Does it ever end?

@mihorn , I appreciated the Chris Isaak. Very familiar with it and it sounded nice through my headphone system.

Does it ever end?  NO.  But you can learn to live with the addiction. 

Have you tried AA? Audiophiles Anonymous?

As long as you stay interested in this hobby why should the endless journey for something better end? I believe a part of this, like any other hobby, is to try to stay current with whatever the state of the art happens to be and thereby begins the audio curse to improve on what you have.

I I hope it doesn't end . As a now "senior" audiophile the "weight" of high quality gear becomes challenging.  I find the hobby endlessly educational. Learning about both the gear and the "pressings" I, for one enjoy physical media and will often play vinyl over a CD. However, there are cases where the CD outshines the vinyl. All these years later, I'm just discovering "target" CDs. Glad I bought all those first press vinyl Blue Notes when I did  :)

Thanks for all of your thoughts and opinions.

I think part of the drive to continue to purchase gear is all of the online ads and emails we receive about the next best component.  Much of my journey has centered around NOS tubes, which are drying up quite rapidly ( example being the EL34 tubes).  Perhaps when I can no longer afford the EL34 pricing, I will stop hunting!  Or at least until my gear fails and needs replacement. Again, many thanks for your insights.