Did your system getting better the more money you spent or more experience you gained?

My 2 Cents being an Audiophile for 50 years.

Definitely better with experience.

Took some time to gravitate to an all tube system.  Well worth the effort.

Took some time learn the advantage of belt driven, Oil bearing turntables.

Took time to learn that Moving Coil carts really sounded better than MM.

Took time to learn that high efficiency (>91 dB) speakers are easier to drive, but perform best in 4 Ohm mode for best sound.

Took time to understand necessary room treatments and apply them correctly.

Took time to realize you don't need to spend a fortune to get great sounding equipment!  (most recent purchase - Schitt Skoll Phono Stage at $400 sounding better than $2K C-J EF-1 Phono)

Took time to realize its best to purchase equipment used off Audio-Gon.  Let the well healed pay for the depreciation in the first few years.....

Lastly - Its always about the music!  Enjoy as often as you can!!  Life is short.

@ghdprentice man I’m blessed. I work for Infigo Audio now.  A brand I believe in and makes up my system.  It has allowed me to have this high level system and hours and hours of listening joy.  Doing this is fun not real work. 

I believe I was seriously restricting my opportunities to build a good sounding audio system, when I was a stut myself away in a room listener to music produced from a dedicated audio system.

As good as 20 + years ago this changed.

I chose to be much more interactive and social in audio related activities. 

It is the social activity that introduced me to mentors, fellow enthusiasts showed to me systems I was in awe of, I learnt of the dream that some very respected individuals had designs for in their own set ups. 

I am not upset with decisions made in the Company of others, they have proved to be economical and very very attractive for their meeting my needs. 

There will always be something better than you have. Once you think yo’ve got there you’ll bet bored and want more. Learn to be happy with what you have.

The fact that there is better gear than mine dont means that my optimized gear system cannot give me the minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold....

When you get this MINIMUM acoustic qualities level you forgot sound so immersive music is...

If you cannot get it with a relatively low cost system , it is either a bad synergetical choice of gear pieces or it is a lack in the mechanical,electrical and acoustical workings controls...

I dont need to learn to be happy with my low cost system BECAUSE it is well chosen well embedded system under my control, then my system makes me happy and  then it is not a stopgap i am in the obligation to live with... No frustration in me  , on the opposite , i pity many who give away more money for not really better sound... And trust me they were numerous...My system value is 1000 bucks...

Knowledge is key not price tag...

Better gear is not the key, but knowing how to use any system at any price at his optimal level is...

Acoustics dont change his principles, nor the mechanical and electrical science  because we upgrade a piece of gear...Any piece of gear must be optimized at any price... No speakers beat their room and they all suffer from resonance ... No amplifiers can replace the electrical grid of the house...No interconnect can work without picking interferences ... Etc  Then adress that BEFORE upgrading ...And call that the key....

There will always be something better than you have. Once you think yo’ve got there you’ll bet bored and want more. Learn to be happy with what you have.