How old are you?

I am 46 and got my first system when i was 14 (Polk Towers, NAD receiver, NAK music bank CD changer and monster cable from Bryn Mawr Stereo).
I have been blessed to own many of the best products the industry has known.

I also sold my AV publications almost a year ago for the exact reason this thread is explaining. Young people (with very few exceptions) are not part of this hobby thus the hobby is very hard to treat as a business. Science is often ignored for voodoo. The way things WERE is more important that the way things are going to be. 

My advice to the newer or younger fans is to ENJOY THE PROCESS. Remember the gear you have owned fondly. Perhaps journal your experiences with it including some photos while at the same time aspire for better. Embrace science. Subwoofers are a good thing. Room correction is a good thing. Master tape quality digital files are a good thing. Room acoustics are a good thing. Cleanly rack mounting your gear is a good thing. Ample AV power (20 amp circuits) installed by a pro with hospital grade outlets is a nice little tweak. Quiet, correct temp lighting control is a good thing. Having a video monitor is a good thing. Skip vinyl (lame dynamics, high distortion). Look to cables that don't have ANY color and don't waste a ton of your money. Avoid voodoo. A pile of wood chunks isn't going to make your system sound better - it will just make you more neurotic. 

56, parents never understood why I felt like I deserved stereo equipment better than them. Couldn't answer that question at 11. Mowed lawns for $$ then. After I sent cash through the mail to Hifi Buys for my first system. Technics SA200 receiver, comparable Technics Turntable and Infinity QA speakers. Parents were so mad when told them what and how I ordered it all. When I told them I sent $650.00 in cash through the mail they flipped and said I just lost my money! Boy were we all shocked when the UPS guy knocked on the door a month later with huge boxes to sign for. Thank you Hifi Buys for being honest and ignoring the fact that I didn't know to add shipping! Graduated up to Pioneer Flouroscan receiver and cassette deck three years later then I was totally hooked as a Freshman in HS! Traveled well for the Air Force and had the best since then! 

Born in the '50's & still Rock like it was the 60's. 67 years young to be exact 

21, a blank canvas 

59 but still feeling young!