My wife has put up with my upgrades for the last few years without much fuss. I went from a system that was worth around 15 hundred to my current system, which cost quite a bit. When she wants something, she usually gets it, like the new deck and front porch we are putting in, with a new lawn to follow. I didn't hesitate to agree with the deck/porch/lawn, even though I had multiple thoughts, and suggestions of different system upgrades, of which, she politely declined. She's been the greatest with my habit. I always turn the music down, or off, when she is around because she had 3 brain hemorrhages about ten years back, and still has very severe headaches on a regular basis, and once in a while she needs to take some heavy duty medication to quell them. Yeah, she's been real good to me, and I return the favor.
The partner or wife factor
Most of us don't live alone. We have to contend with the people, we share our living space with. This can be a huge asset to our hobby, sometimes a detriment. Sometimes, listening with a loved one can deepen our involvement with the music and shared hobbies are a source of joy through the years, sometimes the hobby can be a continual source of bickering and trigger resentment and,in a worst case setting, separation either from the system or from the partner. I personally, in my long life, have both met with intelligent support for, but also viscious resentment of my gear, as systems and partners changed.( Systems more than parners) The shortest episode, hilarious actually, was when a ladyfriend , led by me proudly to the listening area , shrieked "electrosmog....!!" You can rest assured, she didn't stay very long. What about your experiences? Joyful, painful, helpful, destructive, funny or amorous ones? Very curious....