I agree with jl35. In the O.T., Ecclesiastes says: “All human work is for the mouth, but the soul is never satisfied.” That was the theme of the Orson Welles’ movie “Citizen Kane”. He had everything in life, but on his deathbed, he could not remember the last time he was happy.
To my mind at age 72, the issue is one of contentment. In the N.T. someone once said, “ I have learned to be content.” It has been and still is a hard lesson for me. I have a system made up of a Marantz PM 14s1 integrated amplifier and Triangle Celsius speakers with a VPI turntable, which gives me a mostly satisfying window into the hi-end, though most on this forum would say my system is mid-fi. I love music more than the gear, and maybe I am not and audiophile at all. However, I look daily on Audiogon wondering if a better amp would improve everything, but knowing that what I would be willing to spend would be a lateral move. Though affording is not the issue, very expensive gear would not be good for WAF or for my pursuit of contentment. I am sure I would have buyer’s remorse. YMMV.
Epicurus once said, “Nothing is enough for the person to whom enough is too little.” I believe we all have to decide how much is enough for us in all facets of life, including audio, because perfection is unattainable in this life. Contentment is attainable. I am sure that faith plays a role. I am still trying to “learn to be content.” Back to Epicurus, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not, remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” (I too may be banned, but it has been a fun forum.)
John
To my mind at age 72, the issue is one of contentment. In the N.T. someone once said, “ I have learned to be content.” It has been and still is a hard lesson for me. I have a system made up of a Marantz PM 14s1 integrated amplifier and Triangle Celsius speakers with a VPI turntable, which gives me a mostly satisfying window into the hi-end, though most on this forum would say my system is mid-fi. I love music more than the gear, and maybe I am not and audiophile at all. However, I look daily on Audiogon wondering if a better amp would improve everything, but knowing that what I would be willing to spend would be a lateral move. Though affording is not the issue, very expensive gear would not be good for WAF or for my pursuit of contentment. I am sure I would have buyer’s remorse. YMMV.
Epicurus once said, “Nothing is enough for the person to whom enough is too little.” I believe we all have to decide how much is enough for us in all facets of life, including audio, because perfection is unattainable in this life. Contentment is attainable. I am sure that faith plays a role. I am still trying to “learn to be content.” Back to Epicurus, “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not, remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” (I too may be banned, but it has been a fun forum.)
John