Great posts!!
It's been said that as we get older we choose between the "scerinity," and "the hit". Inner peace, or the next adrenaline rush. Music can give us both (sometimes in the same piece). I disagree, in principal, with the statement: "Audiophiles listen to equipment. Not music." I belive we drill down deeper into the music than most, listen to (and, for) subleties that would escape the perception of "the average listener". We just need to have the discipline to turn off our inner audiophile and take in the masterpiece that's on full display in front of us. I suspect that we've gotten pretty good at doing this. Among other things.
So happy for cakyol for arriving in a good place. Taking an active role in your system's development by designing and building your own power amp makes it that much better. I designed and built my own speakers and I have to admit that some self-congratulatory moments occur when I'm listening.
Well done, sir.