Have you reached your end point with this addictive hobby?

It helps to have little money for this. Works as a sort of safeguard. Doesn't address the core of things, though.

Personally, on average I spend about $1500 a year on equipment, including tubes. And I have maintained this figure for years. I have spend about $6.5k in the last two years, so..unless something breaks and can't be repaired there is nothing I can buy in the next 2.5-3 years. Not that I feel the need. There is a wish but there is no need.

And yet another part of happiness is not being satisfied with what you have and seek out what could be even better.

Of course, it's not exciting because you get wrong things. You need Studer tape deck and master tape dubs !

As for street begging audiophile style, the sign should not be cardboard but vinyl record, and it should say something like - Need funds badly for a new needle !

It appears that it's not only Americans that are that, it's like a wave going around the globe.

As for sort of therapy, audio equipment and other purchases, there is no doubt about that. Effective or not, it varies, I guess.

" Done until the next purchase ".

Precisely.

Right now I am busy getting some spare vintage tubes.

Of course, I'll keep upgrading. I prefer to do it in big jumps too, which means rarely. My speakers are probably the weakest link but I like them a lot and don't want to replace them, I've had them for 25 years.