Is it time to just quit?

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!

Because of the massive increases in 2 channel audio, I almost gave up myself. Almost gave up the hobby over money. The fun was waning. $20,000 turntables, $100,000 speakers, $30,000 amplifiers and these products have seemed to take over the audio mags.
But then I took a chance on 2 companies: Odyssey audio and Schiit Audio. Bought a 2 channel Odyssey Khartago power amp and the Schiit Audio Saga preamp. Cost for both combined, well under 2k. Added a used pair of B&W stand mount speakers for under $1K and a Pro-ject 6 perspex turntable and a Ortfon MC-3 turbo MC cartridge. Sounds great.

Then I attended the 2017 and 2018 Axpona shows, with my wife attending the 2018 show. 

After visiting the various rooms, I looked at my wife and told her that I never realized how good my home system was! I didn't come away from the show with a burning need to replace or upgrade anything.
I was happy, listening to music again and genuinely having fun again in this hobby.  Moral of this story: there's a ton of affordable gear that will bring back the fun, so you can let go of the feeling of needing, even wanting to buy more gear.
Now, all this said, if you want a nice little MM phono preamp, Schiit Audio has one called the Mani. It costs $129.00. I can live with this preamp if I needed to, but it's just too much fun and sounds great.
Don't give up.....companies like Schiit Audio ARE bringing back the fun!