I have figured out the upgrade itch

I've come to believe that "serious listening" should be seen as an oxymoron. That's probably not exactly the right word, but why is what is supposed to be a hobby and for pleasure ever "serious"?

Which is another way of saying I agree with you, although possibly one symptom removed. It's when you stop listening for enjoyment, which doesn't necessarily mean listening while doing something else - you can listen for enjoyment in a dedicated way, that you start analyzing the sound. The activity you're doing has changed its nature, quite possibly without you overtly deciding to do so. That's not the sole reason a person gets the upgrade itch, but it certainly is a leading reason.

Well Hughes12 I listen to music for enjoyment.
Sure we listen critically when we upgrade but after a while hopefully we just relax and enjoy the music.
I would say "serious" listening takes up 80% of my time spent-it drives the girlfriend nuts.

I agree with you to a point - you seem to distinguish between critical listening for the sound of the components and "serious" listening which includes listening to music while doing other things, such as reading. How about introducing a third type of listening, that is, critically listening to musical content. Then when you get the urge to upgrade you just go out and by some unfamilar music to satisfy your need to listen critically. There is just so much music out there to be discovered and enjoyed. Why waste your time worrying about how different components sound. :-)