past 3 1/2 years.
With the arrival of a new DAC from Bulgaria sometime in the near future, my system will finally be pretty much set for a while. IS it worth what I paid(30-70% retail)? Absolutely - I have heard more expensive and less expensive systems that sounded very good, but to my ears, mine sounds better and makes me the happiest. That feeling, repeated every time I listen to my system, regardless of the musical genre, to me is PRICELESS. I now enjoy my gear every chance I get - lots more often than 3 1/2 years ago. As my system got better, I found myself listening to it a whole lot more often. (I doubt that I am alone in this...)
There will ALWAYS be something bigger, better, faster or shiney-er. It doesn't matter what you spend or don't spend - what matters is that what you have makes you happy. Life is too short to view this hobby any other way, IMO.
With the arrival of a new DAC from Bulgaria sometime in the near future, my system will finally be pretty much set for a while. IS it worth what I paid(30-70% retail)? Absolutely - I have heard more expensive and less expensive systems that sounded very good, but to my ears, mine sounds better and makes me the happiest. That feeling, repeated every time I listen to my system, regardless of the musical genre, to me is PRICELESS. I now enjoy my gear every chance I get - lots more often than 3 1/2 years ago. As my system got better, I found myself listening to it a whole lot more often. (I doubt that I am alone in this...)
There will ALWAYS be something bigger, better, faster or shiney-er. It doesn't matter what you spend or don't spend - what matters is that what you have makes you happy. Life is too short to view this hobby any other way, IMO.