Why aren't the older members still active ?

i think as one ages, one realizes that the value of opinions /recommendations becomes less useful.
Mrtennis

Asking for and accepting advice, I agree.
Offering or giving advice, not sure about that.

It's been at least 10 years since a product came along that really knocked my socks off THAT DIDN'T cost more than my first 4 cars added together. This hobby started to get bad before the economy got bad. About this same time, the industry somewhat turned its back on the diehards and went for the billionares with giant mansons to fill with "whole mansion systems". i think allot of people have left the hobby or lost interest because there is very little to be interested in at this point, imo.

Wrong. There is a lot of moderately priced gear even new. But if you are serious about the sound quality you should be prepared to spend a few thousands on stereo. And if someone is just a music lover, this forum is not for those.
Having said that, a few thousands even for used equipment won't buy anything spectacular nor should it.
Also, some audiophiles who have $100k-$200k systems spent decades to get where they are now and save on many other things. They are not rich.
In addition, as an example, if you live in Manhattan you don't need a car so you can spend usual car dollars on stereo.

Hi Inna, I hope my post did not knock rich people - I am far from a "march on wall St" type. I only knock stereo gear that cost more than a modest priced house, because over that last decade prices have gone way up and sound quality has gone way down, imo. I would really like to know really great sounding speakers for $5K - from what I have listened to in this range, none are even good and most are poor. (I hope you can mention some models and skip BW and other mass produced cheapy brands - I hope you have lived more than that).

"if you live in Manhattan, you don't (really) need a car" -

So, how to you get to your house in the Hamptons ? :)

You hire a limo or rent a car. No need to own.