Is advice from a constant upgrader to be avoided

I've had 3 turntables, 3 arms, 4 cartridges, 2 phono stages, 4 amps, 3 speakers, and roughly 3 sets of speaker cables and interconnects and 2 sets of power cords. In 30 years. That is a pretty consistent 5 to 10 years, sometimes longer, per component. 

I think you are right to question advice from people who don't know what they're doing. Which yes it is clear to me churning through gear demonstrates a lack of ability. Either that or the person simply likes change. Either way, why would you listen to them? Because if you want to be happy a long time what do they know about that? And if you just want change, what do you need them for then anyway?

So a total waste of time- and yet how right you are, makes up a lot of what we have here.

Unless, you learn how to read them. This is the art of making sense and culling useful information out of a lot of blathery randomness. A highly sought after skill, since if you can master it then guess what? You can be like me: happy as a clam, 20 years since I had a dud, and all from reading reviews and comments just like the ones around here.

Wish I could tell you how to do it. Lord knows I've tried. Maybe not lately. But search around, they're there. It doesn't happen by accident. There is a method to the madness. Happy to help any time.

@mid-fi-crisis , It might seem that way but there are many of us who keep equipment for decades and only jump to a new piece went we know it will make an improvement. I would venture to say we have much more expensive generally better gear and the incremental steps are have  less obvious improvement and are much more expensive. 

many of us have heard gear in our travels and may also comment based on design.

Just try to get the best from what you already have before moving on. You may discover that there is no need to move on.

Frank

Unless, you learn how to read them

This is the key one who the players are know their strengths and their weaknesses know the ones who know what they’re talking about and the ones who are just bsers. learn to read reviews. If you see common traits spoken about the product then you can be assured that that is what you’re going to get from that product if if most of the people say that it has extended highs then you can be pretty sure that it’s got extended highs now that doesn’t mean that it’s going to have extended lows to go with them it means that you got a possibility of adding brightness to your system do you need breaks if you don’t need brightness and you struggle with that this is probably not a piece that you want this is how I have been able to make steps that have been positive and at this point in time like Miller I don’t think I’ve had a bad guy in the last 20 years have I made mistakes of course. But you need to learn to know the players and who’s going to give you good advice and who’s going to BSU.

As for the constant upgraders I actually miss them. I am one with a limited pocketbook and limited funds especially now living in retirement and I’ve always found it helpful that these guys create a market and a place where I can buy equipment more affordable price I could never afford equipment that at the retail prices that they want to charge. I have too many hobbies too many interests but I do miss those because I’m looking for a tone arm now and apparently nobody’s getting rid of their high-end tone arms.

Sorry for the poor grammar. New toy that I'm trying to learn

I must admit, I used to be in a "constant upgrade" cycle, but lately I've really slowed down on my purchases.  I found an elixir from Scotland which is brown in color that seems to treat that affliction and it seems to have worked for me...