Wasted Years.

@mulveling 

Often the learning process takes longer than we'd like. Sometimes waaaay longer...but on the flip side, those tend to be the lessons we REALLY learn. It's part of the process nonetheless, so I'd hesitate to call it "wasted" time.

The same could be said for many pursuits in life. It's certainly true of the arts. 

It's easy in this hobby to miss the forest for the trees. Lots of folks around here have their noses glued to the bark.

I don't consider any of my past audio endeavors as wasted, it was like a survey course in that I had to learn and experience different presentations to come to a preferred presentation. I've found once you get to a 'certain' level of resolution/ transparency that never fails to engage its all a matter of presentation. 

The greatest angst I felt was the years spent in attempting to reach a level of resolution/transparency that was always engaging. This was a real slog in that while I'd at times realize my goals here there was often only temporary bliss. For me there were no short cuts, much time, effort, expenditures, fine tuning, butt in the end I've reached my goal whereas every listening session is a totally immersive, engaging musical experience. 

And I'm still not done, I'm now enjoying various presentations via relatively easy rotation of a couple dacs, three amps and two preamps in various permutations. And I"m planning on adding at least one more amp to the brigade, this all great enjoyment for both the audiophile and music lover in me.

I was lucky enough with a very low budget to be in the obligation to  learn the basics instead of "buying" my pleasure from always costlier upgrades...

The most difficult part in term of gear :  Almost all low cost dac had no timbre naturalness...The last one i bought is in the trash bin ... It cost me 150 Us.

I stick to my SPS TDA 1543...

To upgrade it will cost me the price of my actual system..(1000 bucks)

Anyway i am pleased with it...

A simple rule is to keep design gear value proportionate ...You dont buy 1000 bucks cable for active low cost speakers...

I upgraded my active  speakers cable anyway (35 Us ) and it was very well done and very audible...

There is no wasted years only wasted money...

With age, taste (in music) also changes, and so do our listening habits. I find it funny that we are discussing this. Each of us came to this site for a reason. While music is our primary driver, I am an audiophile because I would like to listen to the music I love, in highest quality I can afford. If not, I would have purchased a Bluetooth soundbar and be happy. No wasted years for me; just building my experience for future and what is possible.

Wonder if we can ask an AI agent to find the % of threads here that discuss equipment Vs music.