In high school, I had one those all in one units. Kept it shiny and doted over it. In college, I had a decent Pioneer system. Wasn't bad, wasn't great but it was somewhat close to a real system. Then I had a Honda Prelude with hail damage. Great car with a good audio system. It was fast and I totaled it. Then I had this wireless system that I could plug an iPod into. It ruled. Could listen to music outside through an actual speaker. Wow. Then I had my phone with a portable speaker. Very practical for my age. Then I had nothing for 10 years. Now, I have a system worth all of those multiple times over. So, am I happy? Heck yeah! The music has never sounded so good!
How do you get Happy as an Audiophile?
There’s an interesting, relatively modern take on mental health called Positive Psychology. While not without it’s faults and detractors, PP has a very interesting approach. Instead of asking questions on the axis of illness and diagnosis PP asks questions on the scale of happiness:
What is it that makes you more or less content with your life and in your pursuits? How can these actions, events or states be codified and applied as general principles?
In the spirit of PP then I ask:
How do you get happy? What advice would you give an audiophile that asks "What is satisfying about being an audiophile, and what are the approaches that get me there? Do you personally know the answers for yourself? "