Jeff, my man!! Your post hit a very resonant chord with me (notice the catchy audio allusion). For the first time in several years, I got a refund (about $2700) and had it mentally spent on buying a Perceptual Technologies P-1A and P-3A. Not to be... the wife unit decided to buy new carpet, and then found out that the electric baseboard heaters would also need replacement. I guess I'll be warmer next winter, but at the cost of possible aural deprivation!!
What to do with your tax return?
I know doing your taxes is a pain, but I'm ravaged by the tax man all year long so I generally end up with some cash back every year and naturally my scheming twisted mind tries to find a use for it. If I don't get the damned money out of the bank, the wife may decide to redecorate (again). Last year I was busy with work and the kids, took my eye of the ball, and she gutted and replaced the entire kitchen. No thought to include a fine audio system in the kitchen either. I was devastated. No, my return wasn't anywhere near enough. Lesson learned. Past years I've bought amplifiers, speakers, etc..varies depending on what my "perceived need" is at the time and how much of my own money the government is willing to share with me. If you are one of the lucky ones and anticipate a refund this year, do you plan to spend some or all of it on audio gear and/or music? I'll kick this off by pre-spending some of my money (the rest goes to paying off the kitchen). I'm real happy with my system as is, but feel an unnatural need to invest in interconnect and power conditioners. And records, I crave more vinyl. Big, heavy, 180g slabs of vinyl, gotta have it! Happy listening, Jeff