Keep equipement or trade?

When looking at my system, there is nothing in it over 2 years old, so I guess that makes me a 2. I would say it's a sense of adventure that leads one to experiment with new things. Some experiment in different ways, with automobiles, women, etc. I still have a car that I bought new in 1987, and a wife since 1984 (no I have not experimented!). So I guess audio is where my adventuresome side comes out and plays. After years of experimenting I've learned that you can be happy, but you can 'usually' do better also. I quote 'usually', because all change isn't for the better. Which can lead to more change.

I've been an audiophile (psycho??) for 30 years. I did live without changing anything for 7 years (a personal record). I did this at a time when my children were younger and required more attention. As they've progressed into their teenage years, and have become more reclusive, I've recently found myself being drawn back onto the merry-go-round. So I guess I've been a 1, but I'm currently a 2. I would say that I listen to music more now. I don't think it's because I'm an equipmentphile, I think it's simply because I also have more free time now then when my children were younger.
Believe it or not, they don't find dad as much fun to be around as they used to.
Sorry for the long reply, but I guess it's a complex issue.
Conclusion: I was a 2 who became a 1, who then has become a 2 again.

Happy Holidays,
John

Mike,

Yeah right! If I had a LP for every time I heard that line:

'for the last few years ive been a 2 but im at the point ill be a 1 in a few weeks.'

My warehouse would be bursting at the seems.

John

What is it with newly married audiophiles? I see one guy just got married so he's selling a pair od Dynaudio S5.4's that he's had for only 3 months. He's also selling McCormack amp/preamp that he's owned for less than 2 months! Why? Didn't he know he was going to get married? This isn't unusual, I've seen it before. The funny part is that many times the equipment lasts longer than the marriage.

Howie, why do you feel that when you get married your chance to be an audiophile is over?

Enjoying audio equipment isn't like drinking, smoking and sex. I gave all that up when I got married. My audiophile card is as strong as ever, even after more than 20 years of wedded bliss (an oxymoron).
Audiophile is in the blood. You can only lie to yourself for so long. I do make some aesthetic concessions to my wife, but the value of my equipment contines to grow.
Invest wisely, upgrade wisely and you'll be amazed what kind of system you'll have in 25 years. My system now is so much better than when I got married that it's not even comparable. I have more $$$ in power cords now than my whole system cost while single.

It's not that getting married makes you wealthy. It's because my OTHER expenditures have gone away. Living the high life as a single man is exciting, but can be expensive. I don't spend as much nowadays on cars, trips, socializing, etc.
That money I save by not buying the new 'Vette or taking the trips to Vegas, can be funneled into other areas like home improvements including electronic upgrades.

Getting married isn't the end of the quest, for many of us, it's a beginning.