If thinking about upgrades and buying bits of kit makes you happy, then don’t worry about it. It’s better than a crack habit. But if it makes you unhappy you should deal with it, and maybe external support is required. One thing I know is that you can’t enjoy your music when focussed on the next upgrade, or when looking for faults. For most of my adult life I’ve had what is probably an unhealthy relationship with hifi, have fretted about it, upgraded, downgraded, extended myself beyond my means and as well as the highs have had deep lows. I now have a system that is almost impossible to upgrade incrementally and am really happy with it, despite it being much more modest than much I’ve had before. Maybe you have that sort of thing going on, maybe you don’t, and it’s worth taking the time to really understand what’s underlying the continuing dissatisfaction. Life’s too short to stress about something so unimportant.
Humans are hunters by nature. Five million years of hunting until the ‘invention’ of agriculture ten thousand years ago.
Hunting for life, money, love, knowledge, hi-fi has marked the upward surge of mankind.
There’s definitely an addictive nature to hifi. And though there are worse things to be addicted to, it doesn’t make it less important to understand if that’s what’s going on. As I think HH and others are also alluding to.
Personally I was happy for years with a NAIT3, inbuilt MM cards, a Systemdek IIXE turntable, Marantz CD player and Mordaunt Short speakers. 20 years.
I then went through CD5, XS3, Stageline N, Technics 1200G, Graham Slee Accession, Primare NP5, Chord Mojo, Chord Hugo, Chord TT2, NAC42.5/NAP110/HiCap.
Then I realised I was being silly. And also found myself being very fond of the CB amps. They really do sound fab, and with my current sources I now have no desire to upgrade. The system looks great to my eyes, and I find myself drawn to its aesthetic properties, and the fact it’s a classic Naim system. So I value things about it other than notions of what might be considered upgrades to it.
I realise my sources are also very very good, and better than what the vast majority of music lovers probably listen to music from. This is a rarefied atmosphere in here. It isn’t “normal” to spend so much on music reproduction equipment - in comparison to the majority of the population who listen to music.
I mean this in the nicest possible way, but I would have a quiet word with yourself about it. If you really want to keep looking then do so with some rules for stopping in mind. They can be anything, but do make some.
It could be fun to keep swapping, but maybe make a rule that it has to be cost neutral. Or that one box per year can be changed. Or one complete system change in 2 years.
Hope that helps, I’ll take no offense if it doesn’t! Good luck finding your answers regardless.
There is no end in this hobby. However when you have a well balanced system, as yours, it’s difficult and even risky to still upgrade it.
Your speakers, amps, digital source, ps, are complete now. It can be an endgame. Perhaps the 350 monos. But do you need them, do your speakers need them, it’s not sure.
Two things can be upgraded, in my experience, but other will have different point of views:
- high quality powerblock, as Chord S6 or M6, or Furutech. With a very good power cord to the wall.
- A good Ethernet switch : EE8 or LH audio for example.
Partly because of ill health but also because there’s simply no desire, other than for social reasons, to visit hi-fi shows, I haven’t even heard any of the NC range. Recently acquired a UnitiCore because I was never quite convinced the NAS was giving the fantastic NDX2 its best opportunity to shine. And the proof is in the listening, it’s sublime, so glad I took the opportunity. I guess the only thing which might have the credit card out is if the Xerxes dies, let’s hope not!
Its called the hedonic treadmill. There is immense pleasure in anticipation of a shiny new thing, a bit like a child anticipating christmas. Then initial enjoyment on acquiring it, followed by the niggling desire for something better. It’s what makes the world of commerce go round and is incurable unless you join the monks.
I don’t think it ever leaves. I’m really looking forward to some LP12 upgrades in the next few days, even now wondering what will be next 
Well I’m far from wise, but I do understand where you’re coming from. My current system gives me all I could want: emotional involvement, intellectual stimulation, connection to the musicians. I couldn’t really ask for more. But, but, but … I can’t help wondering what if I were to move up the ATC speaker line? Should I try a Klimax in place of my Selekt? I know the answer: in terms of musical satisfaction just listen to more music, go to more concerts rather than chase more boxes.
