Audiophilism is a hobby

I feel sorry for all the Audiophile Billies around here and I think you have problems elsewhere in your lives that make it impossible for you to enjoy music.  I don't want to get into your lives any further, but as far as audio goes, just relax and enjoy.  Be happy with what you have. 

But, if you come across a component that would improve the sound quality of your system and you can afford it, buy it and go back to enjoying your music.  Buying better quality audio gear Should not cause you anxiety and it need not be expensive.  There is so much good gear around at great prices that there's no reason that pursuing good sound should conflict with enjoying music.  

Best wishes on your audio journeys.  That's all I have to say.

From what I can tell an Audiophile Billy is anyone who does things differently than the way I do. If my system is inexpensive and my records scratched, it's the guy with Wilson speakers, McIntosh amps and UHQR records. For some it's the authors of angst ridden threads about which cable should I buy to solve my latest problem. Many Billies just post threads asking/hoping for people to agree that whatever they're  doing is the right thing. If you believe you're  not an Audiophile  Billy as defined here you're probably not reading this nor responding. You're sitting in comfy chair listening to some music, not worrying about what any of the folks here think.

I must admit, I now believe not all audiophiles are Audiophile Billies. However, unfortunately, I think. that a good many A’goners fall into this category. Otherwise there wouldn’t be so much handwringing over equipment that goes on.
It’s very sad that we (I often include myself in that category) can’t enjoy the magnificence of music and see the forest for the trees.

@wolf_garcia +1 X10, well said

Write “audiophilia nervosa” (or ‘audio nervosa’ or ‘audiophile nervosa’) into a Google search engine and then press, “search.”

I don’t know how one can’t see the clear difference between these two things:  
a) person listens to music they like
b) person presses “play” and then immediately goes into “analysis mode,” scrutinizing the fidelity of the audio.

I don’t know how a person could actually undertake the process of maximizing the level of satisfaction their home audio provides without being person b).

This doesn’t have to be something to be ashamed of or get defensive about.  
It’s a part of the process of being an audiophile.  
Nevertheless, such a process may indeed conflict with being a person who just enjoys their favorite music, every day, devoid of such cognitive preoccupations.