The Psychology of Constant (Equipment) Change

Here’s that woodpecker again, drilling on aluminum siding.

Thanks to all for an interesting thread and to the OP especially.

I think we have a situation where sound issues become more important than the music itself. As a tendency - an exaggerated attention to sound. Some of this is OK, but when it takes over, not OK. There is a clear commercial input to make music lovers think that way. Get our component and your problems will be solved.

But it is more than this. I wonder, is there a psychological component too. A background withdrawal from music.

That paradoxically can get larger, the better the system, demanding emotional involvement. There is a 'flee' response. One way to flee is to think about sound. Maybe, often, to avoid the full emotional impact of the music.

I am maybe off on a tangent, here.

@audiodwebe great topic for a discussion! Enjoyed reading thru some of the responses. 

Your distinction is  trivial...

There is audiophile in a third category who did way more than buying in a race to "know" the most pieces of gear possible...

Some experiment with very good product at relatively low cost but learning the basic about mechanical and electrical and acoustical controls and this made the difference ...because the basic knowledge is transformative in a way most ignore...

For example learn how to control resonance and vibrations under speakers of any price and call that real audiophile knowledge...

Welcome here by the way...

My best to you 😊