So much truth in all the above. However, having returned to the high end audio hobby after a 40+ year absence I have found it necessary to turn to trusted, experienced, and knowledgeable people for guidance. I shudder to think what I might have ended up spending without it. OTOH, had I been more experienced and knowledgeable with contemporary high end home audio I might have ended up not spending so much upon my return to the hobby...maybe.
Yesterday, I did something I've managed to avoid for the last several months. I added up what I have spent and, additionally, am about to spend on the final pieces of my new audio system. I was actually a little shocked. So far, it's been kind of like closing my eyes and attempting to run across a busy street. But, had I been more knowledgeable I would have been more familiar with the countless brands and models of components and particularly the major bang for the buck components. This alone would probably have saved me a considerable amount of money. If you're detecting a little buyer's remorse you would be correct. I will have spent about 8 times my original budget. As I posted in another thread...I was so naive. I had and still have so much to learn.
However, having the guidance I had almost certainly assures me of having a world class system.....the first time through. I would likely have had quite a bit of turnover of components which could have easily cost me even more in the end, had I tried putting together a system on my own. I've already changed my mind several times regarding which components to buy, often because of the good advice I received. Supplement all the advice and recommendations with reading reviews, forums, and comparisons, and all those things have contributed to my being able to make a much better informed decision on components for my system.
One other thing that has been a positive factor in my decisions.....time. I started this adventure last February. It will conclude this coming January (2020) when I purchase the remaining components for my system. This alone has allowed me to sift through all the voluminous information on high end home audio. It has helped me to make the first time count.
Making the first time count. I think I would be fooling myself if I thought I would never purchase another high end audio component. But I turn 70 this January. I'm in good health as far as I know. I go to the gym almost every day. I have longevity in my genes. My mother lived to just shy of her 99th birthday and was living independently when she passed away of a stroke. I also have "shortivity" in my genes. My father, a life long, heavy smoker, died just short of his 68th birthday. His parents lived to their late '80s. So, who knows? My point being, I'm hoping there will be less need for component swapping with my new system. After all, I don't know how much longer I'm going to be around. Maybe decades still? We'll see. So far, I woke up alive this morning. One more day to enjoy my favorite hobby, music.
Thanks!