members and their systems

First system bought in '76.  I'm now on only my 2nd pair of speakers and my 3rd turntable/arm and preamp/amp set-up.  Before I bought, I spent a lot of time reading the experts' thoughts on various components and taking records to audio shops to listen to the characteristics of the components.  I came to trust certain reviewers who I felt were good at listening to music and were able to express what they were hearing, and I knew what was important to me.

I guess it was "trust but verify."  I trusted the guidance of certain reviewers and verified by extensive auditioning of gear.

What I'm getting at is that I'm not a flipper, and the stuff I bought was somewhat expensive at the time, but thoughtful buying makes for years of satisfaction.  So I haven't really dropped much of what I've earned over the years on audio gear, in a relative sense.

@aewarren

Exactly.  The only components in my system I bought new are my SME V (30 years ago) and its brand new cartridge (just received).  Everything else:

Turntable:  Demo
Preamp:  Trade-in
Amp:  Trade-in
Digital front:  Used
Tuner:  Used
Interconnects:  Trade-in
Speaker cables:  Trade-in
Power block:  Trade-in

I have a German friend who lives in Hamburg; he and his family own a successful machine business.  You would never know it by interacting with him.  Very laid back and non-ostentatious.

After a few years the subject of cars came up.  He always has the fanciest AMG sedan and reminded me that those cars are bred for the Autobahn  He drives extremely fast when knucklehead drivers aren't in the wrong lane.  I know sedans and Porsches are quite different, but I'm sure there are several German cars that feel like child's play at 190.

Given MC's description of motor mount engineering, the OP might want to change the thread title to "systems and their members."

True confessions.  I always coveted the original Speedster, but by the time I really thought about buying, Japanese collectors had driven the prices for the desirable examples to over $100k.  So I had a replica built, based on guts from a Beetle.  Even found original 50s gauges for the build (remember JC Whitney?)  Fun, but I eventually felt guilty about running around in a "fake" car.