Does your system sound “better” after being away?

I did!

I lost my desire for recreational drugs somewhat similar way as I've aged. I can say I've not been addicted to any, but used to find them entertaining for certain occasions, parties or holidays. 

I still have HUGE desire to buy more music as new artists appear on the bandcamp or other independent medias.

I've stopped upgrading my components since early 2000's, but keep adding music of various formats including packing my digital drives as well with downloads.

Absence makes the ears hear better, oh well I tried. 

I read somewhere recently that people that don’t like their systems are listening to music they don’t enjoy. I think it’s very easy to try music just to see what the system can do, but that can be music we don’t normally gravitate to. For example I might try classical music to hear the scale, and if I don’t hear what I want to hear I’m not happy and think upgrades will fix that. Well recently I went back to just playing what I like, and finding new music that I like. I’ve not heard my system sound so good so consistently. Perhaps when you returned, you weren’t focused on what the system could do, just listening to the music you like. I’m now of the mindset that while I will eventually upgrade, it won’t be a never ending journey, but instead one to inch out the last drops of what is already a wonderful sounding simple system. 

Yes, I also have had similar experience.  I think because I am healthier for not listening my system for several weeks.