I enjoy the best cap for upgraditis that any audiophile can have, it's called available cash flow, or lack of it thereof. This kicked me into making some rather interesting choices involving the purchase of some of my kit which is generally below the radar. Having said that it has been a very enjoyable journey culminating in what I consider to be the best system I have ever owned, and it hasn't cost me a mint. Because almost all the components I have owned over the past two and a half years have either been sourced from the secondhand market or ebay it has been a challenge to come up with a system that suits my taste. I've been through quite a lot of equipment during this period but I am getting close to journeys end now. I have reached a point where, with good recordings, the system just disappears leaving the music behind. I have never experienced this before and it is exhilarating.

I've not lost any friends to the hobby but I have gained quite a few like-minded friends so that's a bonus. Jealousy and oneupmanship is a human trait that can manifest in many situations and those who are susceptible to it generally display it in all aspects of their life.