I need help with my Equipment addiction

Macdadtexas, unfortunately most audiophiles do this to a varying degree but you need to recognize that the law of dimenishing returns do apply and realize that many future tweaks can do more harm than good in some cases. This is especially true if you were happy with your system to begin with. Change out the preamp and you can find yourself searching for a more compatible amp plus interconnects, etc.

It is possible to substitute one addiction for another. For example get compulsive about buying music instead of gear. A co-worker told me one time that he don't have any problems because he don't quit nothing but that is a different perspective.

You know what? After all the years I been on Audiogon I'm proud to say I still have the same speakers, everything else has changed though. Prior to Audiogon it was me and my music, nothing else. I was running Adcom gear back then and I thought it was the best (ignorance is bliss) and looked forward to my next music purchase. Audiogon changed that for the next few years. I started out buying McCormack gear and thought wow this is much better than what I was listening to and as things progressed over time I became more involved with the gear, not the music. I even purhased some test CDs just to make sure everthing was operating as it should. Well the point here is I lost my personal relationship with my music and became obsessed with the gear. I'm happy to report that I have made great progress and have increasingly been more involved listening to my favorite tunes and enjoying them more than ever. Yes I still have purchased & sold some pieces but have slowed down considerably, at least with the more expensive purchases.

I noticed with some long-term Audiogon members they have never been involved in the forums. I think it is important because if were not talking here than your probably browsing & looking to buy. Hint, hint.

Macdadtexas, since Houstin is known for its strip clubs, & the wine is flowing like water, surely these are the distractions you might need to avoid your addiction.