I'm 55 now and I've been "chasing-the-sound" since I was a teen. I'm a public school teacher with two kids in college so there's no a huge cash flow for stereo gear but, by searching Craig's List and Ebay, I have put together a pretty sweet system. I now have a mix of modern digital stuff and the best stuff I could never afford back in the '70's. But the best thing I have is a garage dedicated to the stereo, after a certain volume level, you are listening to the room just as much as the equipment. Now I can (and have) installed all kinds of sound treatments; bass traps in the corners, baffles at the first reflection points, diffusers behind the listening spot, etc., and, with the right recordings the sound can be great!
Am I satisfied? Am I done buying gear? Is this the end of my quest?
NOT A CHANCE!!!!!