Not impressed

You should speak with Bo1972. He goes all over the world and has tested every component and has done demonstrations for every manufacturer and has consistently shown hi-end dealers how to get the best sound at the shows. He has multitudes of clients that he had shown how to achieve a realistic 3d soundstage and accurate tonal timbres. He can help you get off the merry go round for sure!

A BOPHILE...wow. Bo1972 is an oddly misguided pretentious weirdo who should be ignored, as should Alex, and maybe Chayro since he's a Bophile. I should make a list...

Keep at it please - it "will" reward !
Brain doctors can measure the good influence it has on us...
but it requires some work - learning curve if you will...

You can just get an all in one speakers like the Denon Cocoon 500 model from amazon, and stream music from your computer, and be done with it. It's on sale at 1/5 the msrp ($129 + free shipping).

I too feel like you about many things, but what can we do, we have to keep plugging at it, 'til we reach our goals in life, and for me, this glorious hobby is a search for happiness it self...

I had some moments when I was in tears of happiness...

...hope you too find your sonic nirvana for not much money (buy used)...

Go vintage....I have spent a ton of money climbing the HiFi ladder but at the end of the day I have always preferred my vintage system. Sure it has its shortcomings but you won't be out a ton of money chasing the dragon .

Part of how I earn my keep is in branding and user marketing. Part of how audio is marketed is to incentivize the aficionado segment to "Chase the New." For example, the auto industry wants "Car Guys" to change their rides about every 4 years.

Audio is not much different. The Mid-Fi and High-End shops, whether online or brick-and-mortar, thrive via repeat business.

At the end of the day, the astute consumer needs to decide at what point a hobby is about acquisitiveness vs usage. It's not uncommon for an avid guitar collector to have 10+ guitars, even though you can only play one at a time (with a second in the wings when your D-String breaks :-) ). Many people find happiness owning things they never use. Go to www.timezone.com if you want to witness acquisitiveness taken to extreme levels. Personally, it's not my cup of tea, but if you can afford to play and it brings you happiness, who am I to judge?

Likewise, many enjoy "the hunt" more than the capture. If you are in this camp, then you might need to decide at some point whether you have reached a degree of critical mass. That, or you transition into to realm of "Hoarder."

I also like the suggestions from Elizabeth and Dopogue, and am eager to see if getting a horse and then putting it on a boat catches on.