I got back into audio almost 4 years ago, and found and joined this forum shortly after in hopes of learning about all the new things that have come out in the last 40 years. It has been interesting, but I also found that I am not going to be at the level in this hobby that many others here are. First, because I only have so much money. Second, because I found long ago that when you are beginning any new hobby that requires expenditures, it is better to balance one’s level of purchases rather than spend a lot on one piece of equipment and skimp on the rest. My choices are “good enough for me” though less-than for others.
I have been impressed to find all the different brands of equipment, designed in various countries. I had no idea before that any of these things existed beyond the mass market name brands. I thought, “I wonder how they knew about that . . to buy that?” I don’t go to audio stores to sample equipment, and I don’t live in a big city that has much variety. I assume that some members here learn about these esoteric brands from audio shop owners and by going to audio fests where such equipment is previewed.
Lastly, I’m practical (and old) enough to know that the things I have enthusiasm for will be different than those interests of loved ones I might leave my equipment to when I die. They might not care at all about my stereo system — might prefer to listen to their phone and earbuds. They likely wouldn’t know (or care) what my equipment cost or what they should sell it for when settling my estate. Thus, even if I could afford to buy some very expensive and exotic equipment, I don’t want to leave the burden to my survivors to try to get the value back out of it. It would be easy enough for you, or even me, to find out what something is worth and where to list it, but for most people they probably wouldn’t know where to start. They will already be grieving, I don’t want to add to their burden by having to decide if an offer they receive is fair or a ripoff.