Is it time to just quit?

Why not sit down in your listening chair ( couch) and stop to think a bit. Why am I involved in this hobby? To gather the most expensive and arguably, better or best new equipment or model that has been just released? 
Or— because I love good music and it is always swirling around in my mind. If you feel ‘depressed ‘ cause you’re spending to much and possibly, need to HAVE the latest update or ( lol) buy a new amplifier for $18,000....- after you sell your 3rd , 6 month old Preamp for $7,000 —— you’re in this hobby for the wrong reasons! Or better yet, enjoy and read about equipment; and how damn silly MOST AUDIOPHILES ARE: which could include me..? I dare not say!! But I’m having a few exciting new pieces of gear coming up for “ true critical evaluation” quite soon! Come on by!! https://www.thesoundadvocate.com

Hey @elizabeth - Here's an idea to maybe help with your enjoyment of listening to music, continue posting on A-goN and not spend money.

Join us on the music related threads here on AudiogoN. This is where all the cool kids hang out (we know you're a cool kid because we know what kind of car you drive ;~) ) and it doesn't cost a dime.

Check out these threads and consider participating. Would love to learn more about your music collection/selections:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/whats-on-your-turntable-tonight

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-are-you-streaming-tonight

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-s-in-your-cdp-tonight-the-minority-report

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/whats-playing-on-your-system-today

Hope to always see you here on AudiogoN and would enjoy seeing you on the music threads.

Do we do this for the love of equipment? Or, the love of music? If it is equipment, we will never be satisfied.

Elizabeth,
Few people on this forum deserve the respect that you've earned. Perhaps it's time to simply enjoy the music, but not walk away from this community. Your decency, knowledge, and experience would certainly be missed by ME and I simply won't have it!  =)Honestly, from what I've read so far, you seem to have a magical rapport with everyone and unanimous support. That's rare and it would be a shame if you deny yourself of that.

Elizabeth.

I have never posted on this forum, or any other forum for that matter. But, I am a frequent reader of several audio and music forums from which I’ve learned boatloads about both system building and music. I want you to know I have found your comments insightful and useful in my exploration of this hobby and I feel certain other silent readers agree. Thank you. 

Like you, I’ve been through periods of malaise, frustrated by the elusiveness of that perfect note, as it were. Like others who have responded to your original comment, I turned several years ago from buying and selling principal components to focus largely on tweaks, which have improved my system significantly while offering opportunity to participate more actively and “creatively” in hobby. It’s been liberating, instructive and satisfying. Tweaking helped me understand that that perfect note is merely an idea we chase but never catch.

Finally now, I have determined that my system is finished. There likely will come a time when I again want to explore new technologies and equipment. But, for the moment, aware as I am of its limitations, I love my system and have turned to the “other side” of the hobby - listening.  Like Springsteen’s “spastic’s reelin’ perfection”, I’ve allowed myself the luxury of believin’ my reelin’ system is the perfect expression of the music I love.  And so I listen happily, forgiving the system its limitations and failings , as I do with all things I love. 

Cheers Elizabeth and again, thanks!