I lately wonder why I’m an Audiophile.

@pindac - Nice writeup! 

@lanx0003 

You correctly refer to the love of audio as a HOBBY.

Relax and enjoy what you own.

I can't explain how I restructured my interest in audio, but did not buy a Magazine or enter a High Street Store from that time on for many many years and Larger Audio Events were carefully selected for being part commercial / part system owner enthusiasts as the exhibitors.

I started meeting people with a Hobby in Audio and a keen interest in non commercial products and even DIY Builds of audio equipment.

I was to be invited to be demo'd systems set up in homes that really shone, and were totally attainable as a cost and a support offered.

The rest is History, I never looked back, and was to get to a place where I was genuinely really really enjoying my Hobby.

Great post!

This was also my experience...

 I was impotent  and unable to pick the dreamed pieces of gear, unable to choose and stay happy once i did and unable to afford what i wanted...

 Then i quit reading about gear...

I read about acoustics to understand sound, i enter in modifications of gear, Tweaks, and experiments in acoustics...

I had then fun, results, and nowadays i mostly listen music satisfied... 

 I means i reached the minimal acoustical satisfaction threshold, with a 1000 bucks system (headphone+speakers/room) give me 15,000 bucks i will reach the optimal acoustical satisfaction threshold, give me 250,000 but perhaps i will need more, in these waters i had no experience but i will target the "maximal acoustical satisfaction threshold .

I could have added to give something back, especially with the hope somebody at a place I once left behind, was on a journey seeking change. I have been an exhibitor of my own system at Audio Events where I frequented to meet others not following mainstream. An event where Commercial Venture and Hobbyist hire a Hotel Room for a weekend to create their space for presenting their systems. 

I have created a room that is witnessed to be overly filled with visitors, queues have been formed to get the chance to enter. I have shared extensive conversation with those with a fledgling interest, seasoned enthusiasts and designer/producers. The 'icing on the cake' being, I have witnessed visitors to the room who had seemingly spent more than half the time of the attendance period for the Event in my room, where I played multiple tracks for them of their brought along albums.

Treating individuals with the exact same kindness I was offered when I was a sponge learning the info I carry with me today.