There are a few among us who get a system that satisfies and just stays for years and years without wishing for more. But if we’re honest, I think for most of us the instinct to improve our setup never goes away, at least not permanently. And if box upgrades become just too expensive, there’s always cables, supports, switches and the like to spend money on.
The hunt goes on.
Roger
I am using the Isotek Sigma V5 power management block along with their power cords. Fairly costly, but superb in lowering the noise floor which is often a problem in NYC apartments. It would be very difficult to change my Ethernet wiring, giving the apartment construction. I’ve upgraded what I can including racks.
The thrill is gone……for hifi at least - but not for music!.
OTOH camera gear is another issue 
If I dissect my upgrade passion, I realize it is not that simple. I started out with entry level NAD. When I could afford better, I moved to Spectral Audio DMC10 PRE and DMA50 amp and the required MIT cables. Lived with that system for 10 years. When Spectral stopped supporting the components, I moved to Ayre integrated and Ayre CDP. with their recommended Cardas cables. Had that system for 10 years. Had to change dealers. A new dealer moved me into an all Rega system, including Rega TT, Rega electronics and Rega speakers. A home renovation trashed the system. The dealer could no longer provide needed home support. Went back to my original (Sorctral ) dealer who steered me to Naim. The Spectral system included a Spectral MC cartridge and MIT power system.
It’s all about the dopamine hit
The “hunt and anticipation” for me was only ever for new or interesting or life changing music. There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with it being about the kit but, as @HungryHalibut noted, you might want to pause and examine why that feeling comes with kit or acquisition generally. Having outside perspectives on that is often remarkably enlightening.
Some conversations I had around this led me to the realisation that all I really wanted was hours lost in music ,and, the times I did that the most were as a teenager, young man in my 20s with less boxes, cables etc. It’s the old adage about the definition of stupidity being doing the same thing repeatedly but expecting a different outcome.
For me trying new/different gear is all part of the fun about this hobby. As someone said above, bringing home new shiny equipment is like Christmas morning for adults. The thrill does not go away, so to feed the urge I plan on exploring new bookshelf speakers that I can swap in now and then. Harbeth will be what I go with next, and I am actually excited about a road trip to my dealer to demo a few different pairs coz he is a rep.
I was going to be done acquiring upgrades but had some windfalls that made me consider some unobtainium upgrades. I already got the turnable. Now I am waiting on my third pair of REL S/510 to complete the six-pack, and I have another HRS EXR rack ordered to replace my remaining Fraim rack.
I told my dealer if anyone trades in a pair of Dynaudio Confidence C4 Platinum speakers I want first right of refusal. I already know someone local who wants my C2 Platinum.
Meanwhile I am full of joy playing records from my collection.
@NO-QUARTER How wide is your room? I had the small Harbeths, and they performed well in my narrow (11.5 foot wide) room. I had more difficulty with the larger M30 speakers which needed more space between the speakers and away from the side wall then my room could accommodate. Tonally I really liked the larger Harbeths. I found the smaller ones more revealing.. They are picky about stands.
It has plenty of room in the width, I think 18 feet or so. The depth is only about 11 feet, so I am near field listening. I only have one photo on my phone, I am at work right now. I just moved here in September, this is the only way to set things up because of outlets, window, door etc. Not sure if I would be able to just plonk them down in front of my DB7’s, or inside them a little. I don’t want to move my existing speakers, they sit on Townshend podiums.
I am not sure the Harbeths will work well with other speakers next to them. The Harbeth designer is very traditional. Look at their manuals and ask your dealer.
Maybe I could set them up at the right side of the room then, would have to substitute longer speaker cables when using them.
Can your dealer make a house call?