Develop your secrecy skills if you have a spouse. Always claim that a particular piece of equipment costs much less than you actually paid for it. Phrases like, "I got a great deal on Audiogon!" or "It was actually way less than I expected because I traded in my old piece!" work well -- whether you actually did such trading is immaterial.
Learn how much recognizability factor your spouse has in terms of any new equipment. Speakers are the most identifiable new component. However, new phono pre’s and DAC’s can be easily tucked away and blended in with other little metal boxes you have on your audio shelf. WARNING: Tube equipment with exposed tubes is highly recognizable! However, once you've established the presence of tubed equipment, upgrading and/or swapping out existing pieces for new ones becomes easier as long as it's not a radical new design.
Keep a record of how much your equipment is actually worth so, in the event your spouse outlives you, they won’t sell if for what you claimed to have paid for it.
Learn how much recognizability factor your spouse has in terms of any new equipment. Speakers are the most identifiable new component. However, new phono pre’s and DAC’s can be easily tucked away and blended in with other little metal boxes you have on your audio shelf. WARNING: Tube equipment with exposed tubes is highly recognizable! However, once you've established the presence of tubed equipment, upgrading and/or swapping out existing pieces for new ones becomes easier as long as it's not a radical new design.
Keep a record of how much your equipment is actually worth so, in the event your spouse outlives you, they won’t sell if for what you claimed to have paid for it.