Yes, I can relate as well. I have been pursuing hi-fi for over 50 years. I built my first stereo speakers (Bozak) in 7th grade woodshop. My woodshop teacher didn't understand why I needed two speakers! I saved all my money from cutting lawns to buy a Fisher 202 Receiver and thought I was in heaven. I convinced my father to take me downtown (Cleveland, OH) to Audio Craft were they holding a McIntosh Amplifier Clinic. We waiting for over 2 hours whist some of the most beautiful equipment I had ever seen was placed on the test bench. I listened to same gear in the showroom and I was smitten. When it was my turn on the bench, the harmonic distortion graph for my lowly Fisher looked like a hockey stick. The technician grinned suggested I upgrade to a McIntosh. Little did I know at the time, he was the infamous Dave O'Brien of McIntosh Labs.
Fast forward to the present, my father passed away two years and I cherish our time together and sacrifices he made to nourish my hobbies. So for the past two years I have been researching, networking, searching and building my McIntosh system and 50 years later - it is bliss. (I know that this forum is not necessarily fond of MC, but this is my story and I am sticking to it).