God, I hate to ask this…

I’m sorry to hear about your health issues, and pray for your recovery. I live alone and my two adult daughters Neither know anything about Audio gear or care to learn. i’ve instructed them to contact my dealer who I trust to give them good advice for it’s disposal when the time comes. I think TMR is another good option. While their commission is not cheap, they help with everything and will turn your equipment into cash with absolutely no possibility of having to deal with unhappy or unscrupulous buyers.  They are good at what they do and I think they would try to make this as easy as possible for your family if that becomes necessary.

it is so good of you to think of taking care of this now now, but if your system brings you joy, I suspect your family would want you to hang onto it and with clear instructions, they can deal with it without undue stress. Just a thought.

God bless you

As so many others on this forum I am not a spring chicken and also face the consequences of age. 
My thoughts and prayers to your future. 
That said… if your affairs are in order and the wife is not in need of the full value of your toys consider simply giving away stuff. Not necessarily with zero renumeration but priced to be gone.
Maybe give some of it away to a sorority or fraternity house. Let it get used. 
Hold an auction with the proceeds to go to the folks of your choice. 
I walk around my house looking at the tools, nuts, bolts, and bull crap I have accumulated and start chuckling.
I am currently in the process of dispersing my collection of superfluous bull feces. Easier said than done.

I have thinking about this stuff, too. My hobby is going to a computer museum. My guns are going to a younger new friend. My late 70s/80s era audio system is going to an audio store that repairs and sells said stuff.

After everything else is sold the cash will be spread across a few animal aid organizations.

It's very charitable if they were to get sold or donated to audio folks of any level, who will enjoy all of it for what it was intended for. My hope is that my lifetime of specialized knick knacks "will reach the right people". Thats good enough for me! 

@williamjohnston 

I am sorry to learn about your situation. You’ve articulated something that many people in our community quietly think about but rarely give voice to: what happens to the things we’ve poured decades of passion, care, and money into—especially when those things hold meaning for us but may feel like a burden to our loved ones.

I will speak to the steps I’ve taken in case my spouse end up disposing my system. Took me a while but knowing my wife has no interest in my main system, I’ve put together a spreadsheet outlining all of my gear, purchase price and media collection (CLZ Music software) that would help her dispose off my treasured possessions into the hands of people or places that will fetch a decent value. 

A spreadsheet or thinning some of your gear now is all about how to leave traces of possessions you’ve enjoyed and treasured. Your dog will be loved by your wife; your music legacy can be loved by friends, younger enthusiasts, or even institutions. What matters is that you’ve thought about it—and that is already a great kindness to those you love.

Take care and enjoy music!