How do you get Happy as an Audiophile?

I liked your description of "Positive Psychology", That is something new and needed in the field, Mental Health was my field prior to retiring, and I spent years supervising Corrections Psychiatric treatment and Diagnostic units among other related work.. Our work was grounded on the illness model you describe. I think I had the entire DSM IV (the APA’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual) memorized at some point, Thanks for bring up this new approach. It put a smile on my face to hear of it..

To address your question. I’ve only upgraded my system twice. Once in my twenties and again at about age 67. I think I’d be happier if I could upgrade my listening system to include super high end forbiddenly expensive Magico speakers and equivalent equipment next time around.. But why worry about it, And why not enjoy the pricey to me set-up I have now.

What makes me happy is finding great new CD’s and listening to already collected gems, while enjoying the advantages and improved sound of my current system over the old one. I’m doing it right now, listening to the newly available Coltrane "A Love Supreme: Live in Seattle" Can’t beat it, even though the the actual recording was done by amateurs. and certainly doesn’t show off one’s system.

Daydreaming about better stuff can be fun and satisfying as well, abetted by reading Audiogon (when the trolls aren’t out in force) to find out what the rest of you are doing and learning what the more knowledgeable can teach you.

Anyway, great post Erik. Thanks;

Mike (still lying about not being a robot)

That’s easy. I sit down and listen to music.

When you sit in your listening chair, close your eyes and just listen and it puts a smile on your face then you know you have reached what you gave sought.

I give a rating of 1 to 10 on most things generally aiming for an 8 (happiness, sound quality, taste of food/ drink)

Am massively happy to sell off house and have no mortgage, no more bills etc.

Gone back to the simple pleasure of Arcam Alpha CD, TD160/ SME 3009 and surprisingly good Sony FB940 amp (still rock solid and beautifully tactile controls). Have brought my Onix amp back out- lovely thing that Cyrus seem to be copying aesthetically.

Getting a pair or Senny HD8xx for pennies down the auctions

Grumpy Dingo radio is permanently on he CXN in the garage- love the mixture of dark comedy/ black humour makes me happy

I'm Marvin the paranoid android's twin robot brother

I’m at the point that I have everything I could want....as far as equipment. Now, I concentrate on finding LP treasures, 45’s, cd’s, and pre recorded cassettes...not that I don’t already own enough....overall, I’d say I’m happy, as well as fortunate.